Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1913-10-03
A SAIL FROM WASH
INGTON TO n. Y.
BY FoRREsT STUART.

III FN'AAthAol o1GAhEs
The last Of August passed slowly
and it was with sigh of relief that
II leaned back in comfortable chair mp
on the upper deck of the steamer South
land the evening of the 3Ist. A couple
of friends came ON board. gave me some
good advice as how to behave IN large
city and a few minutes afterwards they
disappeared across the gang plank.
The whistle blew and at o'clock the
boat was gliding gracefully down the
Potomac river.
The slower Of natural scenery is inspired
as be looks upon the beautiful green
shores of Maryland and Virginia At
Arlington, four miles away ON the Vir-
ginia hills across the Potomac, sleep six
war between the states, and the white
pillars of the Curtis-Lee mansion stare
solemnly through a small opening in
the surrounding trees. The Arlington
house was built In 1902 by George
Washington Parke Curtis. whose wild
owed mother became the wife Of GEN
eral Washington. Upon the death Of
Curtis the property descended to Mary
Curtis Lee. wife of General Robert E.
Lee. and to whom he was married In
1881, In the drawing room where today
all visitors TO Arlington register their
names. In 1861 Lee assumed command
Of the Confederate forces and the Fed
eral troops established g camp at Ar
lington, later it became q hospital, aud
when other available cemetery
grounds no longer sufficed for the bur-
ial OF the dead the level plateaus and
grassy slopes were devoted TO It's pres
ent purpose. The first grave was pre-
pared for Confederate prisoner who
died in the hospital. The property was
sold In 1854 for taxes and the Govern
ment purchased IL for $4,000. In 1877
the title was established by the heirs Of
Lee and the claim was adjusted by The
government upon payment Of $3.50, 600.
Fort Myer is located \ short distancs
west Of Arlington and the dull boom Of
the morning and evening gun can D,
head each bay by residents 10 the Cap
ital. Some Of the best horsemen in th.
United States are stationed at this post
half an hour later we made brie
stop at the historical old city Of Alex
ondria, Va, five miles south OF Wash
ington. Among the notable points o
! intrest In Alexandria may be mentioned
. the residence Of Lord Thomas Fairfax
the Carlyle house, where the celebrate,
congress of Alexandria was held be
: tween the Colonial Governors and Gen
I Braddock. and where Washineton re
eeiVed his commission: the old Chris
: Church where Washington worshipped
the engine house Of old Friendship Fir
: Company of which Washington was
! prominent member; the old city hote
! from whose steps Washington gave hi
o last military orders; and the Alez
g andria- Washington Masonic lodge 9
which Washington was master. Many Q
+ the streets are paved with cobbleston
laid by Hessian prisoners Of war, upde
e direction OF General Washington. TIL
city has made little progress during ii
: last hundred years and has 3 haunte
e appearance.
Fourteen miles south Of Washingto
the Virgins shores rise suddenly TO
commanding height and at the SUNNI
{ a quaint old structure lifts its msjest
walls above the trees, lawns and magn
ls fcient flower gardens that surround
e The scene looks familiar even to ii
= stranger. who after few moments r
d Fiction realizes that he - looking upc
y the original Of a picture that wi
= painted in his mind during his ear
e school dayes. II u Mount Vernon. Il
Is home Of George Washington. There
y sn indescrlbahle charm about the o