The Washington herald., 1913-02-12
TRIBUTE IS PAID
YOUNG CORN BOY
Representative HeAin Eulo-
gizes Lester Bryant, Who
Was Asphyxiated.
ADDRESS ELOQUENT ONE
"He Was on Firing Line in the Battle
for Bread" Says the
Speaker.

An eloquent tribute TO Lester Bryant.
of Kentucky, the young corn boy VINO
was asphyXiated I'm roOming house in
this city recently. while on a trip given
him as a prize for raising more white
corn on an acre of ground than any
other grower in nearby states, was voiced
in the House yesterday by Representa-
tive Hehin of Alabama. MIR. Hefiin has
nationwide reputation as one OF the
South's sweetest singers. and his ef-
fort of yesterday afternoon cannt but
add luster TO his reputation as an orator
of force and appeal.
After reciting the untimely death of
the unfortunate boy. Mr.. Hefiin contin-
ued:
when the Secretary of Agriculture
called for boy volunteers to help increase
the corn supply OF the United States this
boy became volunteer in the army of
American corn growers. This army was
composed of 15.eo American boys. and
Lester Bryant was only private IN the
ranks. but. MIR. Chairman, there was
chance for promotion-an opportunity
was given to become an honored cap
tain in that industrial army. This
youthful Kentucky farmer at the end of
twelve months service was one of fifty
boys chosen from the ranks OF I5coo as
prize winner in contest where in
dustry and skill of high order were es-
sentiaI to success. He won his promo
ton from the place Of private In the
ranks to the Office of captain in this
industrial army. and he came here to re-
ceive his commission at the hands of the
Secretary of Agriculture-the command
er-in-chief of the corn boys army.
Haiscd Enough for Eleven Men.
He has done more for his State and
nation in emphasizing the marvellous
possibilities of one acre of ground than
thousands of men who have lived. their
lives three-score years and ten.
He was on the corn boys firing line
in the battle for bread. He had enlisted
in a noble cause and before lie was ff-
teen years of age surpassed all that had
been accomplished on the British farm
in the heyday of its production when,
as Goldsmith in his Deserted Village
wrote. Every rod of ground maintained
its man.. He produced on four roods of
ground or one acre enough corn to main
tain not four but eleven men. He
had overcome difficulties that stood in
the way of generations of farmers before
him. He had removed the barriers over
which thousands of farmers had STUN
bled in their efforts to make the earth
yield her increase. He wooed the soil
and she told him her secrets. He
touched the growing corn with the magic
wand of his skill and genius and it re-
sponded with luxuriant growth to his
intelligent touch. This young Kentucky
farmer, this little wizard of the corn
field, has rendered his State and nation
a great service in showing the productive
possibilities of the soil. He has made a
splendid contribution to scientific agri-
culture.
The example of his sturdy life and the
work that he has wrought will be of
benefit to his fellows in the years to
come. He did not lean upon his hoe and
gaze upon the ground as did the despond-
ing peasant in Markham's Man with
the Hoe but with head erect and light
upon his face stood there on his fathers
farm perfect little prince in the king