davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
Mrs. WaShington'S
Noble Character

In the course of the year following
the French and Indian war, Col.
Washington had paid his addresses
successfully to Mrs. Martha Custis, to
whom he was married on the 9th Of
January, 1853. This lady was three
months younger than himself, widow
of John Parke Custis, and distinguish
ed alike for her beauty, accomplish
ments and wealth. She was the daugh-
ter of John cambridge. At the time of
her second marriage she had two
children, a son and daughter, the
Mr. GUSTS had left large landed estates
in New Kent County, and forty-five
thousands pounds sterling in money.
One-third part of this property she
held in her own right, the other two
thirds being equally divided between
her children.
By this marriage an accession of
more than one hundred thousand dol
lars was made to Col. Washington s
fortune, which was already consider
able in the estate at Mount Vernon,
and other lands which he had select
ed during his surveying expeditions
and obtained at different times. To
the management of his extensive pri-
vate affairs his thoughts now turned.
He also took upon himself the guard
ianship of Mrs. Washington's two
children, and the care of their proper
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
Thought Always of
CoNntry'S Welfare

In a letter to Colonel Hamilton, a
delegate in Congress from the state of
New York, Washington said: MY
wish to see the union of these states
established upon liberal and perma-
nent principles, and inclination to
contribute my mite in pointing out the
defects of the present constitution, are
equally great. All my private letters
have teemed with these sentiments,
and, whenever this topic has been the
subject of conversation, have endeav-
ored to diffuse and enforce them; but
how far any further essay by me might
be productive of the wished-for end, or
appear to arrogate more than belongs
to me, depends so much upon popular
opinion and the temper and DISPOSE
tons of the people that it is not easy
to decide. 1 shall be obliged to you,
however, for the thoughts which you
have promised me on this subject, and
as soon as you can make it convenient.
No man in the United States is or can
be more deeply impressed with the
necessity of a reform in our present
confederation than myself. No man.
perhaps, has felt the bad effects of it
more sensibly; for to the defects there
of, and want of power in Congress,
may justly be ascribed the prolonga-
ton of the war. and consequently the
expenses occasioned by it. More than
half the perplexities l have expert
enced in the course of my command,
and almost the whole of the difficulties
and distress of the army, have had
their origin here. But still, the preju-
dices of some, the designs of others,
and the mere machinery of the ma
jority make address and management
necessary to give weight to opinions
which are to combat the doctrines of
those different classes of men in the
field Of politics"
To Lafayette he wrote: 1--WE are
now an Independent people, and have
yet to learn political tactics. We are
placed among the nations of the earth
and have a character to establish; but
how we shall acquit ourselves time
must discover. The probability is Eat
least 1 fear it, that local or state poll
more liberal and extensive plan OF
government which wisdom and fore
sight, freed from the mist of prejudice,
would dictate, and that we shall be
guilty of many blunders in treading
this boundless theatre before we shall
have arrived at any perfection in this
art; in a word, that the experience
which is purchased at the price of diff
ficulties and distress will alone con-
vince us that the honor, power and
true interest of this country must be
measured by a continental scale, and
that every departure therefrom weak
ems the Union, and may ultimately
break the band which holds us togeh-
er. To avert these evils, to form a
new constitution that will give con-
sistency, stability and dignity to the
Union and sufficient powers to the
great council of the nation for general
purposes is duty incumbent upon
every man who wishes well to his
country, and will meet with my aid as
far as it can be rendered in the private
walks of life"
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
@ GEOR GEZN]A nNGTON~

