The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-02-27
AN EXCELLENT PROGRAM
Incidents In the Life Of George
Washington Are Re-
viewed
From Mondays Daily.

From Mondays Daily.
George washington's birthday was
celebrated in the Congregational
church last night when patriotic ex'
ercises were held. Addresses were
given by Hon. F. F. Ellsworth and
Judge Evan Hughes, as well as q
short talk by Mayor A. g. Meyer
Special music was also given By the
Quartet OF the church and bassoon
sclo by F. A. Fisher. accompanied
on the piano by his daughter, Miss
Lucille.
FIR. Never was introduced by the
pastor. Rev. Edward Constant. in his
remarks said that while he did not
always agree with the ministers he
respected them for their honesty,
and believed that they were good
men and hard workers for their
cause. He spoke OF the religious at
u,ospherc of the city and said that
the magnificent church buildings Of
the city proved the interest OF the
citizens in religious matters.
He then introduced Judge Hughes,
who spoke of Washington as man.
MIR. Hughes referred briefly TO Wash
ington's ancestry and then told OF
his boyhood in Stafford county, yir-
ginia. He dwelt particularly on the
influence of Washington's mother on
his life and spoke of her as a
woman of great business ability.
gentle birth. dignity, sober mind. but
Of little education and widowed at
az early age with comparatively lit
tie means"
Mr.? Hughes spoke OF the cherry
tree Incident, and the killing OF the
colt, as related Weems, IS being on
their face ridiculoualy false" The
real facts concerning Washington's
youth" he said. "are few. He re-
ceiyed what would correspond with
a common school education OF today,
with particular attention paid to
mathematics. He was well de-
veloped muscular boy, and leader
among his school fellows. He was
honest and true and of unusual
promise.
He left school at the age OF fifteen
and was employed by Lord Fairfax
in surveying. about the only occupa-
ton with Virginia gentlemen found
open - them. 70 the lasts year OF
his hG3i lie, while Washington
was a % lax icr this occupation,
ne d, ..d tsat bUld and handsome
Land r. aPich was SO well
know - .H'- iassy life. He also
wrot, ---..~--4>,.. numbering more
than 90 aa -, tie, the chief
thCul 10 g. AZ g. practice OF self
COntr e.. gEfE W. irington was no
ordin bc y
Mr.. neliez sEya Of the good in
fuent ~ lord "a AK on the boy,
and ulsv-aei E,u-f.g as n man OF
excel cd .7uaar IA strong char
aeter.
He saw in Washington q young
nan of worth and gave him the task
Of surveying the vast Fairfax estate.
Washington went into the wilderness
Of this land, school boy and came
out one o. the first soldiers of the
colonies and a leading man OF yir-
ginia.
AS the twig is bent so the tree
will grow I believe that there Is no
hotter key to a correct understand
ing of any mans character than a
clear understanding of the mans
Surroundings and bent OF his youth.
=, story comes to mind Of an Incl
dent which occurred after Washing
ten had retired from public life and
gone TO his home at Mount Vernon,
hich shows something of his char
actsr as an older man.
John Bernard. the English actor
who came TO America i'm the year
when Washington jeff the presidency
was playing an engagement with his
company in 1898. One day as he
was riding along toward the banks
of the Potomac, chaise In front of
him, in which rode a man and a
young woman, was overturned, and
the occupants were thrown out.
AS Bernard FASTENED TO the res
cue another Ihorseman came from
the opposite direction to give his
assistance. The carriage was turned
on its side and bores at least. half a
ton OF luggage. The stranger who
arrived last took out the baggage
from inside the vehicle and he and
Bernard together grasped the wheel
ard righted the vehicle. After ex.
changing a few remarks with the
owner of the chaise and declining an
invitation TO accompany him to get a
drop OF something sosiable,'. Der.
nard had an opportunity to observe
his fellow rescuer. He saw man
who was evidently well advanced In
years, tall, erect. well made, but who
appeared to have retained all the
vigor and elasticity resulting from q
life of temperance and exercise.
Bernard thought there was some.
thing familiar in the face and figure
but the stranger first asked him "a
accompany him to his home and
pointed to Mount Vernon. The
efranger vas Ceor<e washin gfon