The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-22
GEORGE WASHINGTON.


George Washington has been the subject
of so much writing for one hundred and
fifty years past that it would seem nothing
new could be said. In general, the purpose
of writer's seems to have been to defy him
or place him above the plane of humanity,
but it is a fact, demonstrated by recent
Investigations, that, great as he unques-
tlonably was, he had the qualities of our
common humanity. He was neither Puri-
tan in religious belief nor man who totally
abstained from the use of wine or ardent
spirits, though never drinking to excess.
He loved women, and would ride many
miles to witness horse race, and, when
he tancied an animal would bet on his IA
'vorite like any other gentleman.
After the disastrous defeat OF the British
army under Braddock, amidst the general
flight of the redcoats and yells of the saw
ages he held his Virginia regiment though
two horses had been killed under him and
four bullets shot through his uniform in
the engagement His praise was then
sounded by every tongue, and when he re-
turned to Mount Vernon invitations to visit
colonial homes were numerous and the la
dies smiled upon him. He was, indeed,
grand specimen of manhood to look upon,
six feet two inches in height, with large
with smallpox. which he caught in Barba-
does while visiting the islands. The colo
nists all felt honored when a neighbor so
distinguished visited them. He ventured to
make love to the ladies', and especially to
Betsey Fountleroy, who rejected his adj
vances and married planter. He next
became enamOred with one ne styles the
lowland beauty whose real name has
never been disclosed, and met with no bet
ter success. Alas for Betsey. She did not
forecast that she had rejected one whose
tame was to be worldwide and the oppor-
tunity to become the first lady in America.
His misfortunes did not stop here. In order
to settle question of regularity in his COM
mission as colonel Washington visited Bos-
ton, though it was a long journey to make
on horseback. On reaching the vicinity OF
New York he stopped with virginian who
had married susanna Phillips a daughter
of a wealthy PATRON who owned a manor
near that city, and his friend invited his
Wl1e sister, the beautiful Mary Phillips,
TO his house TO meet the famous young
colonel, so distinguished at Braddock's de-
feat. 1t is recorded that Washington at
once made love to the wealthy New York
girl, who also rejected him and afterwards
married Tory colonel Roger Morris.
whose property was soon after confscated
and they fled to England. where she died in
obscurity. 1t is recorded in Washington's
of his presidency, he had picnic with
some friends in the house of Colonel Nor
RS, which had been confiscated because of
his treason and occupied by a farmer. The
| dinner on this occasion was pronounced
| good
Afterwards Washington found his affinity
| in the person of Martha cambridge Custis
a sorrowing widow of seven months with
two bright little childrem She belonged to
an excellent family, and was reputed to be
the richest woman in Virginia and one or
the most beautiful. Their married life be-
gan in 1888, and each was twenty-six years
OF age. They had good start in life finan-
cially for Washington was considered
worth $4,000 In lands which he had in
herited from members of his family His
tory throws but little light on Mrs Wash
lngton, but 1t is known she was extremely
| illiterate, and wrote and spelled words so
badly that he wrote her letters and then
had her copy the manuscript. For the same
reason he always destroyed the letters
which she wrote him. Hamilton, Jefferson
and Madison often spoke of her illteracy,
but all pronounced her born lady. having
the manners and accomplishments which
education cannot supply Ii goes without
saying that no man was ever more devoted
and faithful to a wife than Washington
was to her II is recorded by Tobias law
his faithful secretary, that he suffered with
a chill that dreadful night before his death
four hours rather than awake his wife to
administer some of the common home rem
edies which might possibly have saved his
life.
When Washington took command OF the
continental army his wife managed the
great estate at Mount Vernon during the
summer but she always insisted on spend
ing her winters with the general at the
headquarters of the army, whether at Bos-
ton. New York, Philadelphia or Valley
Forge. That her presence and submission
to privation had an inspiring effect on the
suffering troops there can be no doubt 1T
is said that at Valley Forge the generals
quarters were little better than a hut, and
yet she insisted on giving entertainments
to the officers and having balls, at which
she and the general always led in the dance
Much of her time was also spent with the
sick and suffering in the hospitals and that
il had a most beneficial effect on the in
mates does not admit OF a doubt WASH
ington was great In things usually consid-
cred small and could never triumph over
a fallen foe. After the surrender at York
town. Oct 10, 1881. which virtually closed
the war he invited his French officers
whose army and navy had given him pow
erful aid, and Lord CORVALLIS and his
staff to dine with him, and they accepted
At the dinner the French officers would
often make remarks calculated TO humiliate
the Vanqutshed British officers, but WASH
ington always adroitly turned the conversa-
ton to more agreeable subjects, and thus
soothed the feelings of his unfortunate
guests. Nj. Il. BDNDX.
New Castle Ind. Feb. Il.
A Siamese Typewrfter.