The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-07-28

WAsHrNGToNs STRENGTH. - George
Washington was famous for manly beau
ty, and for fine muscular development.
lie excelled in all the games of his ma.
tive State, and excited universal wonder
by his feats. Vice. President Wilson tells
one or two incidents he obtained from
Mr. Curtis:
"During visit at Arlington House,
Virginia, in 1854, the writer asked Mr..
Curtis if Washington could, like Marshall
SAKE, brake a horseshoe and received
for reply that he had no doubt he could
if he tried, for his hands were the largest
he had ever seen. Mr.. Curtis then gave
several instances of the Generals strength.
of which l recall the following: When
Washington was a yorng man, he was
present on one occasion lookor.on at
wrestling games, then the fashion in Vir-
ginia. Tired Of the sport, he had retired
to the shade of tree, where he sat per-
using pamphlet till challenged to bout
by the hero of the day and the strongest
wrestler in tho State. Washington de.
clned till taunted with the remark that
he feared to try conclusions with the
gladiator, he calmly came forward, and,
without removing his coat, grappled with
his antagonist. There was fierce strug-
gle for brief space of time, when the
champion was hurled to the ground with
such force as 70 jar the very marrow OF
his bones
Another instance of his prodigious
power was his throwing the stone across
the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg
feat that it is quite safe to say has nev.
er been performed since. Later in life a
number of young gentlemen were conten.
ding at Mount Vernon in the exercise ot
throwing the bar. Washington, after
looking on for some time, walked forward
saying. ALLOW me to try ~ and grasping
the bar, sent the iron flying through the
air twenty feet beyond its former limits
Still later in his career, Washington, whose
"age was like lusty winter, frosty, yet
kindly" observed three Of his workmer
at Mount Vernon vainly endevoring to
raise large stone, when tired of witness
ing their unsuccessful attempts, he put
them aside, and, taking it in his iron-like
grasp, lifted it to its place, remounted his
horse and rode on"
He DID Nor CoME.-In November
1858, rumor was circulated in Havana
that Gen. Quitman was about to land OF
the island at the head OF q considerable
force, for the purpose Of assisting the
Cubans to throw off ihe yoke of Spain.
Instantly 400 Cubans, who were pro
minent men, either by their learning, ,thei
wealth or known dctestation Of Spanish
dominion, were arrested in Havana. Ma
tauzas, Cardenas, Cienfuegos, and othe
cities, and conveyed on board an old hull
lying in the harbor Of Havana. Th,
dreaded cloud of Quitmap's landing hav
ing blown over, the prisoners were at frs
released after an Incarceration Of sixteel
days on board the hulk, and allowed t,
reside in the city OF Havana, and afte
some further delay they were perinitte,
to return to their homes on the condition
Of presenting themselves once a month a
the Bureau Of the Chief Of Police O
Havana.
One of the prisoners, since deceased
had managed during his forced residenc
T in Havana to ingratiate himself into TIL
good graces Of the Chief of Police, Dol
Fructuoso Garcia Munoz, and when finall
allowed to return to his home called upol
: Sr Mnnoz and thanked hin, for tha nj
tentions which he had SO kindly showr
him.
The reply OF Sr. AIunoz was as follows
"You owe me no thanks, but you do ow
them to that American General Quitmar
for not having landed on the island fo
, | had positive orders from Gen. Conch
, on the first arrival of the news of Gen
d. Qutman's landing to close the matches o
that hulk and scuttle her in the harbo
, with you 400 men ia the hold"