davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

neglect OF Wakefield Plantation Is that
the old farm was visited by vastly great
er numbers OF people few years ago
than II has been more recently. The
secret Of the whole thing Is that Wash
ington's birthplace Is very isolated. In
deed, II would be difficult to ind more
out-of-the way uook ~ the eastern part
OF the United States No railroad ap
proa aches within tnsuy miles Of il. ard
the only means Of access Is found IN the
steamers plying up and down the Fo-
toInac River In Gays gone by these
river craft carried many interested per-
sons to Wakefield The United States
gover.fr Mt built Il pier at the piarta-
ton and steamers were enabled TO iand
passengers almost ~ the site Of the
manor house 10 which Washington was
born
During recent years. however. the gov
eminent pier has been In shoal water.
ane none or the river steamers can
reach T. The sightseer who now sstE
out TO visit Wakefield Plantation had
best have plenty Of time at his disposal
and not be deferred by BneA g4cse1 obsts
cies. The ar-' ttsgA u ths joaeasy b
made By sAemrr frog nc Tor 70
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

Colonial Beach. a summer resort iocated
not so very far from the mou h Of the
river. and at point where the stream
is some eight or n!ue miles wide. Colon al
Beach il, Indeed. desert village in
winter. with IHfrrquent STEAMER comm.
nicafieH with the ui.t ile world 50 hglt
the stIanger who would make toe pilgrim
age to Wakefield under thu 81 . ss!ble
conditions IS 80 ised 10 pOstp ne uls ex-
cursi8n until the zuD1 SOS season.
Arrived At Joion al 3ea b The c tizen
seeking 10 hoaor - Wash ngtan's mem
DRY lAs the E'te.uative Of eAartering
ight-tlraft IauncD TO convey him to Wake
hel9 pier or Of engaging a seh!cie OF
whatever SOFT Offers for drive Of sey-
eFal miles across country be latter
route is perhaps, 10 be preferred. for II
carries the visitor through q baekwoods
section u Ole virginia where the prtni
tive conditions prevailing are calculated
20 ca1se progressive Yankee 10 gasp
With establishment. Moreover, the col,
0red guide and driver. provided to pilot
the precs,'2u-- Appearing carr al" y
socAi oraess tGSse observation sre alone
E0rta "a past Of admission
Ho~eyer, the sF'tO. vi sny senti-
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

victory. A happy illustration Of this
was when one Christmas night the sol
diers were quite ready to give up and 50
home. They were camping on the banks
of the Delaware Pointing to the other
side, he said: "Our enemy Is camping
there" They we're Hessian soldiers. and
since II was Christmas night, they were
celebrating. II was with difficulty the
army crossed, for the night was Wild.
dark and cold, But. In spite Of the great
blocks OF ice on the river, Washington
managed to get his army across and
victory was the result A more difficult
year was spent in Valley Forge. 1t was
a long, cold winter, the soldiers hungry
for food, and they did not have enough
clothing and blankets to keep themselves
warm. Many times they were on the
verge Of mutineering. 1t was only By
means Of his tact and good Judgment
that he brought harmony into camp ane
gave the war successful ending.
After leaving the army he went back
home and spent much time improving
the farm. The Mount Vernon estate
gradually became an expensive AFFAIR.
Here he kept open house, and never q
DAY went bJ WAAnput nAH itNNAfAAk AAstNsN
and friends. Some OF the dinners ana
leyees were often elaborate, aud be strug-
gled hard not 10 appear bored. He had
hoped to spend the rest Of bis life amons
these pleasant surroundings. He oftsA
told his friends: Let those who wish
such things as office be at the head q
things. do not wish them. All desire
nov IN to settle down at Mount vernoa
and to enjoy NY farm" But after the
Constitution was ratified and the votes Il
the electors were opened and counted u
was fouud that everyone had voted feF
Washington. During mis- presidency be
had many knotty problems, but he met
them all with good sense and Judgment.
Because he played the double role Of
commander OF the army and the nrss
president OF this nation equally well ha
Is entitled to the name. the Father d
His Country.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

