The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-09
NATION INTERESTED
IN VIRGINIA FIGHT
FOR WILLS RETURN
Daughters Of Revolution May
Take Up Matter and Render
Moral and Financial Aid in
Campaign.
Other Records Than Will Of
Martha Washington Stolen
During War. Many Of Which
Were Recovered. Similar
Case is Pending.

Ease Is TendlnR.
Nationwide interest has been
broused by the efforts Of Fairfax
county Va. to have re.1rned to il the
viii Of Martha Washington, stolen
from its records during the War Be-
tween the States. and various associa-
ions are considering joining Virginia
u her fight Falls Church chapter
2. A. r., will ask the national asso-
eiauon TO take the matter up and to
render moral and financial assistance
II the national organization OF the
Daughters of the American Reyo-
ndon begins campaign for the sur
tender OF the document by Mr.. Morgan
degree OF public sentiment is likely
20 De created which he may find /,
affficult to resist. notwithstanding the
view he Is quoted In dispatches as hay-
ing expressed to the effect that the
stolen will constituted war loot
which his father. the late j. Pierpont
Morgan. Sr., was justified In purchas-
ing and holding. in accordance with
the custom OF nations and the conse-
Quence OF war------------
Many Interested.
While those who arc interested I'm
the eventual disposition OF the docu-
ment are awaiting the introduction in
the Virginia Legislature Of a measure
proposed by State Senator r. Ewell
Thornton. of Fairfax, calling on the
Virginia attorney general to move
against Mr.. Morgan. dispatches are
coming from various sections OF the
country In regard to the will and Sim
liar cases Of missing historic docu-
ments.
Direct descen iants of Martha
Washington are said to have held a
reunion In St. Louis TO made arrange.
ments to file claim to part OF the es-
tate left by the wife of the first presi
dent, based on evidence which they
declare Is now available through the
finding OF the will in Mr. Morgan's
library. Martha Washington was ons
Of the weaithiest women OF her time
and Miss Anita Bourgeoise. OF ST
Louis. Is said to be about TO file d
claim against the estate and to be
about To endeavoring to compel the
production of the will In court
Fairfax courthouse lies ten mile,
north of the battlefield OF Bull Run
and 1t Is said that during the Civl
war. when the headquarters OF tht
Union army. under General Mcdowell
was located there. a number of othe,
important historical documents were
carried Off General Mcdowell Is said
TO have punished number OF his
soldiers. but TO no avail. One of the
~recoris SO carried OF and later re-
turned proved to tbe the minute book
az the colonial court for the year 1850
and In It. on page 4s3, there lis re-
port OF a grand Jury which is con.
8ldered by some to be reflection ol
George Washfngton's veracity. Tht
following Is a copy OF that record. -
May n. 1850. We present Georgt
William Fairfax. George Washington
John Carlyle. George Mason and
Abraham Jones for not entering theil
wheeled carriages agreeably to tbs
Law. a appears to US by the list de,
nvered to the clerk Of the county"
Word Meant Tndict-
According to Walter Oliver. Fair,
4 fAx lawyer. tho word present" was 4
technical word OF the old colonial Law
and was equivalent to the word ''in
dict" now IN use.
THE presentment of these men TO,
+ failure to enter their carriages" Mr.
Oliver said. was the colonial eau,va
lent OF a modern indictment for tax
lodging
The George William Fairfax men
toned was a cousin Of Lord Fairfax
The George Mason mentioned was tn,
\ celebrated author OF the Virginia "bii
Of rights"
The old minute book weighs thirt,
,.c,,rN. n ~. carried or nv y Penn
.sryv.srs. scldier several wears aro Il,
U S-cs. . ~ u Rirhanxiaon count,
a r1.,s ~ rairfar county an,I offered I.
s~s,,rr II Sar Sion. The offer 10 pa,
r,nnav Tar n was refused later
saS.ss .ha .o,S,.r dtea the hook wa,
-~ss,-rsd nv rhs nrrhata nudge VIII.
49, .ds,,,r ;.tersa his astafe learn
i,s~ ~. source of the hook he hat
rsre,..rtoriiv ordered Il returned
IL ~ ane IN this section Of the coun
~, .r r knows how Inc Mar
~. Ws.h,r rtor NIL, 81 IN M Nor
80 - cnIIert,ons n Il Snnnosed tina
49, - cancraI NcDowciTs soldier
Wy a. =.
os CO.. S.e,ars rc..,r,ents
rba STATS ~ virginia n recen
wears mas been constantly on Inc aier