Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-31
George Washington =
Ruth Aurora Davis

George washington was born Fepru-
airy %, 1892 near Bridge Creek, WEI.
county, Va, of English par
ents. He did not go to college, but was
a surveyor in early life. When only SIX
teen years old he went into the foresle
of Virginia to survey some land ~ ~.
longing to Lord Fairfax. He did Tue
task so well that he was asked to IN.
dertake a much more difficult anu
dangerous journey. ~.
At the time the Great Woods as the
land beyond the Ohio river was tneh
called, was claimed by both the Engusn
and French The English and ti,e
French both tried to gain the frleno. :.
ship Of the Indians. The governor o.
Virginia sent message to the French,
telling them the land belonged to me
English and the French had no 11sh'
to build their forts upon it. The per
son to be sent was to make his way ~
miles and miles through great forests.
He must cross a range OF mountains =
and rivers He was also expected ~
make friends with the Indians.
So George Washington was to under-
take this dangerous task to carry Lne
message to the French commander. me
day Washington received his orders ne
started on his journey with some "ni'e
men and two Indians. They carried
their supplies with them on horsepack'
They rode all day long and at nlsnt
set up their tents near spring VI
water and stayed until morning anu
travelled on. In few days they came "
an Indian village. The chief was very
polite, but would make no promises ~
help the English instead Of the french
should war break out between England
and France.
The chief went with Washington 70
deliver the message. After the French
commander wrote in reply to the mes
sage washington took the letter ana
prepared to return to the governor OF
Virginia 1t was In the depth Of winter
and the weather was very cold. But
they marched on without fear. Ihey
met many dangers beside cold anu
hunger. An Indian tried to shoot WASH
ington He was taken prisoner, ~.
Washington would not allow him 10 DC
punished. His gun was taken away
from him and he was allowed to re
turn to his cabin. They were in great
er danger than before. They knew tne
Indians would soon come back to at
tack them. All night long the weary
men rode on. But they said there was
no hurry for the others SO Washlngton
and a companion rode ahead. !nes
came to stream where they could no,
cross, SO they cut down trees ana So'
grape vines. Washington nearly GO,
drowned. He fell off the raft. The RAJ
was blown upon an island. There were
no trees to build fire and the raft n ~
been carried down the stream. SO .hes
were obliged to pass the night W1thou'
q fire.
In the morning it was joyful slsnt
The ice was from the island to the
Shore So they walked over the ice
They came to store where they were
supplied with their needs and tnes
bought a horse. And so in few days
they were back to Virginia and IN,
message was safely delivered In lios
he married Martha cambridge curtis
Washington was a planter living a
Mt Vernon. Va. when first ciccLee
president He was inaugurated IN lIos
and his term Of office aggregated sever
years, ten months and four days. II II
religion he was an Episcopalian. ~
died at Mt. Vernon Dec. IA, 1893 any
was buried at the same place. He wa
CT years old when he died.
Ruth Aurora Davis, age 9,
Mystic, Iowa, Box 337.