The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1910-02-17

n. HAVE been for some time gather
ing bits of queer gossip and tradi-
ton about George Washington.
= A large number of his papers are
on file in the State Department at
washington. The National Museum
has one of the largest collections of
Washingtonia In existence. Alexan-
aria Is full of unpublished traditions
of George Washington. spent
couple of days there some time ago,
and though / found no one living who
had ever seen Washington, | got
fairly good idea of him from the stor-
les concerning him which have been
handed down from father to son.
Mount Vernon is only nine miles from
Alexandria. Washington got the
most of his supplies at Alexandria.
He went there to vote. and until a
few years ago the little Office in
which he did business there still
stood. 1t was at Alexandria that
Washington met General Braddock.
and with him started out on that dis
astrous campaign. His last review
Of troops was made from the steps
of an Alexandria hotel about year
before his death, and when | last vis-
lted the town I was offered a mahog-
any bed which had stood in this ho-
tel and on which, it was said. Wash
lDgton had slept many time.
How Washington Really Looked.
From the traditions of Alexandria,
and from any other sources, / have
tried to make up In my minds eye
picture of George Washington as he
really was. He was exceedingly tall,
and, when young, quite slender He
had enormous hands and feet. His
boots were No. 13 and his ordinary
walking shoes No. 70. He was a man
Of muscle. During his service in the
army he weighed 200 pounds. and
was so strong that he could lift his
tent with one hand, although 1t usual
iy required the strength of two men
10 place it on the camp wagon. I
mean, of course, when it was folded
mp and wrapped around the poles.
Washington could hold musket with
one hand and fire it. He was a good
shot and a good swordsman The
pictures of the father of his country
make one think that Washington was
p brunette. His face Is dark and
somber. The truth is he had a skin
like an Irish baby, and his hair was
almost red. He had broad chest,
but not full one.
His voice was not strong, and dur
ing his last days he had a hacking
cough. His eyes were cold gray, and
It Is said that he seldom smiled, al
though there is reason to believe that
he had considerable humor about
him. His nose was prominent. He
was particular as to his appearance
and fastidious in dress. He wore
plain clothes and always kept himself
well shaven. acting as his own barber.
Knocked Washington Down.
Washington was an leminently
fair man. He had a quick temper,
but as rule he kept it under con-
troll. Sometimes. however, 1t got the
best of him. This was the case once
In Alexandria. One of the county Of
hcers told me the story as we stood
Dn the second floor of the market
house in Alexandria and looked down
ut the open court within 1t, which
Is now filled with hundreds of booths
where the farmers bring their pro-
ducts for sale on market days. 'It
was on that spot" said the officer,
washington was knocked down by
Lieutenant Payne. Payne was a can
didate for the Legislature against
Fairfax, of Alexandria. Washington
supported Fairfax, and when he met
Payne here. he made a remark that
Payne considered an insult, and
Payne Knocked him down. The story
L. l.