The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-02-17

tourists. Mt. Vernon, of course, is the Washing
ton shrine and it will continue to be that so long
as the republic endures. It the Virginia
home the Potomac to which Washington took
his bride; there he made plans for his life work,
plans that were rudely shattered by the events
of later years. 1t from that refuge that he
went forth to command the armies of the ReyO-
luton. and it from the secIusion 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, Mt. Vernon
looked upon long ways OFF, from the
capital 1t is only seventeen miles away. Today
there three ways of reaching Mt Vernon
by boat, by electricity. by automobile. 1t is an
easy hours travel from the business center of
Washington. With these facilities the number of
visitors has greatly increased. 1t is believed the
time is not far distant when million and half
of tourists will annually visit Mt. Vernon.
If you should happen to be in Mt Vernon
the 22d Of February you would, in Imagination,
see Washington he went about his country place
his birthday. 1.-The very atmosphere speaks
to you of him. said distinguished Frenchman
Visitors marvel at the faithfuIness with which
the buildings and their contents and the grounds
have been preserved. There have been, of
cessity, some requirements but speaking in a
broad way, things they were when Wash
ington last looked upon them. One almost
see the house cat coming out OF the hole under
the door that led to the room occupied by Mrs.
gets as he sits in an easy chair on the veranda
and looks out the Potomac and across the
river to the hills of Maryland, just as Washington
did! mo wonder Washington did not wish to
leave the place even 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
country owes a debt of gratitude to this society
for preserving the property. Years ago when it
was about to fall into the hands of private spec
uators this society was formed and it has done
its work we'll Many persons believe, however,
that congress should buy the estate in the name
of the government and throw it open to the public
Always under the management of the Aid society
a nominal charge for admittance has been made
Many of the visitors Inger in the country about
the old Washington home. OF course no one who
knew the Washington family is living, but
there are plenty of descendants of the old families
in the neighbOrhood who delight talk Of The
old days. The countryside has not changed much
In 120 years Many houses built while Washing
ton was alive stiTl stand. Three miles south of
Mt Vernon the old Pohick (EpiScOpaD church in
which Washington frequently worshiped is still
occupied by the Episcopal congregation. Within
the last five years the interior of the old build
ing has been restored and today visitors may look
the decorations precisely they were when
Washington attended.
Passing time has not served to take away any
of the Washington atmosphere about the old city
of Alexandria, miles south of the national
capital and the road to Mt. Vernon. The first
thing the writer is told is that Washington Ibid
lot for u.s.. He established our public school
system says the local guide land he gave US our
first fire department. He was always doing some
thing for US" Foremost of the Washington show
places In Alexandria is old Christ church of
which Washington was a member for some 40
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 at the service hour The
old sexton will be certain to relate numerous
stories of the first President. He will first Of all
tell You how Washington ALWAYS came nm from
Mt Vernon horseback, followed by his faith
fuI black bodyguard in a bright red uniform
how after services Washington was likely to linger
in the church-yard to talk with his country neigh
bors. and how It was frequently necessary for