The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1909-04-30
WASHINGTON ELM SEED
Oroville to Have Offshoots
From a Historic
Old Tree.
COMES FROM OLD CAMBRIDGE
The Elm Under Which Washing
ton Took Command of the
Continental Army.

Among the old and esteemed eastern
readers of the late Palmer Mountain
Prospector, who has manifested his
continued interest in the Okanogan
country by enrolling himself as sub
seriber of the GAZETTE, is Mr.. Frank
lin Perrin, of Cambridge, Mass. Re-
Gently the editor of this paper received
the following kind interesting letter
from that gentleman, containing a
package of the seed mentioned
CAMBRIDGE, MASS, April %, 1909.
DEAR Mr.. DALLAM:
AS you live in the state of Washing
ton, send to you few seeds from the
Washington Elm, as your state ought
to have in it some decendents of the
tree under which Washington took
command of the army.
Notwithstanding the cutting of it's
roots by digging "a sewer on one side,
and laying gas and water pipes on an
other, and placing a foundation for the
monument ON the south side, it still
Is vigorous old tree as you will see
by the enclosed photograph.
Sincerely yours,
FRANKLIN PERRIN.
lnclosed with the seed was a picture
of this historic old elm, "a beautiful and
vigorous specimen of that species of
shade tree, to all appearances sound
and healthy, with Il gnarled and ro-
bust bole and giant branches covered
by wealth Of foliage. 1t no doubt
sprouted before the landing of the Pill
grim Fathers, as it was of lusty growth
when with barred head the great Wash
and modeStly assumed command of the
raw levy of patriots, who were, under
his inspiration and guidance to wrest an
empire from the mother country and
lay the foundation for the great re-
public that exists today and will en-
dure forever. A monarch among its
surrounding like this patriarch of the
forest to all appearances is hale and
hearty today, unmarried 10y storm or
the ravages Of age. 1t stands living
monument to the past, llourishing after
the work of human hands performed
within its lifetime has crumbled to dust
and become forgotten. Generation
after generation has come and gone
since it sprung from the seed, and it
seems destined to survive many more
generations. It is, as it should be, the
pride of the city that can boast of it's
possession, and is always an interest
ing object to visitors. A brief sketch
accompanies the picture and reads as
follows:
Washington elm on north side of
the Common, Cambridge, Mass. On
the morning of July 3, 1775. under this
historic tree, Washington, accompanied
by his general officers, formally took
command of the Continental Army,
which was drawn up in order upon the
Cambridge Common. The exercises
were simple. Washington made "a few
remarks, drew his sword, then assumed
command of the army which he led on
to victory
The seed of the elm have been placed
in charge of Mrs. +. a. McMahan, wife
of our popular mayor. The lady is an
enthusiastic lloriculturist, and takes a
deep interest in the growing of plants.
She will plant the seed and carefully
watch the development of the shoots
until such time as they can be safely
transplanted, 1t will be the aim to
to have one or more of these Wash
! inuton plms set ont IN the lots tO he
occupied by the town hall, and if care
is taken in their protection in few
years Oroville will be in the posses
| sion of otlShoots of that celebrated tree.
| And we feel satisfied that when once
the tree shows signs Of taking root and
tlourishing public interest will be SC
great that succeeding city officials will
! make provisions for its safeguarding