The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-22
FACTS IN LIFE OF
FIRST PRESIDENT
Notable Events in Life Of
and Characteristic Men,
oirs Of Washington.

He left an estate valued at about
$500, 00O
He was the first and only president
chosen unanimously.
He never made a set speech during
his long public career
His face showed marks from the eff
fects of an attack of smallpox
He was six feet and two inches high
and had large hands and feet.
He loved animals, and his horses and
dogs were all fine blooded stock.
He exercised the veto power twice in
the eight years of his presidency
He had light blue eyes, verging on
gray, and his hair was a dark brown
He was q very good horseman and
fond of riding, racing, driving arAl
hunting.
His mouth was large and he had a
habit of clinching his jaws when in a
serious mood.
Like Lincoln. he was fond of the
theater and attended whenever he
had the opportunity.
Spelling was a weak point with him.
He knew the right word, bat could not
always spell it.
He was a moderate wine dringer, but
did not use tobacco, although he raised
it for export.
He was always in doubt as to his
own ability, and was never adverse to
receiving advice from friends.
Though he was chiId1nss himself,
more than 500 representatives, of the
genuine Washington stock aiz living.
He was a member of the Masonic
order, which IN his day was the lead
ing, if not the only secret society
He always abbreviated his given name,
George, into Go, the "o' being de-
pressed with two dots over It,
He could swear with surprising
vigor and earnestness, and at times
was known to get into towering fits
of anger.
His Farewell Address" published
Sept. 15, 1895, Is one of the most pro-
found documents ever penned by an
American.
He was a hearty eater, and at times
drank deep, but never to the point OF
excess. He always served wine al
meals.
Lotteries were common in his day,
and he was a frequent investor. He
also bet when playing cards, of which
he was fond. s0V@'
He never had a collegiate education.
His advantages were those Of the COM
mon school, and they were poor indeed
at that time.
His handwriting was very legibie
He was careful and painstaking in
cApI 6SSIHS UIInSelI, even IL lie ala not
correctly spell each word.
He played cards and billiards, and
ofteS wagered money at horse races.
He was devoted to outdoor sports and
often went duck hunting ss>
He was fond of instrumental music,
especially the harp, on Is lffeh his step
daughter, Eleanor Parke Curtis, was
a skilled performer.
He wrote poetry, but it was not as
a cd
pers, and accordingly quotations from
it are not found In books.
When he parted from his officers at
the close of the war he shook each by
the hand and put his arms around the
neck of each I'M warm embrace. @F
He was not a brilliant scholar, but
always a careful student and thinker.
He left library of over 1900 books,
mostly on agricultural and military
subjects.
He was very susceptible to female
charms, and was known to have been
in love q good many times in
his youthful days. 1t is said that his
wife was sometimes Jealous.
He was attentive to his personal APP
pearance, somewhat fond of display.
and naturally diffident =, which perhaps
had something to do with ms apparent
reserve and GOODNESS.
He had portraits of himself PAINTED
by Peale. Wright, Ramage, TrumbuH
Savage, Sharpless, C. Stuart. and 9TH
ers, of which no one can be accepted
as entirely satisfactory.
He would take no pay for his serva
ices in the army during the Revolu-
tionary war. To see the country free
was reward enough, but his expense
account, $1,000, was paid by con-
gress.
On Nov. 25, 175s, he was privileged