own bosom, unless some further agi-
tation of the matter shall make a dis
closure necessary.
Il am much at loss to conceive
what part of my conduct could have
given encouragement to an address,
which to me seems big with the great
est mischiefs that can befall my coun-
try. If am not deceived in the knowl-
edge of myself. you could not have
found a person to whom your schemes
are more disagreeable. At the same
time, in justice to my own feelings, l
must add that no man possesses a
more sincere wish to see ample justice
done to the army than l do, and as
far as my powers and influence, in a
constitutional way extend, they shall
be employed to the utmost of my abil-
tiles to effect it should there be any
occasion. Let me conjure you, then,
If you have any regard for your coun-
try, concern for yourself or posterity,
or respect for me, to Danish these
thoughts from your mind, and never
communicate, as from yourself or any
one else, a sentiment of the like ma
ture. I am. sir. etc.
George Washington"
Such was the language of Washing
ton, when, at the head of his army and
at the height of his power and popu-
larity, it was proposed to him to be-
come king. After this indignant re-
ply and stern rebuke, it is not prob
able that any further advances were
made to him on the subject.
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
e e e e
Early Selected
for High Honors

Although Col. Washington retired to
private station at Mount Vernon at
the close of the frontier warfare, he
did not neglect his duties to the public.
Still holding the Office of adjutant-gen-
eral of the militia, he circulated orders
for them to assemble at certain times
and places to be exercised and re-
viewed. So much were the inhabitants
alarmed at the recent successes of the
enemy, that their martial spirit re-
ceived a new impulse, and volunteer
companies began to be organized.
Their ardor was stimulated from the
pulpit and it was in a sermon to one
of these companies that the accom-
plished and eloquent Samuel Davies
pronounced the celebrated encomium
in a single sentence, which has often
been quoted as prophetic. After prais-
ing the zeal and courage which has
been shown by the Virginia troops.
the preacher added: LAS a remark
able instance of this, 1 may point out
to the public that heroic youth, Col.
Washington, whom cannot but hope
Providence has hitherto preserved in
so signal a manner for some important
service to his country" This was but
the echo of the general voice, and it
is a proof of the high estimation in
which the character of Washington
was at that time held by his country
men, and of the hopes it had raised.
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
e e rs e
Washington Chosen
COmmander-in-Chief

At the outbreak of the war of the
revolution, it should be said, to the
credit of the New England delegates,
that they were among the foremost to
propose, and the most jealous to pro-
mote. the appointment of Col. Wash
ington to the chief command. AS the
contest had begun in Massachusetts.
the inhabitants of which had been the
chief sufferers. and as the existing
army was mostly raised there, it could
hot have been thought an extravagant
assumption had that colony aspired to
the honor of furnishing a commander
in-chief. But, happily for America,
the patriots of that day rose far above
the sordid aims of selfishness and par
ty rivalships.
While the discussions were going on
in Congress respecting military prep
arations, Mr.. John Adams, one of the
delegates from Massachusetts,, moved
that the army, then besieging the Brit
ish troops in Boston, should be adopt
ed by Congress as a Continental army;
and. in the course of his observations
enforcing this motion. he said it was
his intention to propose for the office
of commander-in-chief a gentleman
from Virginia, who was at that time a
member of their own body. His re-
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
WERE HERE FOR BUSINESS.
Tell What Things They Need and
Want and ask for Them.
RESOLUTIONS COVER MUCH.

