davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

der in chief of the American army. The
Identification of the penmanship of the
commission with that of the entry in
the journal and of both with an auto
graph letter of Matlack's that is among
the papers of the Continental congress
is certain.
Probably there was not at that time
man in the country who was Mat
lacks equal as penman. Later Thorn
son had two clerks In his office, George
Bond and Thomas Edison, each of
whom wrote good engrossing hand;
so did General WashingtOn's secretary,
Richard Varick. Alexander Hamilton
wrote finer hand than any of them,
but neither he nor any of the others
could equal the beauty of Matlack's
capital letters and the clearness and
symmetry of his writing as a whole.
Matlack Copied the Declaration.
Fortunately, Matlack was still
clerk in Thomson's Office when the
Declaration of Independence was or
dered to be engrOSsed for final sigma
ture, and the task of copying it was as
signed to him. He copied from the
brOadside, "In Congress, July 4, 1776,"
which is reproduced in the written
Declaration in the same form of let
tering.
1t is not easy to identify the penman-
ship of document like the Declare
ton, for the writer has written very
plainly and in characters of twice the
normal size, but some individual pc
culiarities appear In this as in all
writing. A few years ago some of the
officials in the library of congress who
knew that Matack was the best pen
man employed by Thomson made a
comparison of General WaShingtonS
commission, which was known to have
been written by him, with the Declara-
ton.
The first peculiar letter in the COM
mission is the capital IN" in New
Hampshire, and we find its counterpart
in "Nature'S'' in the second line of the
body of the Declaration. The graceful
flourish at the top of ST" in the word
ITO" in the commission is repeated in
the second of the sentences beginning
"That" III the Declaration. In the word
"Offer" in the commission there is a
marked popularity in the double IF :"
| the first "f'' is made like the Old-fash-
! Toned long IS" 1t appears in the word
''effect" in the Declaration, then in
Suffer" and "sufferable" That is the
most noteworthy popularity in Mat
lacks writing. The capital 80" in the
commission and in the last line of the
Declaration; the capital "B" in the
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

ceeded under escort of the Nashua
guards commanded by Capt. Daniel M.
Fisk, to the Oval, where the standard
was presented by Miss Ann G. Smith,
assisted by Misses Belinda Gibson and
Sarah Knowlton, her aids. 1t was ac-
cepted by Ensign Sheldon.
Procession then moved to Rev. Mr..
Motifs church. Order of exercises:
l. Select music, by the choir; 2,
prayer by Rev. Mr.. Pratt; 3, hymn,
MY Country, TITS of Thee" ETC., read
by Rev. Mr.. Emmons; 4, Declaration of
Independence, by B. f. French, Esq.
., GRAFTON, by Jonathan Lewis Clark
6, prayer, by Rev. Mr.. MCGEE; Z, music,
by the choir; 8, benediction, by Rev.
Mr.. Mott.
The procession was again, formed
and proceeded to the Washington
house, where splendid dinner was
provided.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

more fitting for the nations birthday?
We should be nation of athletes !;
there is no day better than July for
arousing the latent strength of man
hood or exhibiting what is already de-
veloped. Surely the parks should ring
with the best music our bands can
produce. Men gifted with power to
sway the multitudes should this day
tell what the nation stands for and
pay tribute to those who are
Slow to smite and swift to spare,
Gentle and merciful and just
Who, in the fear of God, do bear
The sword of power, a nations trust.
Today we are in need of a patri-
otism as great as that of '76. The Oc-
casOn Is different and the problem re-
Quires greater wisdom in its solution.
1t is a satisfaction to remember that
the national sword has never been
lifted in conquest. The glory of the
starry flag is that she is an emblem of
freedom of conscience, religion and
civil liberty. Except In the cause of
humanity she has never been in battle
Not all that has been done under her
is worthy of praise but 1t is safe to
say that few nations have a more un-
selfish record.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29
Citizenship Imposes Duty.

