Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-11-28

condition it was in Jefferson's day This is the
result Of years Of search for its original furnish
ings, and a visit to this great mansion is replete
with memories of him who fashioned it and
brought for its decoration the works of the
greatest artisans of France.
Timely interest attaches to Monticello because
Of the active efforts of Mrs. Martin w. LttIeton
and others to prevail upon congress to buy the
estate, while Mr.. Levy is determined to retain
it, both because of the 10 ling care bestowed upon
the property by his family and the fact that the
public enjoys admission to it as fully and freely
as though it were owned by the nation.
Down at ShadweI which lies in the valley of
the Rivana river two miles from the foot of the
little mountain, where jefferson lived when a
lad, they still relate the story Of the boys ambi-
ton to day build a beautiful home on the
top OF the mountain that OvershadOwed the low
land wherein was his parental home. and how,
finally he came into possession of Monticello and
realized one of his bOyish dreams.
The great dome of the mountain did not offer
sufficient room for the mansion he had conceived,
and ten years of labor with head heart and
hands elapsed before the crest of the hill had
been IeveIed. Seven years more it took to crown
this man-made plateau with the magnificent man
sion to which presidents. princes and the people
have made common pilgrimage to pay homage
to the memory of the man whose wonderful mind
and tireless energy found time from the affairs
Of state to evolve one Of the most remarkable
specimens Of ColoniaI. architecture in existence.
Monticello lies about two miles south and five
miles west of the busy little town of Charlottes-
vile, and it is upgrade every inch Of the way
Through a typical Virginia town YOU soon
strike into road barren Of houses on either side
and you learn from this the first lesson Of what
the present owner has done to preserve the
sanctity of the Jefferson home and estate. From
close to the town boundary hundreds of acres on
both sides of the road have been bought by
AIr. Levy Ito prevent" as he puts it. the build
ms Of any shaCks on the approach to Monticello
Soon you drop to the level of ripping creek
that skirts the base Of Monticello to reach the
Rivana river and then begins the cIimb-wind-
ing turning. twisting around the face of the hill
under Cverarching trees growing so closely to-
gether that the sky is visible only in patches.
For three miles this road which was surveyed
and laid out by jefferson, rises steeply toward
Monticello until 2 sharp turn brings the visitor
between massive brick pillars at the gatekeep-
/ ers lodge
When the visitor has passed into the inclosed
\ grounds the gatekeeper follows up the road
I few yards where to the right, hangs a big brass
( bell that jefferson placed there to announce the
! arrival Of guests. Neither by day nor by night
/ has any one ever passed through those gates
/ whose presence has not been announced to those
/ in the big house above" by the ringing Of this
/ bell quaint custom that has survived q century
! and half
turn of road brings into view the old burial
+ grounds Of the Jefferaon family where lie the
mortal remains Of Thomas Jefferson. his wife
-lotIcr, sisters ana other members of the Jefer-