Wichita, Feb. 15.-The last Meeting
of the association was business and
nothing but business Resolutions
were adopted by the Livestock Associa-
ton on number of subjects vital to
their interests. They took strong
ground against the passage of the oleo
bill pending in congress. They say
that such law will prevent the manu-
facture of Oleomargarine, thereby re-
ducing the market value of cattle at
least s.. SO head or SCI 900, 900 each
year.
Full power was given the executive
committee to act upon the proposed
consolidation of the association with
others of the same character
A comprehensive statement of the
freight rate situation was formulated
in resolution urging congress to give
the interstate commission more power.
They declare that as substantially
every complaint that has been or would
be brought before the commission in
wolves the question of the reasonable
ness of rates it can readily be seen that
court decisions practically wipe out the
only real power the commission was
supposed to have, and limits its useful
ness to the collection and PRONUNCIATION
of statistics; the general and marked
advance in rates during the past three
years of unexampled prosperity to the
railroads were apparently unnecessary
and seemingly unwarranted upon any
other theory than the intent of the
railroads to exact all they could. They
emphatically protest against the rail-
roads being the sole arbitrators of their
charges and excating what they think
the traffic will stand.
They declare that the handling of
trains of stock exceeding twenty cars
in number is a menace to the best in
terests of the stock grower and shipper,
and to the life and limbs of the parties
in charge of the stock, and that rail
way companies are requested to limit
| trains carrying stock, to the above size.
One resolution advocates the making
of the limit of homesteads, west of the
Tooth meridian in Kansas and Olxlaho-
ma, $40 acres, and asks congress to
make this the law.
President Wilson announced the ex-
| ecutive committee for the following
year, consisting of: George Carr, Wood
ward, o. T.; Court Brown, Liberal,
Kan; George Brett, Ponca City, o. T.. !;
Orth Connect, Cupid, o. T.; ]. P. Camp
bell, Ashland, o. T.
Oklahoma City captured the conven-
ton for next year. Guthrie, Ponca
City and Woodward were all candi-
dates, but Oklahoma City won in a
| walk
Addresses were made at the closing
session by G. NJ. Walden, Kansas City;
j. II. Neff, Kansas City; Colonel L. A.
Allen, Kansas City, and John Field, of
the Oklahoma experimental station.
Mr.. Walden spoke on "Drouths and
Their Lessons" He made about the
same speech that he delivered at Chi
cago, with the Kansas section Topped
Off
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
Police Matrons Meet.

Wichita, Feb. 12.-The police matrons
of the state of Kansas, Iowa and Mis-
souri, will hold meeting the first week
of March in Kansas City for the pur-
pose of forming an organization. Every
city of the first class in the state ex-
cept Atchison, has police matron
Police Matron Mrs. Shields, of this
city will read a paper before the con-
vention on ''The Harmonizing of the
Work of the Police Matron and Charita-
BILE Organizations
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
Title of Monarch
Sternly Put Aside

When the revolution ended and peace
officers and soldiers, respecting the ar
rearages of their pay, increased, and,
there being now a prospect that the
army would ultimately be disbanded
without an adequate provision by Con-
gress for meeting the claims of the
troops. these discontents manifested
themselves in audible murmurs and
consequences. But a spirit still more
to be dreaded was secretly at work.
In rejecting on the limited powers of
Congress, and on the backwardness of
the states to comply with the most
essential requisition, even in support
OF their own interests. many of the
officers were led to look for the cause
distrust the stability of republican in
situations. So far were they carried
by their fears and speculations that
they meditated the establishment of
new and more energetic system. A
colonel in the army, of a highly re-
spectacle character and somewhat adj
vanced in life, was made the organ
for communicating their sentiments to
the commander-in-chief. In a letter
deliberately and skilfully written, after
describing the gloomy state of affairs,
the financial difficulties, and the in
Vulnerable embarrassments in which
the country had been involved during
the war, on account of its defective
political organization, the writer adds:
This must have shown to all, and
to military men in particular, the
weakness of republics, and the exer-
lions the army have been able to make
by being under a proper head. There
fore l little doubt that, when the ben
efits of a mixed government are point
ed out and duly considered such will
be readily adopted. In this case it
will, 1 believe, be uncontroverted, that
the same abilities, which have led us
through difficulties, apparently insur-
mountable by human power, to victory
and glory, those qualities that have
merited and obtained the universal es-
TEEN and generation of an army, would
be most likely to conduct and direct
US in the smoother paths of peace
Some people have so connected the
ideas of tyranny and monarchy as to
find it very difficult to separate them
1t may therefore be requisite to give
the head of such a constitution as l
propose some title apparently more
moderate; but, if all other things were
once adjusted, 1 believe strong argu-
ments might be produced for admitting
the title of King, which 1 conceive
would be attended with some material
advantages"
To this communication, as unexpect-
ed as it was extraordinary in its con-
tents, Washington replied as follows:
'Newburg, % May, 1882.
''Sir-With a mixture of great sur
prise and establishment 1 have read
with attention the sentiments you have
submitted TO my perusal. Be assured.
sir, no occurrence in the course of the
war has given me more painful sensa-
tons than your information of there
being such ideas existing in the army.
as you have expressed, and 1 must view
with adherence and reprehend with
severity. For the present, the com
munication of them will rest in my
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20

