Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1894 — WASHINGTON'S COACH. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON'S COACH.

A Valuable Relic of the Firat President Found. In connection with tho restoration of tho old coach house at Mount Vernon, which wus ontlsoly rebuilt by “Michigan” during the past year, tliore is an interesting story of the soarch for one of Washington’s old coaches to ropUco in the coach liouso. Though a search wus instituted a year ago in New Yerk und Philadelphia for tho lost coach, thoro were no t races up to the date of the completion of tho coach liouso In May. At that time Mr. Dodge, tho superintendent at Mount Vernon, ascertained that a Washington couch had been sold from an auction room in Philadelphia about a year ago to Forepaugh’s Circus Company for SSO, and also that the Pennsylvania commissioners had triod unsuccessfully to get it from tho company for tho Columbian Exposition. Mr. Dodge immediately corresponded with Forepuugh’s und Barnum & Bailey’s Circus Companies,, and also with Mr. Brownfield, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Commissioners. Mr. Brownfield responded very cordially, und voluntoored his active aid und cooperation in securing tho coach for Mount Vernon. Mr. Brownfield was indefatigable in getting on tho track of the coach—but while the council of tho Mount Vernon Ladies' Association was in session in June, a letter was received from him to the effect that, the coach had boon traced to tho wreck “in the west,” of a circus train, and the coach was probably a ruin. This came with tragic effect—a coach which had hold tho august persons of General and Mrs. Washington, to bo carted around the country with a traveling show, and finally broken to pieces in a railway wreck. But the end is not yet. Suspecting that lie might have boon inislod and was on a false scent, Mr. Brownfield renewed the hunt, which ultimately resulted in finding the coach safely stowed away. Sir. Dodge at onco opened negotiations.for tho purchase of tho coach, but further proceedings were assisted by Mr. Brownfield’s reserving for himself tho privilege ol presenting the coach to tho Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. The regents of the association will henceforth accord great honor to Mr. Brownfield’s courtesy, genorosity, und patriotism, and will do everything in their power to attest their gratitude and appreciation.—