Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-04-23
Quaint Old Alexandra.
BY E. r. Hutoh;ns. Rockville, Md.

BY e. r. Hutchins, Rockville, Md.
Yesterday, l took the trolley, crossed
the Potomac, and got off at Alexand-
ria. l imagine, comparatively few peo-
pie realize the important place this
quaint old city has in past history.
Marvelously interesting phases OF OLD
life are attached to this place. In
1908, it belonged to the Doag Indians,
as their hunting ground. Captain John
Smith. in his adventures for fortune,
passed by it, and was only stopped by
the falls of the Potomac. 1t was sold
(the land) in 1877, to John Alexander,
$500 pounds of tobacco. n a little
money.
In 1749, John Carlyle built tho Carlyle
house. In 1854, whilo Washington was
In command of the Virginia rangers.
an excited election contest occurred, be-
tween Mr.. Fairfax n Mr.. Payne, for
the house of burgesses. Washington
supported the former. There We're high
words passed between Washington and
Payne, and the latter knocked the
afterwards first in war etc. down.
The next morning, instead of a duel,
there We're the glasses n the de-
canter. Washington is said to have
said, Ito err is human. l was wrong
Mr.. Payne. but if you have had suffi-
cient satisfaction, let us be friends"
Always after this, they We're the warm
I SsG MINIS IL perhaps aISS
the first in peace part.
In 1878 Christ church vas built.
Many points of keenest interest are
centered In this old city. I notice but
three or four, each full of a lesson.
Tobacco-Built Churches.
First is old Christ church. In 1865.
This. then chapel, was started, and
Washington. then SO years old, was one
Of the IL vestrymen. A tax was i'm
I posed on the" ne rich of Of 4 or NV ~
tobacco. Part of this was to build the
church in Falls church, and the rest
Tor the Alexandria church. Oronoco
tobacco was a big commercial factor
In those days. Not only We're these two
churches built from the tobacco, but
the Mrst rector at the Alexandria
church got his first salary from it, being
bald 1880 pounds.
why shouldn't we smokers enjoy our
pipes, TX Marvel style, and let these
Meas Of church building and pastors
salary drift away in smoke?
After the church was ready for oc.
supancy, no attendant was more regu-
hr than Washington. and as / sat ir
me double pew once occupied by him.
Eell ana family, l thought Of what
marvellous outcome had been reachet
SINCE he stood in that pew and adyo.
Gated Withholding allegiance from Kinf
lIeorse. Just thing. nine years after
,'' "HSA independence had beer
declared, he arrived at Mount Vernon
on Christmas ave., and the next da,
round him in his seat In this pew. The
pulpit Is Just as it was then. There
afe the same galleries, the same chan
eel. the same baptismal font the tab
lets or the creed. the same communion
tapie, the same reading desk ant
cnalfs, n same solid brass chandelier
with its crystal prisms, the same frost.
sd windows. and the same oundin
poard that We're there in Washington;
tlme. Hallowed memories cluster with,
IN these sacred walls surely. wher,
the organ now is was the slaves gal
iery. | sat in another pew. that q
General Lee. AS a boy, with others h,
used to gather evergreens and hel,
decorate the church for Christmas sea
sons, On Saturday, April 20. 1861. tn,
resignation of Lee was received by tn,
government, and the next day he sa
IN ms pew for the last time.
Women were thought in those III,
days to have been of some Importance
Tor IN the selection Of the first sex
ton; Susannah Edwards was chosen
and always preceded the member
OF the congregation up the aisle. 10
eating each family in it's respectiy,
pew. according to dignity"
NOW, and for 141 years. this dear oil,