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important to the history of our county as Montpelier.”
The daughters of the late James W. Fletcher have declined to comment while the, police investigation is ongoing. They do appreciate all of the; community support.
The initial call alerting Fletcher' family relatives of suspicious activity at Montpelier came on May 20 and it seemed rather simple: a minor case of vandalism.
But to those who arrived* first at Montpelier and walked’ inside and witnessed the rampage, it was much more. Sheriff Sherert*, after witnessing the vandalism said, “They basically destroyed the interior of this grand old mansion. I can’t describe what I saw.”
Virtually all the windows were smashed in the 110 foot long mansion; one window had a chair thrown threw it and the chair got stuck in the window.
Most every piece of antique furniture, china and silver was overturned and smashed and ruined. Valuable books were damaged by water from bathrooms on the floor above where toilets and sinks were damaged and the broken pipes poured water through the ceilings onto these valuables.
The main staircase, an open-string stair with rectangular balusters and a molded handrail was demolished.
A huge cast iron stove in the kitchen had been overturned and there was evidence of a fire in the kitchen.
Among other items smashed: a grand piano, an old upright piano and other smaller pieces of antique furniture.
Cathryn Knuepfer, director, curator and librarian of the Rappahannock Historical Society said that those she spoke to who first saw the damage “saw a scene of the results of rage and malice.” She, like others, prefers to remember the happier times— ”we had a gorgeous society picnic there in the early 80s. I have memories of being there on special occasions, taking people through on tours.”
Interested individuals who want to pledge money to the reward fund can call the Rappahannock Historical Society 675-1163 and ask for Donna Fisher.
If anyone has information regarding the Montpelier vandalism contact Rappahannock Historical Society’s Vice President Mary Ann Kuhn at 675-2020. Ms. Kuhn will continue to provide coverage of this story.
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