The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1888-10-19
A FAMOUS CHEESE.
A UNIQUE PRESENT RECEIVED
BY THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Numerous Massachusetts Admirers
Contributed Milk to Construct
the Monster Token-Its r.
ception in Washington,


out the nited States, crossed the water.
anu even spread into foreign countries.
Elder John Leland a celebrated preacher
oil his time, was pastor of the village
church lie was a vigorous and original
thinker, noted for his exposition OF the
Scriptures People came from far and
near to listen to his sermons. In those
days minister's views upon all public
| questions were received with respectful
attention, and Elder Leland did not
confine his .iabors To parochial affairs.
! ANY delinquency among the selectmen
OF the town, any failure in rigid adher-
ence 20 duty, was boldly attacked by
HIM IN the pulpit, and names were men
toned with startling directncsS.
Thomas Jefferson was nominated for
the Presidency Of the United States IN
the fall of 1900 He was believed bv
many to be an intidel, and the feeling of
New England the stronghold of o-tho
doxy-was severe against him. An
ominous silence, that he preserved in re-
gard 10 his own religious belief was
regarded as uniavo; able, and it was
even declared in some countrr towns
that churches would be closed and the
sacredness of the Sabbath day no longer
preserved if he We're elected Elder
John Leland had no share in this public
opinion. He had been a preacher in
Virginia, where he often met Mr.. JeTer-
son.
The two men were mutually attracted
and held long conversations together.
Elder Leland became an ardent admirer
of Jefferson. He recognized his Chris
tian character in spite Of natural re-
ticeuce, and he be ievcd in his princi-
pies. When Jefferson was nominated
he began to work for him. Il was said
that the Elder stood alone, but the
sturdy opposition became his inspiration.
He preached politics in The pulpit on
Sunday; he rode TO neighboring towns
through the week; he was ready always
with an argument. 30 great was the
influence that he eXerted that when
election dav came there was not a mem
Der of the whole county who fai ed
to vote for Jefferson. Great was Elder
Leland's delight over the victory, and at
the close of the afternoons service in
the next Sabbath he proposed that. as a
people, they should prepare token of
their good will to be sent to Washington
after the new President had taken his
place at the White House. It should be
something in which women as well as
men could participate, and he suggested
an enormous cheese, as the natural pro
duct of their industry. Every man in
the country who had voted for jefferson
should bring all tn curd he felt able to
give. committee of farmers wives.
who were skilled, should be appointed
for the mixing. Everybody was pleased
with the idea. Captain John Brown,
who was known as the man to first sus-
pect and denounce Benedict Arnold as a
traitor, was member of this village.
He offered his cider-mill as the best and
largest in the town. They had it
cleaned, a new bottom of
wood set in, surrounded with an iron
hoop, and thus converted into a huge
cheese press. 1t was n fine afternoon.
when the crowd came pouring in from
all quarters Of the county to Captain
Browns farm, Some wealthy farmers
brought quantities of curd, others only
4 pailful, but the offerings were poured
into the cider-press. The matrons then
came forward. mixed and favored it.
The men stood ready for the pressing.
Then, uncOveriug their heads. all bowed
-everently, while Elder Leland asked
iod's blessing upon their labor They
'ang a hymn, the minister giving out.
.wo lines at time, and the people sing
ng them, and social season followed
Until twilight dispersed the crowd.
When the cheese was ready to be re-
moved, it was found TO weigh 1900
pounds. The parish requested their.
minister to convey it in person to the.
President. 1t was a journey of 500 |
niles, but the sleighing at the appointed |
ime was excellent, and he started He |
vas three weeks on the road The peo- |
lie thronged TO meet him in every town
nd village through which he passed, for, |
he news of the gift had spread, and such. /
cheese was never seen before. When
,lder Leland arrived in Washington, he;
ent a note to jefferson, who suggested
hat the members of his Cabinet and Of
congress. together with the foreign min
'ters and other distinguished guests,
hould be invited to attend and witness
he presentation. in the midst of this
Elder Leland arose with great
ignity and proiTered the huge Cheshire
heese as a token of the deep respect of
is county. The President closed his
ourteous reply with these words:
81 will cause this suspicious event to
c placed upon the records of our ma
on, and it will ever shine amid its glo-
ous archives. | shall ever esteem it
nOng the most happy incidents of my
nd "a fal :
I'd friend, will, by the consent and in
lie presence of my most hon
red council, have the cheese
1t, and you will take back with you a
orIion of it, with my hearty thanks, and
resent it to your people, that they ill
ay have taste. Tell them never to
Tier in the principles they have so
1bly defended; they have successfully
'me to the rescue of our beloved coun-
y in the time of her great peril. l wish
lem health and prosperity, and may milk
abundance never cease to flow to the /
test posterity."
As arrangements had previously been I
ade, the steward of the White House |
me forward and cut the cheese. \
ice was presented to each guest. Every :
le tasteu ana ueclared IL To be rs near >
'rfection as it was possible for cheese t
be- I
Elder Leland was greatly delighted '
it'll the whole enterprise. He spent 4
W days in Washington and then left c
r home. Another large meeting was Q
Id at Captain John Browns. The +
der gave the whole account of his trip. O
ID the reception of their present at the t
lpitol. One can imagine the eagerness
d delight with which the people list 5
ed. Each one received a small piece of. i
eese, for the whole region came to t
ar. This story is still treasured by y
ose who received it from parents or y
-BostoH Transcript. P
The Turkish LamnIighfer.