The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-05-03

purpose intended. TWAS talked at one
time of putting General Grants remains
here, but this also was never done.
The Capitol stands in the center of
beautiful park of about So acres, filled
with trees and shrubbery of all kinds,
and crossed by nice cement walks and
asphalt driveways. There are many
strange trees here-trees that | sup
pose you never even heard of. Here is
the linden from Germany, the horse
chestnut from Persia, the saphora jap
onica from Japan, and the lloelrenteria
paniculata from China. q do hope you
can get your tongue around the last one
without pain to yourself) Christ's
thorn, said to be the tree from which
were plucked the thorns to make the
crown of thorns worn by the Savior,
and the Judas tree, supposed to be the
tree upon which Judas Iscariot hanged
himself, arc both here. Also the silver
bell, magnolia, bull bay, cucumber,
plane, smokebush, tulip, yew, turkey
oak, and many other strangers, besides
the trees familiar to Decatur county.
We often hear of false women, but did
you ever hear of a false sycamore? And
here is the great Whahoo tree, a species
of winged elm. Sounds like yahoo,
doesn't it? l never knew there was
such a thing as whahoo tree, nor a
tree that could fly.
Facing the Capitol on the east is the
statue of George Washington, about
which have already told you. Sitting
with his back to the building on the
west is our old friend John Marshall.
You say you don't know who he is?
Why, child, he used to hold the same
| n. ~ roc hot IN
and Mr.. Holden hold to the city of Leon
United States, and very great man
indeed.
On the east front of the Capitol is
whore our presidents are inaugurated
on the 4th of March every four years.
They are trying now to change the date,
so that the Inauguration will occur
later in the spring when the weather is
better, and the danger of the president
catching pneumonia may be lessened.
March weather in Washington is about
like it is in Iowa, and you know there
are few days when bald-hcaded man
cares to stand outdoors two or three
hours in Iowa's March weather.
On Wednesday evenings throughout
the summer the famous National Marine
band plays in the east plaza, and the
park is a great place for the people to
go on hot summer nights to get a bite
of fresh air. 'Tis said that the guards
have great deal of trouble keeping the
spoons from getting mixed up. On a
clear night it is a fine sight to stand on
the west front of the building and look
up Pennsylvania Avenue and over the
great city, with the streets studded
with lights and the tall buildings ablaze
!, from every window. 1t is a fine sight,
but sometimes we think we would eX-
change it all for but glimpse of the
} lightning bug lit streets Of old Leon.
The Capitol and grounds are under the
authority of police board, which acts
through it's captain, and the captain in
} turn gives his orders to our friend
) Lieutenant Jones, who in turn sees that
) we, the public, behave ourselves while
under his jurisdiction.
) Upon reading the above, | find that
there are, perhaps, a good many things
: pertaining to history and some figures
| running up into the millions that &C
| beyond your present schooling. Fol-
explanation of any such l would refer
you to Edna, who, | know, will be glad
to enlighten you. The meaning Of the
big words (some don't know myself
{ you can find in the dictionary; and, il
r that should fail you, go to the Doctor il
? your extremity-he will know.
: Now, Miss, if this letter is not Ions
t enough to suit you, just let me know
S and when write about the museum,
: will surely give you plenty.
l With much respect, am,
Yours sincerely,
: G. A. WOOD.