Valley Though the work was no easy
task, he was SO strong and enthusiastic
he acquitted himself exceedingly well.
He did not go aIone-a boy, George Fair
fax, went as his aid. They rather en-
joyed the new experience of hunger, cold
and facing Indian strategy In latei
years George recalled his experience of
rocShing it In the Shenandoah VALLEY
with g.eat pleasure This work was sud
denl Interrupted by sickness In the fam
lily. I.awre.ce. his half-brother, was Ill
and the physicians sent him 10 the West
Indies. George went along to keep him
company, only TO be taken with small
pox. Although Lawrence started for
home. be died after his return. This was
a great shock TO George. for the brothers
were exceedingly devoted but the sting
of this loss was partly forgotten by q
commission to go TO the French who
were building forts on English territory.
He was made major at the age Of % and
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19
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uct for food snd clothing. His early
years were spent ON the farm, with
plenty OF exercise and little schooling.
George loved to tramp across the fields,
forests and to swim in the streams. His
education was gained at country
school where be was taught for three
hours a day. Limited as his educate
was, be was fond OF reading, ana he
had book into which he copied every
taing he wished to remember, In this
book he put many rules which he him
self had formulated. These are only
few OF the many:
Labor to keep alive In your breast
that little spark OF celestial Gre called
conscience.
Think before you speak."
"Whlsper not IL the company Of
others
Lawrence, one OF the half-brothers. had
been sent to England to school, and the
parents had planned the same for George
but the father died suddenly, and Mrs
Washington realized she could not afford
to send him across the oce2n. The boy
had spent considerable time OIL the wharf
and talking to seamen had awakened a
desire for adventure These stories
created a desire TO earn living 30 :
sailor, and he suggested II to his mothe-
Mrs Washington did not like the idea
Of having George leave home nor did
she approve of his career He was sent
! back TO school to study surveying. When
not studying be was training his com
pany of boys =. become soldiers. and he
often got very impatient when they made
mistakes
Shortly after his brother Lawrence had
married the daughter of Lord Fairfax n
member OF this family took a great In
terest in the boy, He bad such n fancy
for the lad no put him TO surveying a
large tract of land In the Shenandoah
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

lieve that the yistas presented between
the massive pillars Of this portal must
have surpassed even the famous yie"'
from the yeranda ri Mount Vernon, the
home Of Washing, N during Lis maturs
years On either side OF the site OF WASH
ington's birthplace are groups Of noble
trees. which have the setnblance OF silent
sentries guarding the spot
Most visitors to Wakefield are willing
10 believe that the cherry tree which stlH
stands near the site Of the mansion Is an
ofTshoot Of the historic sapiiug which met
such untifnely fate al the hands of the
New Worlds hero. As may be sufmised,
the points or interest connected with
WashingtOns boyhood are not as nu-
nlerous Ut Wakefield a. would be the
case had the plantation buildings been
more carefully preserved. Almost the
sole remnant now remaining Of the old
time structures are the slave quarters, a
row OF abandoned log huts, several Of
which ere now used As corncriDs. land
mark Of the vicinity Is Georges Greek.
which has taken Its name from the hero,
who. as o boy. romped on It's banks.
A. has been said, the historic spot at
Wakefield has not been left unmarked.
although isolated and neglected insofar
AZ the tide Of tweu tieth. century tourist
travel is concerned. II was In 1895 that
tbe national government erected az Wake
Geld q copy or facsimile 10 reduced size
Of the Washington National Monument
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

