Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-06-21
From Fort Washington.

Editor Register Again VIII try tol
contribute few items To your paper,
and through it, to my friends.
This writing finds us still enjoying
the comforts of army life, and view
ing the beautiful scenery In and
around the city of Washington, ID. c.
Last Sunday we visited Mount Ver-
non, on the Potomac, the home OF
George Washington. The trip WAS
very interesting and afforded us the
opportunity of seeing many historical
places, We left Fort Washington at
S.l5 on the "McAilister, a tourist
boat, and landed at Mount Vernon
, three quarters of an hour later.
The first glimpse wo had OF the
homestead was view of the mansion.
| This view, seen from the river, is very
impressive. The suns rays SHINING
on the early dew of the green grass in
the reservation, reminds one OF many
! sparkling diamonds, strewn among the
grasses.
AS the steamer turns to the wharf
one catches glimpse OF Belvoir. just
beyond the Mansion, and Gunston
Hall, the scat of George Mason, Is not
far below.
At the point of the river where
Washington had his private wharf,
the Mount Vernon Association has
built beautiful landing. IL il butt
of stone resembling BRICK Ill
structure but OF a bronze color Inc
entrance from the boat is closed by q
gate guarded constantly by police
man. The sides arr open, fenced IN
with railings, and the top is formed
in the shape OF a bell. Landing here,
we walked up gentle ascent, to his
tomb, and looked upon his vault, also
that OF his wife. There were near
1900 people awaiting TO see the same,
= 80 we had to leave before We had
! looked upon it as long as we wished,
| The tomb is built Of brick, as specified
, in his viii, which also marked the site
Of the tomb. No changes are allowed
to be made.
Passing from the tomb, We walked
i up the gravel driveway, past the
0 ancient barn to the summer house
u for q little rest Most visitors prefer
It to take this route. Passing this way
y the atmosphere of the consecrated
r spot quickeus the imagination. The
mansion, with it's grand portlco an1
g coionnade, stands ont in beauty. !
II would seem that Washington and hi'
Il lady and their guests might be within
al From the summer house, near the
ha ha. or sunken wall, overlooking
x the deer park. Washington could not
a. the leading OF his bargee. as the.
, came and went from his prIVat
A' wharf. while the bell in the cupol
N marked the hours ot labor. Th
IN restoration of the ha-ha is a recen
in work done with the brick remaining
from the Old wall.
IN Passing from the porch through wild
~. open doors, we came into the Oh
IN kitchen. Here we saw the big ire
~ place with its dog irons and pot
II hangers. 1t is built at the front en-
II Of tie kitchen, next the Library.
ss- is my estimation, 10 feet long an
eight feet high. Here also we ba
to the ancient "Iire boardn dishes. an
n. tables. His rifle and and "sht
es pouch" hang above the fire side, lns
he as they hung when he was alive to uS
of them. :.
in The grounds and garden are care
fully cared for and they are heaut
fully decorated with beautiful flower
la. OF all colors.
" The accommodation given to vi
I" itors are praise worthy. The eHtran'
fee of 25 cents gees to keep up III
Ne place and to pay men to care tor
A restaurant is open at the outside I
* the reservation, and cne can g.
*. lunches at all hours.
of IN all this broad land believe the
ia no such charming, restful a,
-, sacred place as Mount Vernon.
n' Washington delighted IN beaut'i,
i"' ing his place. He loved it's trees,
garden ard box hedges. But the
,ss was no pomp and circumstance
,ss tilicial life, only the unostentatio
$. home Of Virginia gentlemen.
OF simplicity and its calm repose are t
secret of its wondrous charm.
We returned on the same boat at
u" p. NJ. filled with the beauty OF t
scenery, and with n determination
et. make Il our Sundays home.
us. Respectfully.
TO ROLAND u, STEVENSON
Fort Washington, Md, June 10, ~