Evening star., 1936-02-16
Washington's Kin Remembered
Man Who Guarded His General
Letter From Eliza p. Curtis Is Treas
ured by Descendant of John Luts of
Revolutionary Fame.

Lutz Georgetown Honred by Capt'n
william Tell Poussein Of the United
States Army" Underneath is this
notation: "Jno. Lutz leaves this for
his two sons John s. Lutz & Francis
Asbury Lutz Geo Town 6 June 1928"
The relics Of Washington, with the
other original letter, of which Mr..
Lutz has an exact copy, are in the
possession Of Mrs. Samuel s. LutZ Of
Leesburg, Va, whose husband, no
longer living, was also a direct de-
scendant of John Lutz of Revolu-
tionary fame. Her two daughters are
Mrs. Charles T. Clagett Of this city
and Mrs. j. r. H. Alexander of Lees
burg.
The "velvet" and the words Post
Office" referred to In the letter are
in the framed Enclosure with the let
ter. Family tradition has 1t that two
buttons from one Of Gen. Washing.
toms uniforms were also sent along
with these letters, but no one now
living knows what became of them.
This is the letter:
This velvet was worn by General
Washington-these words the Post
Once were written by his hand
they are presented to Mr.. John Lutz
Of Georgetown, whose merit caused
him to be chosen the sergeant OF
Washington's guard at the Valley
Forge, whose conduct through life
proves he deserved the high distinc-
ton he once enjoyed worthy Of the
mark of respect now offered to him
by her who ever was the friend Of the
brave. ELIZA PARKS CUSTIS.
Granddaughter of Mrs. Washington"
Georgetown Proud Of Lutz.
That Georgetown was proud of her
soldier son, John Lutz, and did him
honor upon every significant occasion.
Is evidenced in yellowed old news
paper clipping from the Metropolitan
and Georgetown Commercial Gazette
Of Tuesday morning, october 10. 1924.
Over its extremely fine print ] pored
with magnifying glass, that might
once had persuaded his modest de-
scendant, John A. LutZ, to bring it
forth for my perusal. The occasion
was the visit of Lafayette to America
and of his triumphal entry into
Georgetown. At the top of the old
newspaper is the name John Lutz,
October 19, 1924" in the same pen
manship that Is to be noted in an
old family Bible. Through several COL
umns a newspaper man of the long
ago describes the event. "All the
ladies' eyes we're directed to the bridge
and what is more astonishing, they
were watching in silence the motions
of the committee"
Further description follows of the
fine figure that Lafayette presented.
We are also told that "at the head of
the troops was landeau drawn by
four splendid prancing bay coursers
with their grooms. James Dunlop,
president of the Board of Aldermen,
and Thomas Corcoran, president Of
Georgetown's Council, sat opposite
Gen. Lafayette in his coach and Maj.
Roger c. Weightman, mayor Of Wash
ington was in the party.
Thousands of kerchiefs were
waved by fair hands," we are told.
The chronicle continues: Our old
and venerable DR.. Balch was presented
and addressed the general in q very
impressive manner. The general shook
him fervently by the hand and con.
versed with him on the occurrences
Of the olden times. Col. Marbury, Mr..
Threhkled, DR.. Beatty and others who
formerly knew him then conversed
with him. Then the soldiers of the
Revolution had precedence in meeting
him. Col. William Dent Beall was
presented by Mayor Cox and our
townsmen. Mr.. John Lutz of Valley
Forge and old Mr.. Myers of Brandy
wine, who had fought by the side of
Gen. Washington.
You see, general" said Mr., Gusts
of Arlington I'VE have some of the
old stun left yet. Our countrymen
present you with the best of every
thing. but I am persuaded that there
is nothing half so acceptable as an
old soldier"
AAS oCAcIdi Akrceus
Indeed you say truly" said
the general with enthusiasm. 1.-The
sight Of the dear old friends almost
makes me young again."
During our survey of the old news
paper, handsome little 4-year-old
Robert Mathews, the grandson of Mr..
and Mrs. Lutz, came into the drawing
room and shyly seated himself beside
me on an old sofa. Turning to him I
said. "Son, when you go to school if
they talk about Gen. George Wash.
ington during his birthday anniver-
sary month Of February, you will
probably be the only boy in the room
who will be able to say, "A grand
father Of mine stood on guard before
Washingtonis tent at Valley Forge"
From his father, who is an auditor
and accustomed to exact terminology,
he has picked up the word exactly"
which Is at present his favorite ex.
preston, SO. with interested gaze, he
gravely replied, exactly"
John Lutz, the son, founded a
leather and trunk business in George
town under his own name. This
business was later moved to Washing
ton where it became the firm of Lutz
& Co. Under this name the business
FRENCH,PROP.. FROM PARIS GUAR
antees you to speak French after 80 les
sons. Phone Cleveland $500.