The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-11-13

.4,ere sAe Great American nioom Boasts
. Patriotic Pedigree.

NI,err tke Crest American Bioom boasts
a Patriotic Pedi=ree-
Irthe question Of the selection Of ma
tional flower should be left to the deci-
sion Of the residents in this part Of The
delightful Kcuka lake reeicn il would be
settled ii favor Of the sunaower-
The first settler on lands within the
viylage boundaries Of Hammondsport
was Cant. John Sheathar. He purchased
his l,or,cstead in 1926 direct from the
accent of Sir William Puiteney, who
owned the most Of Steuben county
CAM. Sheathar. his biographer says. was
Revolutionary soldier. He held COM
mission as captain Of dragons. and had
the reputation Of being an excellent ON
cer and a favorite with Gen. Washing
ton. He lived on the head Of Crooked
fKeuka) lake, and Jared sumptuously.
He was n generous. hospitable man and
a true patriot de was Of stout, port
lv figure, and made 3 fine appearance
on horseback dressed in his Continental
regimentals. as he used TO appear on all
celebration occasions.
Cant. Sheathar came from Virginia,
and he brought with him into the Keuka
lake wilderness a number of sunfiower
seeds which he planted in the grounds
Il is said that he frequently declared that
Washincton's favorite. flower was the
sunflower, and it is a tradition that the
seeds Capt Sheathar planted here came
from a flower that grew on the estate OF
the father Of his country. The sunilow-
ers that grew from the seeds OF keuka
Lakes pioneer settler were probably the
first that bIoomed in western New York.
Today. all through this region of lus-
cious fruits and brilliant blooms, scions
of that iIlnstsious stock hold a proud
place. They brighten every garden,
and beam from their lofty and sturdy
stalks on many a velvety lawn. They
burst in glory from amid the green acre
are of trailing grape vines. high on the
sjones that guard the shores Of keuka
lake. and close to the. foliage iringed
borders Of the lake itself they bow their
stately. gold crowned heads TO the sa-
luting breeze. Summer cottages along
the lake. set back againstthe hillsanong
old oaks and pines and Gins, find them
selves. as the season grows. almost hid
den by the broad leafed growth OF this
great flower stalk, and the cottagers
walk with a sunburst at every turn. The
flowers lift mp their glowing faces against
the gable windows. and even nod at one
another across the housetops
Il is the pride of the Keuka lake citi-
zen TO have it recorded in his local print
that he has placed upon the editors table
the largest and brightest sunfower Of
the season. OF that he has the highest
sunhower stalk or one with the most
flowers on il. Thus The Hammondsport
Herald Of tins week announces that
Nicholas Augur has shown TO the editor
sunflower that grew in his yard. and
that It measured twelve inches across in
side its fringe Of golden leaves. 1t had
seeds enough to plant a five acre lot. A
paper in another town says that a sun
flower stalk twenty feet high and hav-
ing seventy-five immense flowers on it
is a sight to be seen in James Sebrings
dooryard. and that it is worth going
twenty miles to see.
Keul1a lake wants to be put on record
as being for the sunfiower for the ma
tional flower first, last, and all the time.
-Hammondsport Cor. New York Sun.