The National tribune., 1897-06-24
THE SIXTIES OF THE UNION.
Why They Were Given the Secondary Titles
by Which They Are Known.

Why They Were Given the Secondary Titles
by Which They Are Known.
John Schramm, All w. Thirty-third street,
New York City, inquiries the reason for the
popular names assigned to certai in States of the
Union, to which the editor replies as follows:
New York is termed the Empire State, be-
cause it has always led in population and
wealth; also Excelsior, from the motto on its
coat. Of arms. Pennsylvania, the Keystone
State, so called because it was the central State
of the Union at the time of the formation of
the Constitution. BY arranging the names Of
the original IL States in tho form Of an arch,
Pennsylvania occupies the place of the key
stone. Ohio. the Buckeye State because of the
beautiful and the hardy buckeye tree, first of
the forest trees to put forth its leaves in the
Spring and typical of Ohio's sons" first in
everything" Florida the Flowery State, so
called from the Latin flora, meaning flowers;
also the Peninsular State from its shape.
Texas, tho Lone Star State, because of tho lone
star OH its coat-of-arms, referring to the re-
moteness of Texas. far down in the southwest
of the galaxy OF States. California, the Golden
State, where the precious treasure was first
found in great quantities on this continent.
Massachusetts is called the Bay State be-
cause previous to the adoption of the Constitu.
ton that State was known az the Colony of
Massachusetts Bay. 1t was also called the Old
Commonwealth. New Hampshire, the Gran
ite Stnte, because Of the granite Astounding in
its mountains. Vermont, the Green Mountain
State from the luxuriant verdnre of its mount
ain chains. Delaware, tho Diamond State !;
though small in size, important in its worth.
Virginia, the Mother Of Presidents, because
that State has furnished five Presidents to the
Union. Virginia has also been called the
Mother of States because it was the first of the
Is settled. Maine. the Pine Tree State, be-
cause of its extensiye. pine forests
Indiana is called tie Hoosier State from a
corruption of the word "husher," q word
formerly applied to a bully throughout the
West This word is synonymous with our
modern word hustler" The word "husher !"
| was the English pronunciation of the word,
usher" an ofcious person much given to hust-
| ling people from place to place. Wisconsin,
| the Badger State, in reference to tho plucky
| little animal Of that name common within its
borders. Michigan,l the Wolverine State, from
the wolves formerly found within its borders
also, the Lumber State and the Lake State
Iowa, the Hawk-Eye, State. from an Indian
| chief of that NAME who was the terror of the
pioneers. Arkansas, the Bear State. because
| its forests were formerly infested with bears
Louisiana, the Creole State, because the de-
scendants of French and Spanish settlers
known by this name constitute large portion
| Of its population.
| South Carolina is named the Palmetto State
| from the palmetto tree that appears in the coat
of-srms OF that State. North Carolina, the Old
North State, as it was originally designated b.
the dwellers in South Carolina and Georgia
also known - the Turpentine State, because
its exports are largely turpentine from its pins
forests. Connecticut, the Nutmeg State, be
cause tho inhabitants were SO shrewd that they
we're jocularly accused of making and selling
wooden nutmegs for the genuine article
Mississippi. the Bayou State, because it abound
In bayons and creeks. Illinois. the Prairi,
State. from the vast prAiries which form . lass'
part Of Ito territory.