Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-01-30

vid AoSel son, IN the year 1911, to his
son William, then living in Laurens
district. s. G. Here is an extract:
In TIE first place you should know
that Washington was not what the
ladies call pretty man. 1t seems
that fate has destined handsome men
for other purposes than heroic en-
deavor. But In military costume ne
was handsome figure, such as would
impress the memory ever afterwafd.
The first time l was ever brought in
contact with the great hero was three
days before the crossing of the Della
ware, IS | have related to you before
1t was under most unfavorable cir
cumstancts as the weather was bitter
IL cold. and a fierce wind was blow
ing. Washington had large, thick
nose, and it was very red on thai day,
giving me the impression that he was
not so moderate IN the use of liquors
as he was supposed To be- / found
afterward that this was psculiarity
His nose was apt to turn scarlet in q
cold wind. He was standing near a
small camp fire, evidently lost IN
thought, and making no effort TO keep
warm. He seemed six feet and half
in height, was as erect as SIN Indian,
and did not for a r2oment relax from
military attitude Washipgton's
exact height was six feet two Inches
in his boots. He was then a little
lame from striking his knee against a
tree. His eye was SO gray that it
looked almost white, and he had a
troubled look on his almost colorless
face. He had piece OF wooden tied
around his threat and was quite
hoarsc Perhaps the throat trouble
frem which he finally died had its
origin about then. WaShington's
boots were enormous. They were
No. 49, His ordinary walking shoes
were No. II. His hands were
large in proportion, and he
could not buy a glove to fit
him, aud had to have his gloves made
TO order. His mouth was his strong
feature, the lips being always tightly
compressed. On that day they were
compressed so closely that it was
painful to look at At that time he
weighed two hundred pounds, and
there was no surplus flesh about him.
He was tremendously muscled, and
the fame of his great strength was
everywhere"
In these days of universal freedom
1t may be interesting to know from
first hands how Washington treated
his slaves. Some valuable informa-
ton on this point is given by Josiah
Quincy. an old man Of 81, now resid
ing at Marshall Hall, on The Maryland
side of the Potomac. While youth,
Quincy lived many years with the
CARTS family, and personally knew a
number Of the slaves that had be-
longed to Washington.
washington did not own slaves
for pleasure" says Nj. Qaincy. He
made them work, [ tell you, and if
they were not out on time in the
morning they must have good reason
for it. Mr.. Curtis often said that Gen.
Washington could get more work out
of negro than any other man in
Virginia. But he was very just
man. Me would not overwork them,
and he would net let them be punish
ed if they did not richly deserve it.
He would not whip slave himself,
DGG SOEletlI1tS lie WOulu kHCCk one
down with his fist. One of his slaves,
named Sam, had a scar on his cheek
which he told mo his master put
there. The general caught Sam riding
one of his fne horses one day, and he
gave him blow that Sam never for
got. Washington taught his slaves
TO be religious, and he would not
separate families. He often visited
the sick at their cabins. All his slaves
loved him. Though strict, he was a
kind hearted master"
Mr.. Quincy says that as late as a
year ago a colored man, known as
Jim Washington, who was born the
slave of Washington in 1871. was
living near Cuipeper Court House,
Va, and he thinks the old man is
still alive.