New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-20
BORN Il CENTURY AGO.
Franklin Pierce, Last President
from Nezo-England.

1t Is interesting coincidence that the pres
mt year, which marks the centenary of the
firth of Nathaniel Hawthorne, will also witness
on November % the celebration of the Tooth
anniversary of the birth of his intimate friend,
Franklin Pierce, Mexican War veteran, and the
Last President of the United States chosen from
New England.
Franklin Pierce was the son of a typical coun-
Try gentleman, Benjamin Pierce. At the time
Franklin born the elder Pierce was living
IN a farm at Hillsboro n H., few miles from
Concord, the State capital. There are still a
lew persons in the old town of Hillsboro who
remember Franklin Pierce a youth. He was
tardsome they say, with brown curly hair and
blue eyes. He high spirited, but kind and
open hearted, always ready for a lark and a
linSleader in every boyish escapade He de-
lighted in athletic sports and social amusements,
which ne cultivated at the expense of his books
His first schooling was received in little red
brick schoolhouse with the other village chill
dren.
The Pierce house was a stately Colonial struct-
ure in the midst of extensive estate. It
surrounded by lawns and gardens, and near by
was artificial pond, spanned by a neat sum-
mer house, constructed in such manner that
one could fish while sitting comfortably in the
Shade of it's lower apartment. In later years
Geer were introduced into the grounds, which
became one of the first deer parks in the coun-
try. The building is still standing, being used
a boarding house. 1t still contains much
of interest including the heavy embossed wall
paper brought from England many years ago.
and gorgeous with highly colOred pictures of
tournaments castles and marine views.
Franklin Pierce entered Bowdoin College in
1920 at the age of sixteen. 1t was at the be-
ginning of his sophomore year that he met HaW-
thorne The latter, a youth Of the same age,
about to enter the college freshman,
and the two boys found themselves in the same
stagocoach on the rough journey to Brunswick,
Me. The friendship which began then lasted
far beyond that of many schooboy attachments,
for men in later years Pierce and Hawthorne
continued to visit each other and found great
pleasure in being together. Hawthorne was shy,
reserved and mclanchoiic, but the sunshiny
presence Of Pierce always served to make him
cheerful and almost gay.
Pierce as 4 college man fond of the lively
side of life and neglected his studies. once he
found himself without the answer to alb
struse problem in algebra. He happened to
wander into the room Of a cassmate and
ticed the problem carefully worked out on q
slate 1t was but a moments work to copy it.
He entered the classroom and WAS the first man
called upon to recite. To the amazement of the
Instructor, he presented the most difficult prob
lem of the lesson ready for inspection. In
prise the teacher exclaimed: why, Pierce,
where did you get this?'
where did / get it?' the future President re
Piled why from Stoves slate, to be sure"
The reply was made in such a matter of fact
tone of voice that the class cOnvused with
laughter.
After spending two years at college young
Pierce suddenly realized that he wasting
Ms time. and turned to his books, studying SO