Incident Typical
of WaShingtOn'S Life

A story illustrative of the firm and
determined character of Washington is
told in the following description of af-
fairs during the frontier warfare:
The labors and dangers of the field
were not the only troubles with which
Col. Washington at this time had to
contend. BY an ill-timed parsimony,
the pay of the officers was reduced so
low as to create murmurs and discon-
tent throughout the camp. Complaints
grew loud and vehement, accompanied
with threats to resign and leave the
army to its fate. Under this pressure
the character of Washington shone
with the same purity and lustre that
often distinguished it afterwards on
similar trying occasions. In his letters
to the governor he assumed a firm and
manly tone, demanded for himself and
his associates an allowance equal to
that received by the kings troops, and
deprecated the idea of being placed
upon footing. which should imply an
inferiority in rank. or in the value of
their service
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
Separated Fifteen Years.

Joplin, Mo-, Feb. Nv II. Clark,
so years of age, was reunited to his
family after an absence of fifteen years,
during which time he did not know of
their whereabouts nor they of his He
left his wife and six children near Man
chester, Ia, in 1887. He intended to
go to South Dakota and was in wreck
on the railroad between Siox Falls and
Minneapolis and remained in hospital
for over two years without being able
to tell the hospital authorities his name
or address
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20

Topeka, Feb. 15.-Passenger Agent
]. w. Black of the Santa Fe said:
I'm my opinion the stories which
have been sent out from Chicago con-
corning the purchase of the Mexican
Central by either the Santa Fe or Rock
Island are nothing more or less than a
smooth scheme which the Rock Island
is working to advertise its new FL Paso
line. do not believe there is any
truth in the stories which have been
printed. The newspapers are swallow
ing lot of this stuff"
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
Two Western BoYs.

Boston, Mass, Feb.-Raymond Ore
son, freshman from Usage City. Kas,
has been honored with election to the
office of treasurer of the Harvard Uni
versity Christian Association, and fam
player from Enid, o. T., member of
the sophomore class, has been elected
president. Frantz is the leather lunged
young man who led the cheering at
the Harvard Yale foot game last fall.
All the newly elected officers are prom
inent in athletics.
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20

Secretary Hay has a copy Of Oliver
Goldsmith's Life of Shakespeare" an
early and rare edition, but it has a
greater value than its literary rarity,
in having come from the library of
George Washington. Washington's
personal oookplate. the familiar arms
of his family. on which the American
flag was modelled, adorns the inside Of
the cover, and the signature OF the first
President appears on the title page. as
clearly as if it had been written yes
terday. instead of more than a hum
dred years sc~
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20

marks were so pointed that all present
perceived them to apply to Col Wash
ington, who, upon hearing this refer
ence to himself, retired from his seat
and withdrew. When the day for the
appointment arrived, the nomination
was made by Mr.. Thomas Johnson of
Maryland. The choice was by ballot,
and, on inspecting the votes, it was
found that Col. Washington was unan-
imously elected. AS soon as the re-
suit was ascertained, the House ad-
journed. On the converting of Con-
gress the next morning the president
communicated to him officially the no.
tice of his appointment, and he rose
in his place and signified his accept
ance in a brief and appropriate reply.
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
Bolton Counted About Right.

Wichita, Feb. 12.-Biliy Bolton said
there would be 5000 cattlemen here if
the weather was good. Well, The
weather is good and his guess is prob
ably fully realized. The combination
sale of blooded cattle and horses, to the
value of 500, 900, mas been fetching
feature in the matter of attendance.
The high up breeders are all here and
their herds are represented. Large
delegations come from st. Louis and
Chicago and, of course, Kansas City is
here in force.
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
Omaha Hereford Sale.