Citizens of free nation owe duty,
not only to their country and them
selves, but to the whole world-to hui
mainly. There is hardly a moment in
the life of any man when some sacri-
flee for liberty and free government Is
not called for. This is as true in peace
as in war. The lesson is being inn.
pressed on the national conscience to-
day as it has not been before for many
years. -
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29
Signatures Almost Invisible.

That was a great injury; but equal
harm came to the document by keeping
it on exhibition In strong light. 1t
was in the state department until 1871,
when it was placed In the patent office,
where it remained until the Centennial
exhibition of 1876, when it was taken
to Philadelphia. There it remained for
nearly year; then 1t was returned to
Washington and went back to the Sec
rotary of states office.
Already the ink had begun to fade,
but the document was again put on ex-
hibltion. The ink faded rapidly and by
1894 many Of the signatures had be-
come almost invisible. Then there was
formal conference of scientific men,
who considered what was the best
course to take to protect it.
Wise counselors advised that it
should not be experimental WITH and
1t was left untouched. II was taken
from its place of exhibition, however,
and put into a dark safe, secure from
further damage from the light. Dur
ing the last 20 years very few persons
have been permitted to look upon its
face and the handsome handiwork of
Timothy Matlack remains hidden from
the world.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29
Proper Celebration
of Anniversary of
the Nations Birth

When, in the course Of human events, ii
becomes necessary for one people to dis
solve the political bands which have con-
nected them with another and to assume
among the Powers of the earth the sep
arate and equal station to which the laws
of nature and of natures God entitle
them, decent respect to the opinions of
mankind requires that they should declare
the causes which impel them to the sepa-
ration
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29
.HUS wrote Thomas Jefferson for

the Continental congress In the
famous Declaration of Independ-
ence. II was signed at Independence
hall, Philadelphia, July 4, 1776 With
the pealing of old Liberty bell that
summer day the birth of a new nation
was announced. Like her sturdy sons,
that nation was conceived in hardship.
Her heritage of devotion to principle
was the nOblest gift brought by the
Mayhower. Innate courage grew fear
less in the face of constant danger,
and her sons grew skillful by constant
toll. They craved not courtier favors
but demanded the right to develop
along the lines of a new democracy the
nation then born. Contact with the
wilderness had taught them that
IT'S as easy to be heroes as to sit the Idle
slaves
OF legendary virtue carved upon our faith
ers graves.
For them to be convinced was as
though the thing had been decreed of
God. They were convinced and they
proclaimed their birthrght by declar-
ing their independence and then fight
ing for it against one of the prOudeSt,
strongest nations of the earth.
Nation Wholly Worthy
1t was inevitable that such begin
ming should produce a nation Of stall
warts. What they lacked in knightli-
ness they made up in manliness. De-
vOtiOn to principle left no room for
compromise with policy. The result was
people chosen by fitness for great
place in the economy of the worlds
progress.
Al this season we celebrate the an
niversary of the nations birth. The
40 anniversaries since then have not
all been TO our credit. We have turned
from the serious to the frivolous, the
national birthday has become carni-
val. In the name of patriotism all
kinds Of follies have been permitted
Instead of real honor to the nation the
day has been made an occasion for
gain. People have made for themselves
hardship in vain attempt to have
more noise than their neighbOrs make
Fitting Celebrations.
But we rejoice in the change to be
noticed in the way of observing the
nations birthday. People are begin
ming to see that noise is not patriotic
and that the youth of the present need
a better ideal of Independence day.
In most Of the large cities men of
prominence and foresight are arrang-
iDs for public games. What could be
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29
Caesar Rodney's Ride
By Richard ]. Beamish

