Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-11-06
aMiseellaug.
Fictitious Names of the States and
their Origin.


Maine Is called the Lumber State, because
lie inhabitants are extensively engaged in
cutting and rafting lumber also the Pine
Tree State, the central and northern part
icing covered with vast pine forests
New Hampshire, the Granite .&ote, not
only on account of the abundance of its
granite, but also for the stability Of the
character of its people. S,ct-erlaad of ADseri-
ca. from its picturesque scenery.
Vermont, the Green Mountain STATE, from
the Green Mountains being its principal
range.
Massachusetts. the Bay State, from its
having been called the colony OF Aiassachu-
setts hay previous u the adoption of the
constitution, and Old Colony from the orig
inal Plymouth colony, that being formed
previous to the Massachusetts, bay colony
Rhode Island, Link Rtody, name en-
ployed to designate it as the smallest state
Of the Union.
Connecticut. the Freestone SLATE, from its
vast freestOne quarries Landof Steady Hat
Its, from the moral character of its inhabi-
tants. NU'meg STATE, from the shrewdness
Of its inhabitants, who have been jestingly
accused Of palming off wooden nutmegs for
the genuine article.
New York, the Empire STATE, from its be-
ing the most populous and wealthy state in
the Union. Excelsior State, from the motto
excelsior up its coat of arms.
Delaware. the Diamond Sur. from its
small size and great worth. B1sle He,t, a
.-r, ,,b;,b t..I with (t,rto;o CoI1,-ou
Of the revolution, who was fond of cock
lighting, % much so, than when his officers
we're sent I, enlist new men, it was said
-itiit ti.- al : ,I.c for III IRE of Caldwell
game cocks -; but as Caldwell insisted that
n1cDck could be truly game, unless it's mother
blue heu. the expression - Blue Hen
Chickens - was substituted for - Game
C)ck=, and consequently the term . Blue
Hen - was applied TO the state.
Pennsylvania, the Key Stone STATE. from
IL having been the centre Of the thirteens
yriginal states.
Virginia. OF Dominion, first called Oh
Virginia from il being the first permanent
7ertIement ly the English. and DoD,inion
i.ecause in all parliamentary messages it was
designated the colony or dominion of yir-
sinia Hence - Od DoDsinion'' from old
Virginia
North Carolina, the old North Slafe Iur-
,sat4He Slate. because it produces and exports
great quantities Of turpentine.
South Carolina, Palmetto &ate, from the
representation Of the palmetto tree upon its
coat OF arms.
d.
Mississippi. the BAYOU State, from it,
numerous creeks and bayous.
Louisiana. Creole STATE, from its inhabi-
ants being OF French and Spanish origin
Texas, Lo1se Star, from its coat Of arms
containing single star.
Arkansas, the Bear Slale, from the great
number Of bears which infest its forests
Kansas garden Of the West. from it's pro
ductivences-
Missouri. Ptlte Nats. also ETiAd ca &ate,
names originating from an alteration be-
tween two men living on opposite sides Of the
Mississippi river. One shouted 10 the other
'' Sucker the other responded :. Puke."
" WiId Cct'' Hence these names have been
applied 70 the State.
Iowa. Halot Eve STATE, from an Indian
chief, who once q terror 20 emigrants,
furriers and others who crossed its bounda-
RES.
Wisconsin, the BGage, STATE. from the
great number OF badgers or ground hogs
which infcst its prairies.
Illinois. Prairie lNcke, from It's extensive
and beautiful prairies Sucker STATE, from
the manner In which the early travellers who
crossed 1t obtained water while on their
Journey, which wac to thrust long reed into
she holes made by the craw fish and suck it
up
Indiana, Ho0sier &ate, from exclamation
made by young man named Shortt who had
Outdone three Kentucky bullies in o tight on
the Ohio river. He obtained the exclama-
ton hoosier from short speech made by the
Polish officer in praise OF his troops {called
Hussars, or IIoosiers az he pronounced it,
and in such terms as 70 Indicate that they
were really more fierce than the keDtuckians
who lordcd it over the men of Indiana.
Shortt having triumphed over three Of them,
excia lined, - am = Hoosier-" Hence it
became nickname for all the inhabitants,
a. il did afterwards % the .tate.
Ohio, Buck re &ote. from the abundance
"f l-uckeye trees which flourish there
Michigan, Late Stake, from its bor riering
upon four large lakes. ttOicerise &ate, from
the great number Of wolverines which iniest
Kentucky, CorJs Crus--.r .4ale.
California. FL Dosado OF North America.
x~,-. ..o1,f