The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-06-30
Origin of the Name "aoosier. >

From the indianapolis Journal:
During the opening of the Louisvill
and Portland canal by the General Gov
eminent, there were Kentuckians, In
dianians and many from the "Greel
Isle" who worked on the canal Drink
ing and fighting, especially Saturdays
were common. Men used no weapon
then, and the man who would even at
tempt to draw d weapon was branded a
coward. There were three brother
from Indiana named Short. who wer,
giants in strength. The hero of GU
story was named Aaron, six feet tall
weight two hundred pounds, with nc
surplus flesh, a perfect Sullivan, an ath
lete, and as there were no Queensberry
rules by which they were governed il
fighting, he was protected below the pit
OF the stomach with a heavy leather
girdle which he wore under his clothes
One Saturday afternoon there seemed
to be general engagement all along the
line. The hero of our story was attracted
by large ring formed around some com
batants, among whom were some of his
friends. When he attempted to force
his way into the ring the men were SO
densely packed that he could not enter.
By the assistance of some friends on the
outside he was raised to the shoulders
of the crowd and crawled over and
jumped down among the combatants.
He had not much more than straight
ened himself up before he met an antag-
onist worthy of his steel. Suffice it to
say that before he put on his coat he had
whipped five men and jumped up and
cracked his feet together three times
and swOre that he was a "husher." This
same Short, while on a visit in Morgan
county to see his relatives, sent word to
Jack Payton that he would be in Moores>
vile on a certain day, but Mr.. Payton
did not come. Jumping and hopping
were very common in that day. Mr..
Short could jump thirty six feet in three
jumps and turn around and jump back
to the place of beginning.
These are substantially the facts about
the origin of "Hoosierh or 'Husher."
The Cincinnati papers discussed this
question very fully before the war, and
while they did not fully agree as to the
hero, they all agreed as to the place.
Croquet and Tennis Costumes.
From the New York Sun.
Now the croquet ground possesses pos
sibilities for little gallantries and the in
terchange of sweet confidence in the in>
teryals of the game. 1t permits the wear
ing of dainty and attractive gowns, pros
viding they are not too long. The balls
have a charming prediction for OBJ
scure corners and out>of-the-wa places,
where two people can be a blissfully long
time in searching for them. The gra-
cious curves of woman's contour, the
slenderness of a pretty hand, and the
such good advantage as when pretty
girl plants her No slipper on refrac-
tory ball to croquet a rivals or assist a
friend Besides one isn't spoiled for
everything but bath or hair curler
with single game of croquet. Croquet
is not incompatible with the flower
ladened picture hat which is so much
more becoming than the sailor mascu
line or the yachting cap. Croquet per-
mits, too, the shade OF a softly tinted
parasol beneath which fair face grows
fairer and dark eyes CLEAN with softened
dangerous luster. Finally, a man plays
tennis because he likes the game. He
plays croquet because he likes the girl
Hence its superiority.
The tennis girl wears dress of flannel.
If she is artistic she will make it of blue
with crimson yoke embroidered with
the balls and racquets of the game. She
will have deep band about the bottom
of the skirt embroidered in like manner,
and the sleeves to the elbow will be of
crimson. A soft scarf of silk will belt the
waist and hutter as she runs.
The croquet girl will wear a gown of
India silk or muslin of delicate green,
like the first tender shoots of the willow.
1t will be powdered and sprayed with all
the flowers that ever bloomed and sew
eral that never will bloom, save in the
fancy of the designer. 1t will be
softly frilled with lace everywhere
and futter with ribbons. 1t will be
accompanied with picturesquely droop-
ing hat of fine lace, straw, null, or lace
laden with flowers. The floppy Leghorn
fiat with long gauze scarf and two or
three big thorny American Beauty roses
will be seen often on the croquet ground.
And whatever she may neglect she will
wear her finest stockings and best shoes,
her prettiest rings and her most persua
sive, ailuring smile.