OF
o
New York
romth
to
detection federation
ndenceIa
Delawaes
a o he
al to
a
the
OF lis
for
ty-sxh
M o Of
ONE tar m mi
up your sums ne tel m a hear
The ganop of Caesar with gnear
Heat like a N
7 tharied tn flesh ndsnirt of him hoWaitedf
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

by five years. The clerk was Timothy
Matlack, who died at Holmesburg, Pa,
in 1929, when he was ninety-nine years
of age.
Timothy Matlack, writes Gaillard
Hunt, chief of manuscript division Ii
brary, in the Youths Companion, was
a Quaker by birth. but he was an open
advocate of fighting, and in 1776 was
elected captain of a militia band in
Philadelphia, known as the Shirt bat
TALON" SO the Quakers, who were OPP
posed to war, expelled him, and in
1871 he and some others formed the
sect known as Free QuakerS." Be
sides being in the Continental congress
he held Il number of important offices
under the government of Pennsylvania
and Philadelphia. His last service
was as alderman of Philadelphia from
1918 to 1918.
Was Great Penman.
To carry out the order of the con-
gress that the Declaration be pro-
claimed, Thomson needed more than a
score of copies, for he had to send it
army. SO to save time he did not at
tempt to have any copies written Off
with the pen, but sent the original
drafts, which the congress had passed,
to the official printer, John Dunlap.
The following morning the printed
copies were in Thomson's hands.
1t was from one of those copies that
Philadelphia first heard the Declara-
ton read, and 1t was one of them that
became the official copy, for Thomson
had not copied the Declaration even
into the journal Of the congress be-
fore he gave it to the printer; but
when he wrote the journal for July 4
he left blank space for the Declara-
ton, and the next day, with two waters
of red wax, he fastened in the printed
broadside. At the time it had been
signed only by John Hancock, as presi-
dent of congress, and cOuntersigned by
Charles Thomson as secretary.
Wrote Washington's Commission.
have said sometimes an entry was
made in the journal of the congress by
another hand than Thomson's, writes
Mr.. Hunt The first of those occa.
siOns was on June II, 1775, when Tim
othy Matlack recorded resolution to
set aside day for fasting and prayer
to avert the desolating calamities that
seemed to be impending. Matack had
been appointed clerk in Thomson's
office on May Is, and five days later, on
May 20, he wrote out the most import
ant document that the congress had
issued up to that time-the commission
to George Washington to be comman-
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29
Good Evidence That Clerk Actu-
ally Wrote" Declaration
of independence.
FAMOUS FOR SKILLFUL WORK
Timothy Matlack, Employed in the
Office of Charles Thomson, Sec
rotary in the First Congress, Is
Accorded Honor by Expert
Who Has Investigated.

HO wrote the Declaration
NN/ of Independence? Thomas
" Jefferson, of course, every
one knows that. But who
held the pen and formed the letters on
the great piece of parchment that the
members of the Continental congress
signed? 1t is one of the largest official
papers in eXistence-One skin of parch-
ment nearly three feet long and more
than two fee: vide. The writing is
nearly twice the normal size and is I'M
usually handsome and clear.
The secretary who was ordered to
prOmulgate the work was Charles
Thomson, a man of high character who
had been the principal of school at
New Castle, Dell and an active patriot
The first congress chose him as seCre-
tary in LIZA, and he held the office I'M
till the Continental congress passed
out of existence in March, 1889. There
were 10 presidents of the Continental
congress, but there was only one sec
rotary. He made the entries in the
journal in 1774, and he wrote the last
entry.
Died at Age of Ninety-Five.
During all those 10 years it was only
on rare occasions that any other hand
than his wrote in the journal. When
the Continental congress passed out of
! existence he retired to private life and
never held office again; but he did not
die until 1924, when he was almost
ninety-tive years old. One of the clerks
in his office in 1875 and 1776, and after
ward, in 1880, a member of the con-
gress from Pennsylvania, survived him
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

