Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-07-17

1893, when Philadelphia was visited
by yellow fever, and more than 1850
fell victims In three months, DR.. Rush
was one Of three physicians who
nobly remained at their posts. james
Wilson was young Scotchman who
came to this country when he was
twenty-one. BY the time he was only
twenty-six he was the acknowledg ed
head of the Philadelphia bar. The
name Of this s1gner has recently been
brought into notice. He died while at
Edenton, North Carolina, but in 1905
his remains were brought to Philadel-
phia- where they were inferred in the
graveyard Of Christ's church, There
were appropriate ceremonies in which
many lgal and patriotic societies took
part, as we'll as representatives Of the
national government. George Clymer
was another delegate Of sturdy patriot
ism, and so was James Smith. The
latter was man Of genial disposi-
ton, keen sense Of humor. and great
benevolence. George Taylor was an
Irishman, and came to this country TO
avoid studying medicine. He worked
y,
became It's proprietor. John Morton
was a boy but had three months
schooling, but this was followed ~
such wide reading and study under
the supervision of his stepfather, that
in tt1no ne became one of the judges
Of the supreme court CT Pennsylvania,
George Ross, still another of the
Pennsylvania signers, must have been
a model delegate, for his conduct in
congress was SO highly approved by
his constituents that they voted him
more than SIX hundred dollars with
which to purchase piece Of silver.
| But Ross was as modest as he WAS
loyal, and he refused the gift.
Massachusetts.
The five delegates from Massachu.
sets Bay formed famous group.
Elbridge Gerry was in public life
many years. From the time when he
| first took his seat in the general court
of Massachusetts Bay, at the age of
twenty-nine, TILL as vice president of
the United States, under Madison, he
| died at the age of seventy, the story
Of his life is the story of devotion to
country. Robert Treat Paine was
born, SO the chroniclers tell us, "of
pious and respectable parents" He
entered Harvard at the age of four
teen, and on graduating he taught
school for time in order to earn
enough money to study law, and in
time he won distinction as an able
lawyer. The careers Of John Adams
and his kinsman. Samuel Adams, can
not be summed up in a few words.
John Adams was man Of marvellous
Industry, serving. in congress on no
less than ninety different committees.
He was twice vice president before
filing the presidential chair for one
term; and the closing years Of his
busy and useful life were frightened
by watching the career of his son,
John Quincy Adams, who, in time, also
| became PRESIDENT wonderful record
only equaled by the Harrisons of Vir-
ginia. John Adams was said to have
t'the clearest head and the ffrmest
heart of any man in congress. Sam
lueI Adams embarked for time in
commerce but this proved as disas-
trous as his political life was brilliant.
He made no secret Of his wish for In
dependence, and this so irritated Gov
ernor Gage that he issued his celebrat-
ed proclamation in which he promised
pardon to all who would lay down
! their arms, excepting only from the
| benefit Of such pardon, Samuel Adams
and John Hancock" He held many
honorable offices in the young state
OF Massachusetts, and in time he sue
ceeded John Hancock as governor. He
died in his eighty-second year, very
4 IT,, Go 1% hn OIL
''the poor gentleman" But now his
country glories in his 1llustrious
name and record. John Hancock was
born leader, and at the age Of thirty
nine he was elected president of the
! immortal second continental congress.
Though rich man, he was sincere
patriot, for when 1t was proposed
to lombard Boston, he gave prompt
and hearty assent, though 1t would
have caused his financial ruin. He
Loyalty declared that his private for
tune should on no occasion oppose an
obstacle to the liberties Of his coun-
try. OF all the signatures on the
Declaration, we recall Hancock's first;
for he said, when he wrote his name
The wrote with unusual distinctness
that George III might read it with.
out spectacles" Hancock was COVER.
nor of Massachusetts for many years
Virginia.
i The Virginia signers all came ot
prominent families. Carter Braxton
was educated at William and Mary
college, and this was followed by q
three years soiourn abroad On his
return he was drawn into local poll
tics and for many years he was e
notable figure in the history Of mis-
colony. Benjamin Harrison entered
public life while he was still young
man. Great Britain recognized his in
fluence and sought to conciliate him
but his patriotism was sturdy and he
was not to be bought over. In time
he became governor Of Virginia, and
popular one he proved. Thomas
Nelson, Jr., was one Of the richest
men in Virginia, in those far-awas
days, Like Carter Braxton, he was
born to wealth, and his education was
!; completed in England. One incident
of his life shows us how true patriot