Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-25

dams. When they reached the Ale
ghany river the ice would not 40 &c
cross on for it was in blocks moving
I'D and down the river. They made
raft and started to cross, but Washing
ton was thrown. into the water am
was wet through. He had to leave his
wet clothes on all night and they froze
stiff on him for it was in winter. The
men got back to the English fort IL
safety
In May, 1775, he was made com
mander-in-chief of the American army
He fought the English bravely and lee
our country to victory. Washington
was looked upon by everyone as the
great man of the country The sol
diers almost worshiped him. -,
could not go anywhere without. great
crowds gathering to see him. Hescould
have made himself king II he had
wanted to, but instead OF doing this
he went back to Mount Vernon and
became simple farmer again. Few
men in Washington's place would have
done as he did.
The news of his election as presl'
dent reached him April IA, 1889 With
many painful feelings Of regret he left
Mount Vernon to plunge once more
into public life. His neighbors ana
friends expressed in warmest terms OF
feeling how sorry they were to lose
him from their midst, and said to MIN
in q farewell tone: THE first and
best OF citizens must leave. Our aged
must lose their ornament. Our
youths their model; our agriculture
it's improver; our commerce It's
friend: our infant academy it's protec'
tor, and our poor it's benefactor. TO
that being who maketh and unmaketh
at his will we commend you, and after
the accomplishment Of the arduous
business to which you are called, may
he restore to us.again, the best or men
and the beloved fellow sitizen." Such
were the good wishes which followed
this truly great man from the valley
OF the Potomac. And all along his
course, many rose up to call MIN
Blessed.
Z At Trenton over the little stream
rendered memorable by the campaign
of 1776 an arch was made, Wreathed
in flowers and laurels. and on II IN
large gilt letters the Inscription, "Ihe
Defender of the Mother Will be the
Protector OF the Daughters" Matrolls
and maids and children came out 10
meet him with baskets Of flowers
which they scattered at his feet. he
New York, then the seat
of government, in barge with tnlr-
teen oars, accompanied, by boats galiy
decorated and bands of music. When
he landed at Murrays warf, the rosr
OF a cannon and Joyful acclamat1ons
of the multitude rent the air.
April 80 the ceremony of Inaugural
ton took place on the balcony OF the
old federal hall. Chancellor Living
ston administered to Washington the
oath by which he swore to uphold the
of the United States. Inc
ioyful shouts of the people testified the
feelings with which they recognized
their first president. After the cere'
mony they all went down to st. Pauls
church and prayed Gods blessings on
the new president.
At the commencement Of Wasnlng.
ton's administration the conditions OF
The country were trying ones. the
treasure was empty. Indians on the
north and western frontiers were nos
tile. The pirates of the barbary
states attacked his ships in the Med
and condemned many an
American citizen to slavery or
dungeon. And he had to enforce the
laws. and make the taxes. He served
eight years. When his term OF once
expired he went to Mount Vernon ana
lived there till he died. He died Dec.
IA, 1899.
Ruth Maring, age IL,
Feb. 1910. r. F. D. 8, Ottumwa.