1t was gray IN the East Wnen lie ldIIleu
A woman screamed loud at the vision,
but Rodney was riding again.
Though, beneath him, the back of his
horse was a rack to torture the
bravest of men.
Great WEAKNESS came upon Rodney. He
galloped as one in dream;
But lightning-li like pains broke his frances
as rocks break a mountain stream.
Somewhere, in the misty morning, his
COmrade faltered and fell.
Thence rode at his side, with a long silent
stride, a Shape that Rodney knew
well
The tropical heat-haze closed round him.
the Yelled and the wrath at his side,
At inns and by-lanes he changed horses,
then, on with the furious ride.
Weakness at last made him falter. He
fed and then slumbered awhile.
But the will was so strong that the rest
was not long, for the goal still lay
many a mile.
And then he came into the city, the half
Tory town of Penn.
Down Passyunk Road he galloped, past
His veil streamed. a pennon of Freedom,
But the horse he bestrode knew the turns
c. 10 ba Ctato IIorSa mo pO1po,, ,,,an.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29
Fourth Of July Flag.

The
union of lakes, the union
of lands, the union Of
states none can sever;
the union Of hearts, the
union of hands and the
Flag Of our Union
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

Bllnks-I beg your pardon2
Jinks-Why, when Jackson criticized
so harshly the speech that Maxson
made you knocked him down.
Blinks-Yes; l wrote that speech
myself.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

His fevered eyes watched the candle that
blinked like far-off star.
They looked from face upon which all
the grace was hid by a cruel scar.
Out OF the heat and blackness clamors
a-trooping came,
Barking of dogs and thunder of knocks
on a doors stout frame.
Sternly a nurse Kissed, "Sience" and
then came a strangers CALL
Mexican bids you ride. 1 will be at your
side. Come quickly or freedom will
fall"
He'll die on the way" shrllled a serv-
ant, but Rodney was out of his bed.
Boots, horses and spurs" he command
ed land the yelling to cover my
head"
"Horses are posted to meet you," the
voice in the doorway said.
1T is well. l am ready" The weak voice
was steady. 81 will vote or you'u
bear me. there dead"
It's seventy miles to the State House in
the city OF William Penn.
freedom of men.
/ others too tmid to dare,
decide the ballot of Delaware.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

commission and in the word British"
in the Declarations; the whole word
Congress" in both Recommendations
and other details established beyond
Il doubt that the writer of the great
Declaration was Timothy Matlack.
Although Timothy Matlack lived
long time, he did not live long enough
to see the harm that befell the docu-
ment he had written so handsomely.
He and his contemporaries were proud
of it, and their descendants have held
it in reverence above all other docu-
mentS; and to satisfy the patriotic Gu
riosity of the people who have wished
to see it those who were it's custodians
in past years subjected it to treatment
that did 1t irreparable injury.
In 1924, when John Quincy Adams
was secretary OF state, a skilled en-
graver, William J. Stone, made cop
per plate facsimile of the Declaration.
That is the only one that has ever been
made. 1t was distributed by order of
congress and is familiar to US all. 1t is
perfect reproduction in every partic-
ular of the original document as it was
when the facsimile was made, and Is
fine specimen Of the engraver's art. I'm
fortunately ut the time he made it pho
Biography had not been discovered, and
Stone took an impression Of the docu-
ment itself, and in doing so carried off
some of tho ink
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

Steadled him in the chamber, and gloried
to hear him declare:
For the right to be free, and to end ty-
ranny, we vote aye, for our Della
ware"
You know the rest of the story. you
teachers who teach by rote,
How prudent South Carolina announced
the change of its vote;
How Pennsylvania also veered round in
Freedoms gale;
How the Thirteen broke from their necks
the yoke. and a nation came through
travail.
Paint us a noble portrait: Story or Sar-
gent or Chase.
One Of the missing Signer. Show us an
eager face.
Glorifed through its yelling, and we will
uplift 1t where
He ended his ride with Death by his side.
brave Rodney of Delaware.
81 =
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29


