Evening star., 1941-12-14
The Death and Burial of the First President
Bv John Clagett Proctor.

This date, l42 years ago, was undoubt-
edly one OF the saddest days in American
history for on this day passed into the
beyond our greatest citizen, soldier, pa
triot and President-George Washington.
He who was First in war, first in peace
and first in the hearts Of his country
men,
The flrst President was born on Feb
ruary "a, 1882, and died at Mount Vernon,
his home in Virginia, December IA, 1899.
George Washingtons passing was, in
deed, mourned by q grateful people,
whose Republic he so ably and materially
assisted in founding and establishing,
and to whose hearts he had SO sincerely
and affectionately endeared himself.
December In the District of Columbia
Is . very uncertain month, so far as the
weather is concerned. Upon more than
one occasion the writer has seen roses
blooming here in the public parks as
late as Christmas Day, and at other
times December has been severely cold
throughout. 1t always has been good
month for contracting colds, for, in ad-
dition to the freezing weather, we are
equally likely to be treated to some wet
and rainy days, as well in the assort-
ment handed us before the month has
passed and gone.
December, 1899, was no exception to
the rule, and the day Washington caught
the cold that terminated his earthly
existence was such day as we our
selves have seen upon many occasions in
LII 1yio o;,,it chirOt0n tnn
had experienced many such days, had
endured the hardships of Valley Forge,
had crossed the Delaware when it took
the bravest and stoutest hearts to do so,
and why now, perhaps he thought, should
he refrain from going out DOORS even
though the weather was threatening, as
1t undoubtedly was that fatal day. In
deed, the first Presidents diary con-
tains q positive statement regarding the
weather for December IL. 1t says:
Morning cloudy, wind at northeast
and mercury at 49, A large circle around
the moon last night About 10 o'clock
it began to snow, soon after hail and
then settled rain. Mercury at % at
night"
Frequently Inspected His Farms
Washington was always active and in
dustrious and, like all successful men,
left little to the imagination, but saw
for himself what was going on about him.
For years it had been his habit fire.
uuently to inspect his farms, his rides
taking him over stretch of to IA miles.
His adopted son. George Washington
Parke Gusts, said: He usually moved at
a moderate pace, passing through his
fields and inspecting everything, but
when behind time the most punctual of
men would display the horsemanship of
his better days and hard gallop bring
him up to time, so that the sound of his
horses hoofs and the first dinner bell
should be heard together at quarter to
o'clock" That writer added that upon
these occasions he presented the picture
of "a fine, noble-looking old cavalier,
well mounted, citing firm and erect in
his saddle"
So 1t was that during one of these in
spection visits over the farm, on Thurs
day, December IL, 1899, Washington
contracted the cold that resulted in his
death two days later Upon this occa-
sion, as was his practice, he took to his
horse about 10 o'clock that morning and
did not return until five hours later,
although the weather was cold and
slight snow was falling when he left
home, which later turned to hail and
rain with the addition of a cold wind
that even aggravated conditions. When
he returned home it was observed that
he was wet and snow was hanging from
his hair. His secretary, Mr.. Lear, called
his attention to this, but Washington
said his greatcoat had kept him dry.
Some letters being brought to him, he
franked them, but would not let the
servant take them to the office, as he
said the weather was too bad to send
them that evening Soon thereafter he
went to dinner without changing his
damp clothing.
The next day, Friday, he was pre-
vented from going out early, but
hoarseness had developed overnight
which was quite noticeable and, undoubt-
edly, the result of getting wet the day
before. He made rather light of this,
however and in the afternoon went out
into the grounds between the mansion
and the river to mark some trees which
were to be cut down by way of improve
ment to the place.
Not So Optimistic
In the evening, when the papers were
brought from the post Office, he sat with
Mrs. Washington and his secretary,
reading to them until Mrs Washington
retired, about 9 o'clock.
When he retired he seemed very cheer
full, and when Mr.. Lear suggested that he
take something for his cold he replied:
mo, you know never take anything for
q cold. Let it go as it came"
Mrs Washington as it would seem,
was not quite so optimistic over her hus-
bands condition at this time as he ap-
pears to have been, and had become
alarmed at not hearing the accustomed
sound of the library door as it closed
for the night, and which was the signal
for rest in the well-regulated mansion.
She arose again and continued sitting up,
in much anxiety and suspense, until, at
length, we are told, the well-known step
was heard on the stair, and upon the
generals entering his chamber, Mrs
Washington kindly chided him for re-
manning up SO late. to which Washington
made this reply: II came as soon as my
business was accomplished. You we'll
know that through a long life, 1t has
been my UNMARRIED rule never to put off
till the morrow the duties which should