The Colorado statesman., 1919-09-13
BY EDWARD 3. CLARK.


Washington and its environs. 1t
is left for the casual visitor, the sight
seer, to learn of this town and all that
1t and its neighborhood hold of historic
interest.
1t is n safe wager that there are
many senators and representatives
now sitting under the dome of the
capitol who never have visited Mount
Vernon, the residence and the place
of burial of George Washington.
Washington has hundreds of visitors
at all seasons, people who have come
here to see the places of interest, and
who in advance have prepared lists
of the things which they feel that they
must see. These visitors do the thing
as thoroughly as 1t can be done within
the time which they allot for their
stay. There are men and women, and
even children, living in distant parts
OF the country who know more about
Washington than do some of its resi-
dents, temporary and permanent.
BIadensburg Is Historic.
Close to the city of Washington
there is a place called Bladensburg.
In many stories of the political and
warlike events in which the city of
Washington figures, Bladensburg
looms large 1t was there that the un-
organized militia of the United States
was met and overrun by the British
troops in their advance on Washing
ton, at the time they captured the city
and burned the capitol and the White
. House.
Bladensburg is a historic place Cor
other reasons. 1t was a great dueling
ground in the old days when men were
bent on settling disputes on what they
called the field of honor. 1t was to
Bledensburg that Stephen Decatur
went in the gray of the morning one
hundred years ago to meet in person
al pistol combat Commodore Barron
Of the United States navy. On the
field of Bladensburg the great sailor,
Stephen Decatur, fell mortally wound
ed by a bullet from his adversary's
weapon. The Decatur house. built and
occupied by the sailor. still stands in
the city of Washington.
Out Seventh street way and well
within the city are the remains of Fort
Stevens. When the Confederate gen.
eral, Early, threatened the city from
the northeast, troops were hurrledly
brought to the city and Fort Stevens
was manned. After a smart skirmish
the Confederates retreated. Abraham
Lincoln, then president of the United
States, went out to Fort Stevens to
witness the fight. He stood exposed
fer some time to the Confederate Ire.
Fort Stevens and its historic interest
seem nearly forgotten today. except
by the men and women who come here
from distance to see Washington.
Where Braddock Landed.
Probably not many persons in Wash
ir gton, lawmakers, office holders or
residents, know that General Braddock
landed his forces from barges on the
Potomac at a point well within the
p1esent limits of the city, and from
there marched on his unfortunate cam
paIgn into western Pennsylvania, ac-
companied by the young surveyor sol
der, George Washington. The place
where Braddock landed Is known as
Prsddock's Rock. and its location Is
we'll defined on the maps and in the
histories.
Arlington, the home of the Custises
and later of Robert E. Lee, Is now
great national cemetery. Arlington, to
be sure, is in Virginia, but 1t Is within
ten minutes ride of the city of Wash
inpton. The view down the Potomac
from Washington is unsurpassed for
beauty. Thousands upon thousands OF
the nations dead lie buried under
the great trees. The old colonial man
sion of the Custises and the Lees still
stands. In 1t Robert e. Lee was mar
ried to Miss Custls, and 1t was there
in later years. that he decided to cas-,
his lot with the Confederacy. Airing
ton Is more or less neglected by the
temporary and permanent residents oi
th. CITY of Washington, but the visitors
from distance go to the beautifu
place in thousands at all seasons.
of burial of George Washington.
First U. S. Army Plane Decade Ago
Major General Menoher, head of thu
air service, sent telegram to OrVill'
Wright the other day, the occasion De
ing the tenth anniversary OF the de
livery of the first airplane to the gov
ernment of the United States. Int
telegram read as follows:
"The congratulations of the air serv
ice are extended to you on the tent
anniversary of the delivery of tn
first airplane to the government
the United States, first in the world t
acquire dynamic aircraft. The al
service appreciates to the full tn
ever-increasing debt owed by mankin'
to the Wright brothers, whose fore
sight, indefatigable research and prae
teal application have aided worl'
progress through the Invention OF
new means of communication"
II was about decade ago that th'