the Of a
iend can.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

and Others tmid dare
decide the ballot Delaware
The Lovington leader., 1917-03-30
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
John II. Wise 027589
Department Of the Interior Y. s.
Land office at Roswell. N. NJ. Mch.
u, 1917.
Notice is hereby given that John
II. Wise Of Lovington. n. N. who on
Aug. 4. 1913 made Hd.. Z. Serial M.
O275R9 for NJ See. 33 Twp. l5.S
X. BE. N. N. ?. N. has filed no.
tica OF intention to make final three
year proof 10 establish claim to the
land above described before Asa B.
Morton u. s. Commission ir bis Of.
fice at I.ovington. n. n. April 80.
1917.
Claimant names a. witnesses:
Oliver A. Crane, John G. Caldwell,
John Mofiatt. John W. Leazier, all
Of Lov,ngton, n. n.
Emmett P1ttIn Register.
Mch. 80. April q.
The Lovington leader., 1917-03-30

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
Marion J. FORESTER 026l70
, Department of the Interior L. s.
.Lani office at Roswell N. NJ. Mch.
). 1917.
Notice is hereby given that Marion
J. Forester of Lovincton. y. N who
on June 81. 1912 male Nd. r, S-ri.
al No. o26l70 tor SW., Sec. T Twp.
los Il. 36-E; and the SEt. Sec, u
Twp. l6-S K. 3s-E. n. n. P. N. has
fllei notice of intention to make final
three GEAR proof, to establish claim
t" the land above describad before
Asa b. Morton U. S. Commissioner
in his Office at LovingtOn. N. ii. Apr.
II. 1917.
Claimant names az witnesses;
William S. Beck. Ecwin Van Giesor,
Charles E. Stiles. Foster h. Lee, all
, Of L"ving,on. n. NJ.
Emmett Patton Register.
Mich Is, April l3.
The Lovington leader., 1917-03-30
NOTICE For PUBLICATION

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
Jesse & Crowley O277ll
Department Of the Interior L. s.
Land ,fice at Roswell. y. 81. Mch.
s, 1917.
Notice is hereby given that Jesse
& Crowley Of Loving,on, N NJ. who
on Aug. 20. 1913 made HID. f. Serial
No. 0277lI for Ea Sec. Ii Twp. IL.
5 K. 36.E. N. NJ. p. NJ. has fled no.
tice of intention to make final thre,
proof. to establish claim to the land
above described before Asa R. Nor.
ton u. s. Commissioner in his oifm.
at Lovington, \. VI. April 10. 1917,
Claimant names AS witness es.
William B. Hamilton, Ernest R. Pow.
er. Bnrl Groves. Ferd ". Howard 81
OF Loviagton. n. NJ.
Enmet, Patton Register,
Mch. l6 April l3.
The Lovington leader., 1917-03-30
NOTICE Fol: PUBLICATION


Department Of The Interior. L. s.
Land Office at Roswell. n. N. Mch.
IL, l6i1
Nosice IS hereby gwen that Rob
ert l.. Spear, Of Midway. N. u. who,
on Sept. .. l9Ia. made Nd. E. Serial
No. 02634l. for W. SW4. See. Il;
Et SCI; "a NEs, Sec. IS, and WI
SWa, Sec. .. Twp. l4-S. Rye. 38E
N.M.P.m. has filed notice Of intention
to make final three year Proof, tC
establish claim to the land above de.
scribed. before \. l.. Hibbets, L. 5
Commissioner. in his oiiice at Plain
view, N. N. on April Is. 1917.
Claimant names as witnesses:
Jasper u. Moreman, William NJ. An
derson. Clement bennington. Jane,
r. Baker. all Of Hidwa7. N. N.
, Emmett Patton.
Mch. 10 Apl. ~. Register
The Lovington leader., 1917-03-30

