Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-07-26
New News Of Yesterday
The Magic Of a Name

Matt Head, the full and unabrevia-
ted name of one who gained national
repute when he was elected governor
Of New Hampshire, owed a part.of
his popularity to his intense interest
in and zeal for every good thing which
was associated with that State. He
also gained popularity which was
worthy Of him by reason of his fine
sense of humor and his cordial de-
mocraoy ir his personal manner He
was nominated for governor Of New
Hampshire in the late seventies at
time when the greenback excitement
had spread from the West to the East
and had, in fact, dominated the vot-
ers of the state of Maine. The green
back party was Of considerable
strength in New Hampshire, so strong,
in fact, that the apprehension was
great that its vote would be sufficient
to defeat any Republican candidate
for governor.
Mr. Head was nominated, and after
a desperate political battle triumphed
by so small a majority that SOME Of
the wits of New Hampshire said that
a microscope was necessary to dis
cover II. But he was elected, and
majority OF one, as James B. Blaine
once said was as good as a majority
Of 100000 so far as acknowledgment
Of the rule of the majority is con
cerned.
Il was while Mr.. Head was COVER
nor Of New Hampshire hat he enter
tanned some friends who visited him
at his home near Manchester with an
incident associated with the early life
of Daniel Webster. Like all sons of
New Hampshire, Mr.. Head took pride
In the fact that the great Daniel was
born in that State and that In his
boyhood days he played in the foot
hills of the White Mountains.
Every citizen of New Hampshire
said Gov. Head, "gloried in the career
of Daniel Webster. That feeling was
illustrated at a time when in his early
married LIE, Webster took brief va
cation from his law Office duties He
drove Mrs Webster into the heart of
the White Mountains and he had In
mind the securing Of q guide who
could take him to the top of Mount
Washington When he made inquiry
he was told that Mr.. Crawford who
had a farmhouse at Crawford Notch,
where he entertained travellers, was
the best guide TO the top of Mount
Washington to be found anywhere in
the White Mountain region. Having
thus been informed, Webster drove to
the Crawford farmhouse There came
from the door strong brawny man.
In his shirt sleeves.
on, Innlrlno f,~ Az, ~, r~Fo~d
said Mr. Webster.
The farmer replied quickly, That's
my name
Then Webster said to him, I have
heard that you are the best guide to
the top of Mount Washington, and I
should he glad If you would take me
up this afternoon.
THE farmer shook his head deci-
sively and emphatically. He would not
60 up to the top OF Mount Washington,
with anyone In so short a time, be-
cause II would not be safe to do So
II would take all day 70 60 to the top
and back again safely
"Thereupon Webster turned TO Mrs.
Webster and said that he would have
TO forego the trip to the top Of Mount
Washington. Mrs. webster asked.
Why, Mr. Webster can't you per-
suade him to take us TO the top of
Mount Washington tomorrow? When
the farmer heard that name his whole
manner changed. He approached Mr..
Webster looking intently at him and
then asked Is this Daniel Webster p
Yes, that is my name, was the re-
ply.
Well, If YOU are Daniel Webster,
III take you to the top of Mount
( Washington any time. day or night,
and III go to the ends Of the earth
with YOU If you want me to-.
That remark" said Gov. Head.
shows what the feeling in New
Hampshire for the god-like Daniel
was then, and it has never changed"
Copyright. 1915, by E. ]. Edwards
All rights reserved)
Tomorrow-Mr. Edwards will tell
OF "A Far-off Tribute to an American
President"