, 1896-04-28
stern border of American civiliza.

the abundance of bears in the noun.
famous districts. For over forty years
Arkansas had almost a monopoly of the
bear stories of this country.
North Carolina in colonial days was
called the "Old North Colony" and the
name, with state instead of colony. has
been retained to the present time. 1t
has also been called "%Turpentine
State" from the Importance of this ar,
ticle in the list of its exports.
Vermont, before the revolutionary
war. acquired the name of the Green
Colony" the so%briquet having been be-,
slowed on account of the verdant ap-
pearance of the mountains. The nam
of the state was originally French, and
means green mountain.
Wisconsin was early dubbed the
Badger State from the representa-
ton of that animal on its coat of arms.
Why the badger should have beer
chosen doe not appear. as it it o in
evidence that badgers were more num-
erous in Wisconsin than in other sur
rounding states.
New Hampshire very early in its his
tory was denominated the 'Switzer-
land of America on account of its
mountainous character and the hardy
habits of its people. 1t has also been
called the Granite State" from the
abundance of that mineral within its
boundaries.
New Jersey has been called the Gar
den State" from the fact that a large
proportion of the farming land in its
boundaries is given up to growing e
tables for the markets of New York
and Philadelphia. so that it has been
said New Jersey is a kitchen garden OF
these two cities.
Maryland long & was known as the
"Old Line State" the reference being
to the line drawn by Mason and Dixon
along the northern boundary of Mary
land and the southern limit of Penn
| sy%lvania, an effort having been made
to consider this line the northern
boundary of. the slave territory.
New York vas long age denominated
the Empire State" From it's great
wealth. industrial. commercial and pc,
litical importance it ranked first among
the states in many particulars. It has
also been named the Excelsior State"
from the fact that this word appears as
a motto in the state arms.
Louisiana has been called the Creole
State" from the character of its popu-
lation. many of the French settlers hav-
ing married Indian or mulatto women
1t is also known as the Pelican State"
This bird was formerly very abundant
in the delta of the Mississippi. and its
representation in the state arms prob
ably inspired the nickname.
Massachusetts has been called the
Bay State" from the great inlet IN it's
eastern shore. 1t has been designated
the "Old Colony from the antiquity of
its foundation. A more recent and less
respectable nickname is the State of
Baked Beans" an allusion to a we'll
known article of food prepared in great
quantities With. its limits.
Oregon has been known as the Web
foot State" During the rainy season
the precipitation is so constant and
heavy that 1t is humorously said the
climate of that state is best appreciate
ed by animals having webed feet. 1t is
also called the Beaver State" from
the former abundance of these animals
along its water courses.
Nevada has two nicknames: the Sill
yer State" and the Sage Brush State"
The former name rises from the princl-
pal product of the state, which is de-
rived from the great Comstock mines;
perhaps the most productive of any in
the world. The name Sage Brush
State" was given on account of the
presence of that herb. which in many
parts of the alkali plains forms almost
the sole vegetation.
Nebraska has been termed the
"Blackwater State" The explanation
of this poetical nickname is found in
the fact that the water of the principal
streams is as dark as that of the rivers
flowing from the boys of Ireland. The
soil of Nebraska is very rich and loamy,
and 1t is said there are peat beds in the
state. the statement being apparently
confirmed by the color of the water.
which is caused by the presence of or
ganic matter.
Delaware has been called the "Dia-
mond State" for, though small In size,
It formerly was of great political inn
p~ortance. 1t also enjoys the nickname
of the blue Hen State this having
been bestowed on account of a gentle
man named Caldwell. who made the
state famous in sporting annals by the
quality of his gamecocks. which he al
WAYS bred from the eggs Of a blue hen.
believing that this was the best color
for the mother of a gamecock.
Connecticut enjoys the proud dis
tinction of having three s%obriquets. 1t
has been called the Land OF Steady
Habits" from the sobriety and gravity
of its people; the "Freestone State,
from the enormous quarries Of that de-
scription of stone. and the Nutmeg
State" from the tradition prevalent IN
surrounding communities over a hun>
dred years ago that the chief industry
- -l-t-tEka~t NM tho manufacture