New-York tribune., 1907-08-04

One Of the great names connected with the early
history ot our country is that Of Robert FuIton.
Most men and women. whether big OF htHe, q
they were asked why We remember Robert Fulton
now many years after his death, would Say AT
once that il was because he invented the steam
boat; ana they doubt know that august u U
this year IS the lgJth anniversary OF the launch
Ing of his boat. the Clermont on the Hudsoh
River But, strange 10 say, Fulton did not m
vent the slezUbcat-although the CleTInohl was
fTOoatly q better steamboat than any that hau
been made belJre-and many Of the Things ne
teaLy aid 60 few people know anything ABOUT. =,
= Ao11 tae less true, however, that ne WIS a. q
genius, and the more know about him the
more proud we shah be that can claim him as
One OF cur c0uutryrl.en.
Robert Fulton was born in Pennsylvania Just
eeFe1 years before the signing OF the Declaration
Of Independence When he was three years old his
lathe died leaviIg the mother of the family with
I'VE children care for and with no very great
amount OF property with which to do it Roberts
progress - school. whore he was sent when h7
Was eight years old, after having learned reading
writing and arithmetic Al home, was not remark
Soi-- lie found the workshops Of the mechanics OF
= s--llt@ice more interesting tlaIi Ihe sciioo4
room, and his teacher said that when he was
,t-hoistfated with for his lack OF appAcatlon 10
= st-f-es ne gave as a reason 1of MS afp@Al |
= ielessIess that his head fun OF oTigln4 Al
1ce@ss that there in il for the storage
@ The contents Of dusty books"
Tie days o5 Fultons childhood and youth were
Ao1 days q peace and quietness and there was
AecessslT-ly much attention given TO the manu-
-@ctaEe 01 firearms. Ills thoughts were naturally
L-Ilea 20 tie invention OF warlike devices, ana
Nhlle 4e was stlu q boy he Was such an expert
elLsi-lth that the makers of his town were SIad
- mike use Of his sketches, not only Tor inc
oeszary parts OF their death dealing Instruments
b4t Tor The decorativ parts well AT this time,
@4llough ne had many unusual tastes ana tai
elNs, he had trait n with nearly every
oIlef boy-he fond CT fishing. He contrlveo
paddle Wheels 20 drive the boat which he and
co1apazion frequently rsee for fishing excuTaons.
eia This was his first attempt e: improved nlsthooa
Q, pzoDelEng boats
ny the time Fulton seventeen he had ceSei-
oPeu his talent for drawing and painting 70 such
al extent tnat he decided to 30 TO philadelphia 10
st7s 4 wider field his labDrs in that direction
"a was 80 successful there in making drawings
- machinery and iD painting landscapes that ile
N1s able II support himself and 10 save enough
- l-- tlFne he was twenty-one to buy siilaA
arm which lie gave to his mother. he mace
l-ahg friends. too among the more distinSulshe'
Itl~efH of the clty. who able to help hiIn il
80 label work, and one Of these was the siea
benjamin Fraukn. But his hard Work De
g r. itlt Oh s health. and lis friends ADVISED
--A u travel Accordingly lle set out for London
ii-e i4s I'd friend. -, nJaIn West, who had hVeo
- tae comfy next tne in which Fulton was
.oin, had settled and become famous. BENJAMIN
nsst and other friends received him kindly III
. o3k6GpD. and wucCe1Efpl@H 21-l