Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1911-10-28
MOUNTAIN HOME
CIRLSECURES PRIZE
Mis-. Ether Lonsfellow Win: Hon
ors Over l47C Contestants on
Life Of Columbus.

topher Columbus, now that Idaho has
made Columbus day a legal holiday
the local knights of Columbus this
year offered three prizes-$3O, $15
and $5--for the best three essays
written by students OF the state ON
the life and character of Columbus
and the effects of his work.
Three judges we're selected to pas
upon the ssays- General George H
Roberts, Mrs. L. r. McCalla and Cap
tain b. G. Davis. One hundred and
forty-sayen manuscripts were present
ed. These wene numbered and judg-
ed wholly upon their meuits the tudg
es not knowing who the WRITER'S were
untl alter their decisions were render-
ed They also assert In their report
that they did not reject any essay for
noncompliance with the strict rules
of the competition. They awarded
the first prize to Miss Esther Long
fellow of Mountain Home; the second
to Miss Helen Shinners OF Boise and
the third to Miss Julia Taylor of Boise
Miss Longfellow's paper lis given
herewith in full. The other prize
winning essays may be given i'm a lat
en- issue.
Character Of Christopher Columbus.
Christopher Columbus was an indi-
vidual whose contribution to the ad-
vancement OF civilization has been
very little appreciated or realized by
the great majority OF modern people.
He was the virtual founder of this
nation, and it DIS ito his memory that
we ow the respect and attention due
only to the greatest benefactors of
mankind. Had 1T not been for the i'm
domtable resolution and tenacity OF
purpose, which was such an inherent
attribute of bis character, we should
not, today, hold a position among the
mighty nations OF the world.
Columbus was the originator of a
new epoch in the worlds history.
His courage in Drawing the perils of
aav0yage which no man, however ven-
turesome, had yet undertaken, and
his perseverance under the many diff
ficulties which confronted him, COM
mand the respect of those who have
given a httle time to the study of his
life. He 1dsked all-his worldly pos
sessions, his honor and his life for his
convictions, and he believed that he
had been led by the hand of God to
undertake this great enterprise.
While yet very young he showed
a strong passion for geographical
knowledge and din his later years he
looked back upon this stage in his
cancer with a superstitious feeling
that this desire for learning had been
an impulse from God, that he might
be better fitted for the great mission
of his Mfe.
He seemed to be one of those gem
fuses who form themselves and who
succeed i'm spite of all impediments
and privatdons, becoming more effici-
ent in srMmounti ng obstacles as each
one ds vanquished. Washington
Irving says of him, i'm his famous
Lite OF Columbus: "Such men
learn to effect great purposes with
small means, supplying the deficiency
of the latter by the resources of their
own energy and Invention. In every
undertaking the scantness and appar-
emit insufficiency Of his means enhance
the grandeur OF his achievements.
He has been most unjustly accused
OF selfishness and avarice when his
high aspirations and ambitions were
truly noble and lofty. His gains he
intended for the most unselfiGh DUR
poses. He planned to aid the poor
In his native city, he contemplated
the founding Of many churches, he
hoped to forum armies for the recovery
Of the holy sepulchre- thus his re-
wards were to be appropriated i'm the
same pious and princely spirit which
they demanded.
Elements, both practical and poet
teal, were combined in Columbus, q
&tfbination indeed rare. In the re-
cords OF hds voyages he does not
merely give the technical "details of a
navigator, but he also observes the
beauty Of Nature, with the keen enjoy
ment of a poet Or an an st. Even
the pecuniary embarrassments, the
temporary reverses, which he suffered
were newer able to daunt that valiant
spirit or to quench his ardor.
On account Of the mystery which
enveloped the age in which he lived,
Columbus may. be excused for his
surerstitipsness which was certainly
not caused by ignorance. He seemed
to be able to predict With more than