Omaha, Feb. 1.-THE sale of Here
fords was the largest ever held at the
South Omaha yard. Fifty-two animals
were sold and brought an average price
of S1s3.50. the top being $3.50, paid by
Mrs. NJ. f. Karr, of Marine, Ia, for the
COW Bessie. The bidding was spirited
and participated in by bidders from
Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, several of
whom were ladies. The pavilion was
crowded with large audience, which
listened to an address on Beef Cattle"
by John Costing.
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
IS e e e
Ora titude of
CongreSS Shown

When Washington returned to New
burg. at the close of the revolution,
he found letter from the president. of
Congress. asking his attendance on
that assembly. then in session at
Princeton. The object of this request
was to consult him on the arrange
ments for peace. and other public con-
Germs. While he was making prepara-
tons to leave camp Congress conferred
on him new honors. 1t was voted
unanimously that an equestrian statue
of General Washington should be
erected at the place where the resi-
dence of Congress should be estab-
lished, and that it should be executed
by the best artist in Europe, under the
superintendent of the minister of the
United States at the Court of YER
sailles.
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
81 Die Hard. but
1 Am Not Afraid

After Washington's retirement from
the Presidency, his health was remark
ably good; and. although age had not
come without its infrmities. yet he
was able to endure fatigue and make
exertions of the body and mind with
scarcely leb- ease and activity than he
had done in the prime of his strength.
On the 18th of December. 1899, he
spent several hours on horseback, rid
ing to his farms. and giving direc-
lions to his managers He returned
late in the afternoon. wet and chilled
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20

ty, which trust he discharged with all
the faithfulness and assiduity of a
father, till the son became of age, and
till the daughter died in her nineteenth
year. This union was in every respect
felicitous. 1t continued forty years.
To her intimate acquaintance and to
the nation, the character of Mrs.
Washington was ever theme of
praise. Affable and courteous, exem-
plary in her department, remarkable
for her deeds of charity and piety, I'M
ostentatious and without vanity, she
adorned by her domestic virtues the
sphere of private life, and filled with
dignity every station in which she
was placed.
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20

while he took this high stand in
defending the just claims of the Off
GERS, he endeavored to calm their feel
ings and reconcile them to their con-
dition by appeals to their honor and
the obligations of duty. I have COM
municated your sentiments to the 9TH
er officers said he to the governor,
and, as far as l could put on the hypo-
critic, set forth the advantages that
may accrue, and advised them to ac-
cept the terms, as a refusal might re-
fleet dishonor upon their character,
leaving it to the world to assign what
reason it pleases for their quitting the
service And again, Il considered the
pernicious consequences that would at
tend disunion and was therefore too
much attached to my country's inter-
ests to suffer it to ripen.' In this way
he concealed his uneasiness, and tran
quilted the minds of his officers, a.
though he felt the wrongs they suf-
fered, and approved the spirit that
would not tamely submit to them.
AS to himself, it was not so much
the smallness of the pay, that gave
him concern, as the indignity and in
justice of having his services estimated
at lower rate, than in the British
establishment, when in reality no SER
vice could be more severe and hazard
GUS, or less promising of glory, than
the one in which he was engaged. Now
if we could be fortunate enough said
he, to drive the French from the Ohio,
as far as your honor would please to
have them sent, in any short time, our
pay will not be sufficient to discharge
our first expenses. 1 would not have
you imagine from this. that l have
said all these things to have our pay
Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-02-20
Patrick Henry's
Worthy Tribute

Mr.. Writ relates an anecdote OF
Washington which shows i'll what esti-
nation he was held by the members OF
the first Congress. Soon after Patrick
Henry returned home, being asked
whom he thought the greatest man
in Congress, he replied, IF you speak
of eloquence, Mr.. Rutledge of South
Carolina is by far the greatest orator;
but, if you speak of solid information
and sound judgment, Colonel Washing
ton is unquestionably the greatest
man on that floor" This opinion was
verified by every act of his life. His
knowledge, on the subjects to which
he gave his attention, was most thor
ough and exact; and all the world
has agreed that no other man has
given such proofs of the soundness of
his judgment.