The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-09-15
BUYS WASH|NGToN'S HEADQUARTERS
TO PRESERVE IT TO THE NAT IN
Messmore Kendall Takes Possession of the Historic Hose At
0obbs Ferry New York. Where Famous Military Paey Was
Held After Battles Of the Revolution Ended-May
Restore 1t and Give 1t to the Nation

New York.-A few days ago a yonn
American heard that Washington
headquarters at Dobbs Ferry wouI
be sold within "a hours to brewer
who intended to turn this hiStori
5plnce into a roadhOuse. The America
had been fascinated. even as a boy il
Michigan. with the old woodcut repre-
sentatiOn In Prescott's "HiStory of TN
United/Stntes." showing the house II
which General Washington, Sir Gu,
Carleton. then commander in chief 0
the British army, and Governor Gin
ton met ON May 3, 1883. after the sus
pension OF hostilities. to settle tn,
terms for the disbanding Of the two
armies.
1t was the only time these distin
guished gentlemen ever Met. The pa
pers there signed Obligated the British
to give up all claim upon the allegi
ance and control of the country. gave
freedom to a nation. and initiated a
remarkable test of republican institu
tons. BY some the house has been
called the birthplace Of the United
States" The young American. Mess.
more Kendall. of this city. when lie
heard that the historic place might
be used for undesirable purposes.-di
not rest until he had bought the house
and Its 81 acres for 100000. He may
give It to the state or nation. but not
until he has spent $4,000 to restore
1t, says the New York Times.
The inscription on monument
placed near the house on June ID.
1894, by the New York State Society.
Sons of the American Revolution. re-
lates that here on August IA. 1881.
Washington planned the Yorktown
campaign. which brought to trium-
plant end the war for American indie
pendence. And that opposite this
point, May 8. 1888, British sloop of
war fred II guns in honor of the
American commander. In chief, the
first salute by Great Britain to the
United States of America.
Memorable Conference.
The memorable conference which
was fraught with such significance and
led to the evacuation Of American soil
by British troops lasted several days,
and during that time the Dobbs Ferry
house was carefully guarded by sew
eral companies of soldiers, while
messengers carried dispatches
hourly to the Continental and British
camps.
Mr.. Kendall, who is a lawyer, spent
last winter in France, and became sur
charged with its patriotism. His stock
s American from early days. At the
1rst call for volunteers in the RevOlu-
ionary war. 1863 kendalls responded
Ind did their bit. MessmOre Kendalls'
neutrality-suspicious., DR.. Joseph
soodhue by name, was at one time
surgeon general of the Revolutionary
army. His grandfather. Col. Il. F..
Messmore. organized the Fourteenth
Wisconsin volunteer infantry regiment.
fought ull through the Civil war, be-
came Judge of the supreme court Of
served as member Of con-
,ress for several years, and received a
etter from General Hancock when
that man believed he would be made
president of the United States, Offer
ng Colonel Messlnore, in that event,
the post of secretary of the interior.
MesslnOre Kendall, who was born in
Grand Rapids. Mich, in 1872. has u
record of his own. He herded cows
in the Yves. and, after being gradu-
ated from Columbia university. was
secretary to United States Senator
John l.. Wilson. and later to Bellalny
Storer. former minister to Austria
Hungary. As attorney for Jennie NJ.
Legs. Mr.. Kendall recovered u verdict
against the New York Central railroad
for $lOO.OOO. said to be the largest ver-
dict on record in personal injury &C.
ton. He organized the Braden Cop
per company. which Is now part OF the
Kennecutt Copper company. one OF the
largest corporations Of its kind.
Beats the Brewer to It.
He had. in a word. the patriotism
and the means, and everything con-
spired to arouse within him keen In
terest in the fate Of the Washington
headquarters at DObbs Ferry. Mr..
Kendall had long known the history OF
the place. and while motoring by the
quaint, rambling house fronting the
old post road, over which the stage
to pass, he noticed that
It seemed more neglected than ever,
and that several signs on the trees
that the property was In
The hands Of real estate agents. Fol-
owing'a sudden inspiration and the
advice Of one Of the signs, Mr.. Kendall
1rove to the real estate office of James
l.. Taylor at Dobbs Ferry and an
bounced that he felt like buying WASH
ngton's headquarters. Mr. Taylor In
formed him that brewer had first
claim on the property. being expected
that afternoon. when papers were to
be signed. and that what had been
called the: birthplace Of the United
States would soon BIG prosperous
'oadhouse. Mr.. Kendall did not sleep
until he got It. Now he Is going to
put the house into the hands of artists
and architects. who will make 1t look
IS II did In the days when cannon balls
rom the enemy's gunboats lodged In
he cherry trees. "a few of these
are still to be seen around
he place. After the restoration Mr.:
Kendall will decide whether ne viii
slve the house to the state or nation.