The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-25
MECHANICS OF STATES. :
An Almost Complete List, with Explanations as to
How the Names Came to be Applied.
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Mesargee, in the Philadelphia Times.

Meeargee, in the Philadelphia Times.
So far as the narrator knows. there
has never been published any complete
list of the colloquial names of our
states and territories. From personal
knowledge, however, and from Incl
dental references in various works con-
Cerning American politics, he has been
able to find what might be termed the
'nicknames" Of all but nine of the
furty-sevcn states that comprise the
Union. The pet name of Alabama,
which alpha betically heads the list, he
has been unable to discover. Arkan-
sas is the Bear state, deriving that
name from it's being a favorite stamp
ing grounds for Brother Brun.
California is the Golden state deriv-
ing its title, needless to say, from the
auriferous stream of wealth that has
poured from it's soil.
Colorado is the Centennial state, on
joying that name by reason of the fact
that it was admitted to the Union Aug
ust /. 1876, the Centennial year,
Connecticut is VariOuSly termed the
Land of Steady Habits. on account of
the alleged staid mental conditions and
personal practices of its inhabitants;
and the Nutmeg state, which rather
gives the lie to the other title, as it has
its origin in A popular belief that the
shrewd Yankees of that commonwealth
imposed wooden nutmcgs upon unSus-
pecting purchasers.
Delaware, sometimes called the Dia-
mond state by reason of its geograph-
ical formation. is more popularity
known as the Blue Hen state, This
latter cognomen originated in the nick
name of a Delaware regiment that
fought in the War Of Independence.
whose commander was a veteran and
enthusias site cock fighter. His favorite
breed had their origin in a blue hen
and he invaria bly, bet his money on
''the blue hens chickens" This name
was finally given his command. and
when it gained renown was attached
to the state which it had honorcd.
Florida for many years was known
as the Peninsula state, owing to its
projecting itself into the Atlantic ocean
and the Cuff Of Mexico, but in later
years Northern tourists who have re-
turned to their home enthusiastic over
it's charms as haven from the rgors
of winter have dubbed it the Land of
Flowers.
Georgia likes to be known as the
Empire state of the South, but it's pop
ular appellation is the Cracker state.
That term is applied i'm general way
to the poor and ignorant whites of the
Southern states, cOntcmptuOusly re-
ferred to by the better fed darkies as
'poh white trash" Their usual article
of food is Indian corn cracked into a
coarse meal and cooked in various in
digestible forms, and from that arises
the name.
Illinois likes to be referred to as the
Prairie state. on account of the vast
empire of rich and rolling soil that
constitutes much of her territory. But
in Western Uarlance she is better
known as the Sucker state. Whether
this nickname comes from the gull.
bilty of her people making them easy
victims for green goods men, or wheth'
er that much dCspised fish, the suck
er frequents her waters in unusual
numbers, the narrator is unable to say
Indiana also lays claim to the title
of Prairie state, but is more popularly
known as the Hoosier state, her borders
contining greater number OF
men with funny tufts of hail
upon their chins and with vest:
that do not meet pantalOOnS
and pantaloons whose bottoms
do not touch their ankles, than any
other commonwealth in this great re
public. The name had its origin in {
customary greeting between indiana
folks in early days, the salutatior be
ing who's YER"
Iowa is the Hawk Eye state, ST
named in honor of ore of the mos
famous of all Indian chiefs.
Kansas. bleeding Kansas as sht
was termed by Northern orators dur
ing the sanguinary days Of the Dor
der troubles forty-fiVe years age, il
variously termed the Garden state anC
Garden of the West.
Kentucky is known in the South al
the Corncracker state for a simila
reason which gives Georgia its pet ap
pellation, but we Of the East, and es
pecially men who love horses, alwayt
speak of her as the Blue Grass stat,
by reason of the herbaeEshat has giv