Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-29

anu Ills 1aLully were adjusting them
selves for dinner when they heard the
call at the gate. There was q most
animated conversation between the
TIVE peighbors, IN which thu general
informed the humble settler that he
must receive a certain sum for his dis
Puted title or submit'to be dispossess-
ed. MIR. Dixon, who was also revo-
lutlonary soldier and feels that he has
some rights IN this country, informed
ms Iordly neighbor that the land was
MS eWn; that he had paid for il and
quit houses thereon, and that children
were porn to him on it, and that he
wsuId defend 1t with his life. Contin-
Jung, ne charged the general with in
citing his employees to depredate on the
fences and field. It was natural thai
all this should arouse the mettle OF the
modern Mars. He flew into q tower
ing rage and applied many epithets tc
Mr.. Dixon that are not warranted by
the Ten Commandments. He even
went SO far as to raise his riding whip
and to threaten personal violence. Mr..
Dixon Is man Of few words, but high
temper, and not caring TO have hIs
home and family thus offended. he
gave the general one minute to move
away while he rushed into his house
for his deer rifle. There are none who
doubt the valor of the general. but
there may be a few who do not credit
him with that discretion which is so
valuable part of valor. Suffice it for
the ends of this chronicle To say that
1t required only a few moments for
him to turn the gray mules head
toward Mount Vernon, and in less
time than it takes to here relate the
noble animal was distancing the Dig
on homestead with gallant speed. It
was no fox trot nor yet so fast as the
Derby record, but most excellent for s.
mule. at any rate it was a noble race,
which saved settlers shot patriots
bacon, and averted a possible catas-
trophe that might have cast a gloom
on American history"
Perhaps the most unique personal
description of Washington now ex-
tant is that contained in a letter in
the possession of Benjamin II. Acker-
son, of Raleigh, n. c., written by Da-
vid Ackel son, in the year 1911, to his
son William, then living in Laurens
district, s. Q. Here is an extract:
In the first place you should know
that Washington was not what the
ladies call a pretty man. 1t seems
that fate has destined handsome men
for other purposes than heroic en-
deaver. But IN military costume ne
was handsome figure, such as would
impress the memory ever afterward.
The first time | was ever brought in
contact with the great hero was three
days before the crossing of the Della
ware, as L have related to you before.
1t was under most unfavorable cir
cumstances, as the weather was bitter
~ cold. and fierce wind was blow
ing. Washington had large, thick
nose, and it was very red on that day,
giving me the impression that he was
not SO moderate In the use of liquors
as he was supposed to be. I found
afterward that this was a popularity.
His nose was apt to turn scarlet In a
cold wind. He was standing near
small camp fire, evidently lost In
thought, and making TO effort TO keep
warm. He seemed six feet and half
IN height, was as erect as an Indian,
and did not for a2ement relax from
military attitude. Washington's
exact height was six feet two inches
in his boots. He was then little
lame from striking his knee against
tree. His eye was so gray that it
looked almost white, and he had
troubled look on his almest colorless
face. He had a piece of wooden tied
around bis threat and was quite
hoarse. Perhaps the throat trouble
frsm which he finally died had it's
origin about then. Washington
boots were enormous. They were
No 49, His ordinary walking shoes
were No. II. HIS hands were
large Ia proportion, and he
could not buy a glove to fit
aim, and had 10 have his gloves made
to order. His mouth was his strong
feature, the lips being always tightly
compressed. On that day they were
com pressed SO closely that it was
painful to look at At that time he
weighed two hundred pounds, and
there was no surplus fash about him.
He was tremendously muscled, and
the fame of his great strength was
everywhere"
In these days of universal freedom
IL AGy NC IAtSICSitbS 10 KNOW lFOuI
first hands bow Washington treated
his slaves. Some valuable inforna-
ton On this point is given by Josiah
QlIncy, an old man Of 81, now resid-
log 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-
lenged to Washington.
Washington did not own slaves
for pleasure Says NJ. Qaincy- HE
made them work, tell you, and If
they were not cut 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 q negro than aRy other man ia
Virginia. But be was a very Just
man. He would aot overwork them, I.
and he would net let them be punish
ed if they did not richly deserve it.