Washington's advice. The General was
shot tn one Of these engagements. With
this the Redcoats began TO run, but
Washington tried to call them back. All
day he was In the midst of the hght.
-Four bullets went through his coat and
two horses were shot under him.
The war at an end, Washington re-
turned home. He was anxious TO see his
mother. whom he had not seen in some
time. Though Mrs. Washington was
not brilliant woman, she had llenty Of
good judgment and common sense. and
wac always ready to give her son wise
counsel Proud though she was of her
boys energy and desire to serve bis coun.
try, she was careful not TO spoil him by
excessive praise. She loved to hear Of
the hazards OF war. but she emphasized
the dancers more theh ~, 1s..'s success.
Hardships and cong fought campaigns
had done much TO Impair his health, aud
he went to Willlamsburgh to consult
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

ment In his makeup Is bound to be q
tribe saddened by ,be appearance Of
that Wakefield estate o. many traditions
as II stands today IN magnificent decay.
A simple granite shaft marks TIE spot
where Washington VAS born. aud q Few
bricks and stones are sH that remain
Of his early bone Here was spent
George Washington Infancy, hos nood
and early manhood - this secluded
rural home the parents luculeatee In tbeir
son those prin1pies which made % hlm
50 able leader In after years, and this,
too. was the scene Of lis 6oyish prauks.
including the famous cherry tree episode.
In after years Washington made no Sc
eret Of the fact net tails pastoral r.teat
looking out upoa the placid waters Of the
Potomac was TO bin. one o. the dearest
spots On earth.
The old country msusIon where Wash
ingtOn was born was burned early IN
the last esDfury but the brick chimney,
within whose a.cn four people could SIT,
and the corners. 9Bes, with q portion Of
the founda ton, we're saved. Shortly be.
fore the ctFil War the histoy.e farm
D ssed into the hands Of family which
II erst showed -ome appreciation for its
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

sent on a perilous journey of over
thousand miles. He had many narrow
escapes in his journey over noun
talns, fording streams and through FOR
ests where Indians lay in hiding. After
his interview with the French COM
mander he started for home. The Jour
ney back was worse than going, for the
rivers were full of ice and the Indians
were exceedingly treacherous. The
French governor refused TO heed English
commands and continued to build forts,
so George Washington was appointed TO
command soldiers TO march against the
French in the spring. This was the be-
ginning of war between the French and
English, which lasted seven years Gen
eral Braddoek was seat over from Eng.
land and George was made a colonel and
commanded the Virginian troops Though
Braddoek was a capable general, he did
not understand the art of hghtIng the
Indians and refused TO heed young
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

VIII dnIbtiess come as sonnet MFG g.
surprise to most readers. and pos
sibly rs something of a shock. to learn
that one OF the most historic localities
connected with the career of the foremost
American should be today almost wholly
neglected by his countTymen. This notable
object OF neglect In this age of patriotic
shrines Is none other than the birthplace
of George Washington at Wakefield Plan
tation, on the Virginia shore Of the
Lower Potomac River. 1t IL not that
this significant spot is unmarked--a CRATE
full nation has seen to II that no place
associated with George Washington is de-
void of monument or commemorative
tablet-but that II Is seemingly wholly
unknown to those countless thousands Of
patriotic pilgrims who delight TO do hoin.
age to Washington by visits to localities
rendered conspicuous through his career
The neglect OF Wakefield. where the
Father OF His Country first opened bis
eyes upon the world. Is all the more
strange when II is pointed out that Il IL
located less than half a days journey BY
steamer from Mount Vernon-that pre-
eminent mecca for the American tourist
and for foreign visitors which is visited
each year by thousands upon thousands
Of sightseers The people who visit the
Old Dominion primarily 10 see Mount
Vernon never think OF returning home
without a peep st the quaint town Of
Alexandria. where Washington attended
church and engaged in other public &C.
tivities. and not few Of them also make
journeys to various historic mansions
which the arst president designed or
built, as. for instance. the mansion which
he built for his beloved Nelly Custis, but
seemingly the touring throng has quite
overlooked the fact that the savior OF his
county had q birthplace.
The odd thing about this present-dsy
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

