Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-03-11
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

George washington was born Fep,
ruary 20, 1882. There was no unlteo
States when he was boy. Most OF the
people were English who lived IN inc
colonies in those times. The newest OF
the colonies was Georgia, which was
settled a year after George Washington
was born. Although Georges rather
was a rich man the house in which ne
lived was neither large nor very small
at least it would not be thought so now
1t was a square wooden building WIN
four rooms on the ground and an attic
above, but George did not live long IN
this house when he was about three
years old his father moved to announcer
plantation which he owned near hunt
ington plantation, but it is now called
Mount Vernon.
-Four years, after this Washington's
house burned down. George was now
seven years old. Georges first teacher
was a poor sexton whose name was
Mr.. Hobby George learned to spell
easy words and write little. He was
about eleven years old when his father
died. He was left for his mother to
educate him and do what she could
George thought he would like to be 4
sailor. A sea captain agreed to take
George with him. Then letter came TO
his mother from his uncle who lived IN
England. The letter read thus: III you
care for your boys future do not let
him be a sailor This convinced his
mother and half convinced his broth
ers, but George said: "a sailor ! shall
be- He was in high glee as he thought
he was going with the sea captain;
Good by, mother" said George, and
he began to feel very sad at the
thought of leaving her. Good by.
George" said his mother as the tears
were swelling in her eyes. Never
mind, mother" said George. Il have
changed my mind. will not be!a sailor
I am going to stay at home" He then
thought he would like to learn to sur
vey, and so he did and before the VIM
ter was over, Sir Thomas. an old gen
tleman made bargain with George 70
in March in the year Of '174S when.
George started out on his first trip
across the mountains. His only COM
pany was young son Of William
Fairfax After several days they
reached the beautiful land of Shenan7
doah. They now began their surveying
One day they met a party Of Indians.
There were thirty of them. with their
foreheads painted in true savage styles
for they were going home from war
with some other tribe. The Indians
and they sang and yelled far into the
night. To George and his friend it was
a Strange sight. but they were brave
Young men and not likely to be afraid
even if THE danger had been greater.
George Washington was elected
president in 1889. After holding office
for eight years, which was two terms
people wanted him for another term.
hut he would not take it. He returned
to his old home. Mount Vernon. Two
years later he died. He died December
IA, 1899. He left no children. 1t is said
that providence left him childless be-
cause the people Of the country wanted
to call him father. His sudden death
was shock to the entire country
Every one felt as though they had lost
a personal friend. The mourning for
him was gentle and sincere. He was
buried near his old home place. His
home is kept Just as he left It. 1t still
goes by the name of Mount Vernon.
Rosa McGarry. age IA.
Lovilia, Iowa.