Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-10-24

Fredericksburg, Va, Oct. 21.-If a
city can have a hobby, the hobby OF
Fredericksburg is certainly its historic
past. It has been claimed hat Fred
ericksburg has more ancient, reminis-
cent, and historical buildings than any
other town Of its size in the country,
and the claim, we are told, has stood
~unrefuted. ,i-
Fredericksburg's patriotic and an
tiquarian societies have delved into
records and they have r~everently pre-
served what they could OF the ancient
buildings about which traditions cling.
The result is that an historic atmos-
phcrc overspreads the town dow. to
the very edge Of the business district,
where automobiles; drygoods, and
groceries are being sold in lively,
twtntieth century fashion. Outside
of these bustling streets Fredericks-
burg Is a beautiful, quiet old place
with attractive homes set in old-fash-
Toned gardens, and with the Kappa
hammock flowing by at one side.
The river mas it's share Of historic
association, especially at this point
This is the place where Washington
threw a stone-or as some b%iograph-
ers say, a Spanish dollar-across, and
then swan over after 1t. The course
OF the Rappahannock has changed
considerably, so that the feat can no
longer be estimated, though it stands
or record as q most difficult achieve
ment. =" .a sl# ts&H /,
This is the river, too. up which Cap
tain John Smith sailed in 1903 and 1t
was near here that he was attacked
by the fierce Rappahannock Indian
tribe. y
A little more than a century later
in 1882 George Washington was born,
and the same year Fredericksburg
became an incorporated city. A few
more years and George was attend
ing Parson Marye's school in Fred
ericksburg. r.
George Washington made history in
more than one house IN this Virginia,
town. Lafayette stopped at several
houses on his visits here. Patrick
Henry, James Monroe. Charles Dick
among the other noted visitors. But
the most picturesque Of all the ia
nous folk about whom Fredericks-
burg citizens repeat old anecdotes is
Mary Ball Washington, mother of the
kFather of his Country.
The Mary Ball house Is n Of the
main sights of the place. 1t is a mod
est, cream-colored rame residence a
story and q half in height. with DOR
mer. windows projecting from the alb
ruptlY sloping roof. 4
Gabled Roofs Explained.
Why.a house should ever have been
built with a sloping second story like
this it is hard for us to imagine. The
explanation is that at one time a tax
was levied on all two story houses and
builders evaded the tax by construct
ing steep gabled roofs over an attic
story.
Most historians sAy. that Mary
Washington moved into this colonial
restd ence when her son George was
43 years old. It is certain that she
spent the last 3ears OF her life here.
Her sons rise. to fame made no diff
knew no excdse for idleness. and SO
long as her strength permitted she
continued& to weave. bake. and direct
her small retinue Of servants.
She drove daily in q gig across the
Rappahannock to the farm on which
her children had spent their child
hood. "a spot on Main street IS still
pointed out as the place where Mrs.
Washington always stopped her car
riagc In order to. drink a toddy. After
taking this stlmulant she would direct
her driver to proceed to the farm,
where she went about inspecting the
for her home garden. a jug OF water
from The spring outSof which her, hus-
band and children had once been ac-
Icustomed to drink was also carried
back to town regularly BY Mrs. WASH
tington. / SSss 4 {
When lafayette came to pay his re-
lspects to the mother 8 his great
friend. M.s. Washington, then m old
woman. ~ found busily burning