- HOUGH the pages OF American his
A tory are adorned with the names of
- many great men, none are brighter
and more beautifully described in letters
of chased gold than those OF Washington
ana Lincoln Students Of history are
divided in their judgment which Of the
two men is the greater. But 1t Is not
really important that this question be
decided. Destiny planned certain line
of work for both men. and ley did that
work we'll Their innate ability is only
partly responsible for their success; It
was their unselfshness and desire to do
well whatever they undertook which
helped them to succeed where others
might have failed II Lincoln deserves
praise because necessity spurred him on
to greatness, Washington deserves as
much credit because he became great
without being driven on by necessity.
Destiny demanded a double role of Wash
fngton-she made him a soldier and a
statesman, and he performed both well.
His trials as president were almost as
great as those he encountered as com
mander-in chief OF the army. He was
placed at the head of a new form Of gov
eminent, and did not have grecedence TO
guide him In bis undertaking. 1t was his
early training which taught him to think
calmly and with Judgment. His mind
once made up. to act without fear
He was born on the banks Of the Pc
tomac River in a farmhouse; though the
house was far better than a log cabin.
IT was not the mansion II is supposed
to have been. II was large roomy
\ MIA will siopiuy nd a
big outside chimney at either end. He
. was one of many children His father
was rich In crops and land. though he
had little real money. Most Virginia
( farmers planted tobacco. and when
money was scarce they traded this prod
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

at the American capital. This unadorned
shaft, which Is somewhat similar (thO1Gh
larger to the one at Yorktown marking
the spot where Lord CORVALLIS surren-
dored to the comma uder-in- chief OF the
Continental Army. Is visible for sorna
distance ON the Potomac River, but caa-
not be seen from the decks OF the regn-
lar river steamers by reas n OF the fact
that the navigable chan1e is several
miles distant
The monument bears lie inscription
"WashingtGn's Birthplace" and Ia smaller
letters al the base are the words Erect
ed by the United States, A. d. 1895
The patriotic women who have OF late
years done so much to preserve the name
OF Washington IN shrines of historic as
sociatlonB have not wholly overlooked
Wakefield. In the neglected burying
ground Of the Washington family on the
plantation there may be seen one mod
ern monument handsome marble SLAB
placed over the grave OF Washingtons
father q few years since. The slab bears
the following inscription;
ain memory of Augustine WASH
inzton, father of George washing
ton. Born in the year 1924. Dted
May ~, f743. This stone WAC
placed here by the society of the
Colonial DANES OF America In the
stnte of Virginia"
Although this one grave Is marked,
there are other graves Ia this. the fam
~ Aurying ground OF the Washington
family that show sad need Of fostering
care The ancient iombstones OF yari-
Gus members OF the Washington family
are moss grown. clipped and show the
snd havoc worked by the rnyages OF the
weather In not q few Instances the In
scriptions 10 old time script are almost
tIlegible. and the whole appearance of
the burying ground Is dila2idated ana
uueared for a barb wire fence, In none
too good repair, IL all there Is to pro
tect the graves from trespass oy wan
dering cattle
Several times during the past few years
there has been broached by patri -
pie a project for rebuilding the old msu%
sion az Wakefield, placing In consplcu-
GUS portion Of the structure the few
bricks remaining from the old house aud
using the original eornerstones. IL thtf
plan is carried out, 1t Is probable that
the undertaking would also contemplate
1 restoration OF the old Ourying ground.
with provision for its proper care here
after An unexpected circumstance has
lately served 10 indirectly direct public
attention to neglected Wakefield. STRAIT
ford. the old home If Light Horse"
Harry Lee and birthplace OF Gen. Robert
r. Lee, stands In Westmoreland county,
Va. not many miles distant from WaAs-
field. and the steps recently taken by ths
Daughters Of the Confederacy looking
10 the restoration Of Stratford and itn
utilization as a memorial museum have
naturally directed attention 10 that Other
historic spot 10 the vicinity which, fof
the credit Of the American people, should
be rescued from rs present state u
abandon. WALDON FAwCETT.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19
A Fnmops Irish MN.