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
Wamon J. Green O27866
Department OF The Interior, 4. s.
Land Office at Roswell. N. NJ. Mch.
l6. 1917.
Notice ia hereby given that Wamon
Green, Of Staubro. N. NJ. who on Oct.
!. 1913. made Hd f. Serial, No.
O21o66. for EA. Sec. %, Twp. 15S,
Rge. BE. N.M.PM. has filed motto.
Of intention to make final three yea,
Proof. to establish claim to tho land
above described, before Asa B. Nor.
ton. U. S. Commissioner. in bis Office
st Lovington. N. M. on April %. 1917
Claimant names az witnesses:
Albert P. Smith. Clyds H. Sartor
Jossrb T. Wycbs. F. Marion Burnett
al Of Stanbro. N. H..
Emmett Patton,
xch. p .Apl. 20 R.g;ste,
The Lovington leader., 1917-03-30
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
William N. Bensop O263li
Department Of The Interior, I. s.
Land Office. at Roswell, N. II. Mct.
l6, 1917.
Notice is hereby given tast VII.
liam N. Benson. Of Stanbrp, N. NJ.
who. on Aug. u. 1912. made Hid. E.
Serial, No. O263ll, for Es. Sec. 81.
Twp. las. Rye. 3S-E. N.M.P.M., has
filed notice Of intention 10 make final
three year Proof. to establish claim
to tho Land abov, described. before
N. L. Hiobets, US Commissioner. IN
his Office ct Plainview, N. N. on
!! April 70. 1912.
Claimant names as witnesses:
Wiley ". Dorar. John E Moreman.
these Of Midway. N n. Ssmusl R.
Peak William H. Fort. these, Of
Stsnl 70. N. n.
Emmett Patton,
Ach. 23...Apl. 20. Register.
The Lovington leader., 1917-03-30

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
Nav Stiles, O3ll43
Department Of The Interior, L. S.
Land Office 1T Roswell, N. N. Mcb
!6. 1917.
Notes ia hereby given that Nav
Stiles Of Lovington. N. ". who. on
June Ia. 1915. made Hid. E. Serial,
No. 03il43 Nj. Sec. 20. Twp. las
Rge. 34.E. N.M.P.M. has tiled notic,
OF intention 70 make final three yea,
Proo:. to establish claim to the Ian,
shove described. before Asa R. Nor
ton. L. ). Commissioner, in his Office
at Lovingtcn. y. N. on April 23
El9l,.
| Claimant names az witne sses:
Boon Hardin. K"owles. N. q. PER-,
Andrus. William L. Abe,, Lee New
man. these Of Lovington. N. N.
Emmett Patton.
Mch. 2""..Aui. 20. Register
The Lovington leader., 1917-03-30
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

Otis Cole O2SS72
Department Of the Interior Y s.
Land office at Roswell, N. n. Mch.
q. 1917.
Notice is hereby given that Otis
Cole Of Mid way. n. NJ. who on July
~. 1914 made lid. J.. SERIAL No.
02S872 for SEA See Is fwp. los
R. 38,E. n. NJ. +. II. has filed notice
Of intention to make final three
year proof. to establish claim to the
land above described before N L.
Hibbe,s U 5. Commissioner in bis Of.
fce at PIainview. N. NJ. Nav |. 1917,
Claimant names as witnesses;
Frank j. Mearss. John Z. Ely, vii.
liam R. Baker. these of Midway. N.
NJ. Pinckney D. Cox. of Staubro. N.
IN.
Emms,n Patton Register.
Mch. 30. April q.
The Lovington leader., 1917-03-30

Mr.. Autry formerly OF Mcdonald
N. N, but late Of Snyder. Texas.
was in our little city prospecting
this week.
Mr. A. r. Clardy took his moth
er-in-law to l.amesa where she
took the train for her home in
Texas the first par, Of the week.
Tom Jackson reports the com.
plstion OF the moving Of the ice
plant to the Electric light plant
building and the moving of .
room from Miss Sadie Kinder.
residense to another portion OF
block wnere more will be added
10 it for a rent house.
The Commercial Club Of GOV.
inSton is growing more and more
enthusiastic a. to the best interests
OF our new county. county sea,
and people in general and that
with a pull.,o together spirit. is the
main spring to success.
/ Mr.. and Mrs. Amos Reeves ol
Monument. N. NJ. were in Low.
inston Wednesday.