Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-14
FATE OF HISTORIC
HOUSE IN NEW YORK
h"ck OF Patriotic Foresight Deprives
'hs OF IteinininE Dwelling In
which Monroe Died.
ny MADGE ARTHUR.

NEW YORK, Dec. l3.-Announce.
ment of the sale last month at suc.
tiCn Of the housc in which President
James Monroe died on the Fourth Of
Juiy: 1881. was made by several OF
inc New YORK papers, coupled with eN-
prcSsions OF regret that the efforts Of
certain patriotic societies TO secure it,
had failed
The residence mad been lHfcrred 10
as the. odd Gourerncur Mansion" and
when ] read that the successful bidder
had paid si3S,o09 for the property, /,
was natural 20 conclude--sncc lts
site was in 4 somewhat forlorn section
of the city-that it must be rather
pretentious dwelling and We'll worthy
NOTHING could have been more dis
iliusioning TO ones ideas OF old time
srSndcur. than this visit. II the house
which Samuel Gouvcrncur (who mad
married President Monroc's eldest
1aushter) built on Prince Street in
70 70. vas regarded as mansion in
Workers. toward ''palatial res!dcnces''
must indeed OF have been limited Mr.
TTonncrncur Was postmaster or New
York AT the time, and had married into
inc inner White House circles, never
theless the nous" that he erected is Of
pam brick. only basement and Two
stories IN height: Wit, a couple o.
lts' slaniins roof. 1t may nave been
most honestly constructed, but i; can
noi ne said to- have withstood the
gree or success. the doorway, of Col
onial design. is falling apart. and the
S Sons steps leading up 20 1t have so
nave been compelled 10 lay over them a
supcrstructure OF wood.
rms historic residence is a, present
ichanicd by dealer in rags and in it's
onT,ement is junk shop. An almost
ob!i;eraiod sign shows that its upper
stor! was once used as a billia rtl
Just above one OF the former parior
windows. IL Il bronze tablet contain
ing text which is Of no possible use
10 passcrs- o., since il is too small 20
DC read--sn fact, the tablet looks more
Ike weather stain on the bricks,
i ma, any form Of mural decoration.
were able to read the inscription, YOU
would discover that it sets forth Tho
claim Of James Monroe 20 be :cmem-
ine doctrine upon which depends The
, freedom OF American republics and he
safety ot tho United states AGAINST
/ foreign aggression"
This tablet-made no doub, al CON
! siderable eNpense-was unveiled en-
AprM IS. 1909, The Hundred and Forty
Presideni Brigadier -General Freder
lex D. Grant made the chief address
ana. as have discovered through news
pWaprr MES many prominent New
orkers wore present, Including the
How long, wonder, did these
"ca,tHE gentlemen think this tribute
10 Monroe would be allowed 70 retain
itr place among the street Ssns NJ
New York? Tho old house obviously
was failing 10 pieces for lack of re-
pairs and attention. They mus, hav.
known mat no private owner of inc
property could long count upon lis rem.
tai 10 pay fair interest upon tbs
value OF the land which 1t stands II
s!dered the proper place from WIN
10 emplazon in letters Of bronze IL
Growning glory Of his lifes wosk, why
against the inevitable destrnrt;on '',
mat house unless its ownership va.
secured by them and other Dcreon.
s .E moved by The spirit OF
american PATRIOTISM What was the
good OF a temporary ia rIct? Tb., -
what am endeaVorias TO discover
Ihe moment saw this shabby liz :