From a very early date until the sixth
century the famous Hill Of Tarawas was
the chief meeting place of the Irish
kings. The palace and royal banqueting
hail we're built on II, and visitors are
sim shown a pillar which Is supposed to
have been the ancient coronation stone
II was the site Of university, and the
center Of Irish learning, and place OF
gathering for the Druids and musieiana-
Between the second and the hfth cen
turtles It was the scene OF triepnial as
semblles. aud In $50 IL witnessed q crusk-
Ing defeat Of the Danes.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-19

Senator George s. Nixon, OF Nevada bss
a farm of 1900 acres ia W. oming
rounded by fence, as well - an 5000
acre farm In Nevada. In addition to
these his many recently acquired gold
mlees yield him an immense income
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-09-18
Jnioue Southern Railroad.

The Public Belt railroad OF New
Orleans has been partially completed
and is about ready to begin business.
This Belt railroad is unique. The en-
tire water front on both banks OF the
Mississippi river belongs. with the eX-
ception Of several special landing
places. to the municipality itself. In
order to enable the railroad cars 10
reach the wharves and to lie along
side the ships for the transfer and eX-
change of cargoes the city OF new
orleans. owning the river banks. has
built slong the river front a railroad
whose tracks connect with those or
all the trunk lines reaching this city
and by means of this municipal rail-
way IT is a simple affair to receive
cars from all the trunk lines and 10
deliver cars to all these lines. and
either connect with the shipping in
the river or with the stores, ware
houses and factories in various parts
Of the city. and With vhieE he ks!'
connects.-N. o. PicaYune.
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-09-18
BRIDE RALKED AT THE ALTAR.
Massachusetts Girl Refused to Wed
Count and Denounced Him.

At st. Stanislaus' church, Fall River,
Mass, Angela Pawlow, daughter of a
merchant, absolutely refused to go on
with the marriage ceremony that was
to unite her to Basyl Mulinski, who
says he is Polish count and the
owner of an estate in Russia.
The marriage had been set for
eight o'clock The church was crowded
with friends and relatives. The bride
groom had answered an exultant
Yes" to the usual question, and the
bride, in a white silk wedding dress
with long veil and wedding bouquet,
seemed to smile as Father Basin
turned to her and asked: "Will thou
take unto thee this man to be thy
lawfully welded husband?"
The bride dropped her hand from
the arm of the bridegroom. She
turned and faced the crowded church
and answered loudly:
mo; he has been unfaithful to me
before marriage. l will not marry
him."
Then the girl ran down the aisle to
her mother The audience was dunn
founded. Before it really appreciated
what had happened the church officials
had cleared the church.
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-09-18
Copyright, 1905, by W. o. Chapman.
SYNOPSIS.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY
RAY WALTERS

The Escapade opens, not in the ro-
nance preceding the marriage of. Ellen
Slocun, a Puritan miss, and Lord Car
rington of England, but in their life after
settling in England The scene Is placed,
Just following the revolution, in CARING
ton castle in England. The Carringtons.
after a house party engaged In family
tilt caused by jealousy Lady Caring
ton agreed to cut cards with Lord strain
gate, whose attentions to Ellen had be-
come a sore point with Darlington. The
loss of 100000 failed to perturb her, and
her husband then cut for his Wifes l. y.
u. and his honor, Darlington winning.
Additional attentions of Lord Darlington
to Lady Cecily and Lord Strathgate to
Lady Darlington compelled the latter
to vow that she would leave the castle;
her chum Deborah, an American girl,
met Lord Strathgate at two a. M, he
agreeing to see them safely away. He
attempted to take her to his castle, but
she left him stunned in the road when
the carriage met with an accident. She
and Debbie then struck out for Ports
mouth, where she intended to sail for
America. Hearing news OF Ellen's night,
Lords Darlington and Seton set out in
pursuit. Seton rented a fast vessel and
started in pursuit. Strathgate, bleeding
from fall. dashed on to Portsmouth, for
which Darlington, Ellen and Seton We're
also headed by different routes. Strath-
gate arrived in Portsmouth in advance
Of the others, finding that Ellen's ship
had sailed before her Strathgate and
Darlington each hired a small yacht to
each supposed Ellen had sailed. Seton
overlook the fugitves near Portsmouth,
but his craft ran aground, just as capture
was imminent.