The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1921-02-25

tourists. Mt Vernon. of course IL the Washing
ton shrine and II will continue to be that long
as the republic endures. II the Virginia
home on the Potomac 10 which Washington took
his bride; there he mnde plans for his life work.
plans that rudely shattered by the events
Of later years II was from that refuge that he
went forth To command the armies OF the Revo-
luton. and II from the secluson of that
attractive place that he answered the call TO be
President. He returned To the old home
firing from office, and there he died. and there
his bones lie
When the national capital city was laid out,
and for many decades afterward, Ait Vernon
was looked upon as long why's orr from the
capital. II Is only seventeen niles away. Today
there are three ways Of reaching Mt. Vernon
by boat. by electricity. By automobile. II is an
easy hours travel from the business center of
Washington. With these facilities the number of
visitors Inns greatly increased II Is believed the
time Is not far distant when million and half
of tourists will annually visit Mt Vernon
III you should happen TO be In Mt. Vernon
the I'D of February you would. In Imagination,
see Washington US he went about his country place
on his birthday. "rhe very atmosphere speaks
to you of him. said a distinguished Frenchman.
Visitors marvel at the faithfuness with which
the buildings ana their contents and the grounds
have been preserved. There have been, OF ne
cessity. some requirements. but speaking In
broad way things are they when Wash.
Ington last looked upon them One almost
see the house cat coming out of the hole under
the door TINT led to the room occupied by Mrs.
Washington. Aud what a sense of comfort one
gets as he sits In an easy chair the veranda
and looks out over the POTOMAC aud across the
river TO the hills of Maryland jtst as Washington
did NO wonder Washington did not wish to
leave the place to be President OF his coun-
try. one SAYS TO himself.
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Aid society continues
TO care for the Mt. Vernon home and lands The
a ia ,tf STRAIT ttuHa 90
for preserving the property. Years ago when II
was about To fall Into the hands OF private spec
ulators this society was formed and II has done
It's work we'll Many persons believe however.
that congress should buy the estate In the name
OF the government and throw II open TO the public.
Always under the management OF the Aid society
a nominal charge for Ambulance has been made.
Many of the visitors iinger In the country about
the old Washington home. or course one who
knew the Washington family Is now living. but
there plenty OF descendants Of the old families
In the nelghborhood who delight TO talk OF the
old days The countr, side has not changed much
In 10 years. Many houses built while Washing.
ton was alive still stand. Three miles south OF
Mt. Vernon the old fohick tEplscopaD church In
which Washington frequently worshlped Is still
occupied by the Episcopal congregation. Within
the last Ave years the interior OF the old build.
Ing has been restored ard today visitors may look
on the decorations precisely as they were when
Washington attended
Passing time has not served to take away any
Of the Washington atmosphere about the old city
Of Alexandria. seven miles south of the national
capital and on the road TO Mt Vernon The first
thing IN. writer Is told Is that Washington did
lot for US" He established our public school
system says the local guide. and he gave our
first Are department. lie always doing some
thing for US Foremost OF the Washington show.
places in Alexandria is old Chris. church. OF
which Washington was a member for some 70
years. The church building Of brick has been
preserved unchanged. The pew that Washington
occupied Is reserved every Sunday for strangers
who may happen along nj the service hour. The
old sexton win be certain TO relate numerous
stories ofsthe frst President lie will. first Of all
tell you how Washington always up from
Mt Vernon on horseback. followed by his faith
full black hodyguard in n bright red uniform:
how after services Washington was likely TO linges
In the ehurch-yard to talk with his country neigh
bors, and how II was frequently necessary for