Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-03-01
Some Inside Facts Regarding the
Life and Works OF the I'm
mortal George Washington.
The Real Truth of That Little Matter
Regarding George and His
Fathers Cherry Tree.
His Great Hold OH Public Esteem,
Which Nominated Him for
Father of His Country.
The Immortal George,

Washing ton, who was born some aun-
dred and sixty years ago of two parents,
who subsequent to his birth became his
father and mother. At the same time
George became a son to them, and the
relationship thus formed lasted for a
number of years.
In his early life George was a young
man. A great many biographers differ
upon other important facts in his early
life, but all of them agree upon this.
He continued to remain so until later in
life, according to the most reliable au-
thorities. At the time of his birth no
one suspected that he would become the
father of his country. Even George
himself had no idea that he would be-
come the paternal ancestor on the
fathers side of a nation which was des-
tined in after years to produce the dem
ocratic party. Perhaps. after all. it is
just as we'll that George could not fore
see this, as he might have resigned his
| position. aud this proud land might
have had no father. This would have
done away with one Of the legal holi-
days. which ale the only things which
stand between the legislative assembly
and a great deal of hard work.
When still quite a child. an incident
occurred in Georges life, which has been
faithfully misrepre:ente5 for $50 years.
George was playing IN the orchard u
day, and absent minded! cut down one
OF mis- fathers f~avorite cherry rress.
Later in the day Georges father dis
covered what rad been done. aud he
summoned George.
M! son." be said, wrathfully. care
le==i! revealing q long and flexible vii
low-=prout which he held behind his
back, how lid this cherry tree happen
Is be cut down.
Father" said George. firmly. as he
leaned OVER and examined the place
where the tre= had been cut. critically.
Il think il nus: have been struck by
lightning. l do not see now else it
could have h~app=nsd."
As the day had been 2 clear, and sun.
shiny one. Georges father felt justified
in repairing with George to the wood
shed. This story has been told a num-
Der Of times, but differently from the
way..it is set forth here. It is d%iscour-
aging..at this late day, to endeavor to tell
the truth III the matter, for after a story
has been told one way for $50 years, it
is hard to make kpeople believe it is not
so. Still, if the relation shall serve to
stir people up to investigate the matter,
among the old-timers who remember just
how the affair really happened, some
little good will have been done-even
though many of our school readers and
copy-books have to be changed to accord
with the real facts.
After he became older, George went
into the surveying business, and several
of the old right-of-ways in his native
state were measured off by him. Sur
veying in those days was not as peace
full a profession as it is today, and every
few days some Indian who had not yet
been reached by the soothing influences
of the Sunday school tracts Of the mis-
sionaries, would shy an arrow at George,
while he was figuring on some a bstruse
problem in mensuration. George would
bisect a few angles and run a line or two,
and would then be forced to lay aside
his pencils, reel up his chain, and BIZ
~furcate a segment or two of redman with
his trusty hintlock. In all of his peril
GUS surveyingstrips, he was never once
killed by the hostile rsdmen. All of his
corners3were staked off accurately, and
his contracts were always approved.
At about the. time the revolutionary
war opened George was quite a prolni'
nent figure in politics, and at the request
of the republican central comnittee he
took charge of the colonial army. Not
w~ithstandipg the criticisms and opposi.
ton of the press in some cases, George
remained at the head of the army al
through the war, until 1888, when the
opposition surrendered and went home
It was about this time that George wae
first prominently mentioned for the posi-
tion of father of his country, and afGel
remarking that it would entail consider.
able personal loss for him to accept the
nomination, he agreed to sacrifice his
personal interests for the good of the
party and take it. And he has continued
to be the father of his country evel
since, even when the democratic party
has carried the election, no democrat
having been appointed to the position.
Again, George was elected to the pres
idency, being the first president of the
new nation at a small salary. He was
elected both times without opposition
and his stand on the tariff and the cur
rency question was not brought up
against him either time.
The example of George Washington il
one which might we'll be emulated by