The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1919-03-06

Mrs. V. X. Abraham on behalf of
the Relief Corps read an interesting
paper Of George Washington. Ex-
tracts of her paper follow
At Bridges Creek. Va, in a substan
tial home overlooking the Potomac,
George Washington was born February
q, 1882. He was the eldest Of six
children, The opportunities for educa-
ton in the new world at that time,
| especially on plantation, were very
| limited. He learned to read and write
| from one of his fathers tenants. He
was very fond Of military things and
organized many sham fights and
parades. This love Of war might have
come partly at least through the inhu-
ence of his half brother, Lawrence,
who had been in battles in the West
Indies.
When George was u his father died
suddenly. Fortunately large estate
was left them. At IA he was very
anxious to enter the navy, but was
persuaded by his mother to remain in
school. At Is he fell madly in love
with girl of the same age and it was
long before he could conquer his affec-
ton. This girl later became the
mother of Gen. Henry Lee, who was a
great favorite with Washington during
the Revolutionary war. Gen. Lee was
the father of Gen. Robert E. Lee, of
the confederate army in the Civil war
Washington had been studying sur
veying, and at l6 years of age the real
work of his life began. Lord Fairfax,
of Virginia, wanted his large estate
surveyed and he knew that Washington
had the courage to meet the Indians in
the forests and would do the work
we'll He took up the work and for
three years he lived this exposed life,
sleeping out of doors, gaining self
reliance and knowledge of the
Indians, which little later meant a
great deal to him. At l9 he was
placed in charge Of the military dis
tricts of Virginia and was made adiu-
tant general with the rank of major.
He at once began the study of military
tactics, taking lessons in field work
from his brother, Lawrence and sword
exercises from a soldier This drill
was broken in upon for time bv the
illness and death of his brother, Law.
renee, of whom he was very fond.
Mount Vernon then came to him by
will and made him person Of great
wealth, but riches did not spoil him
nor interfere with his work.
Matters became worse between the
English and French colonists and ir
the conflicts which followed he was ir
the thickest of the fight, one man be
ing killed at his side. At this time he
wrote to his brother and said, 81 heard
the bullets whistle. and believe there
is something charming in the sound.
In 1853 he was invited to dinner by Z
Major Chamberlayne. He accepted the
invitation and there met Martha Gus
tis.
The quiet life at Mount Vernon
which he loved, was soon changed
The stamp act and oppressive taxes
were stirring America. We all know
Of the many causes which led to the
Revolution and of the great part that
Washington played in that. can only
touch upon it. He worked against
heavy odds. His soldiers we're brave
but undisciplined The terms Of enlist
ment were short, thus preventing the
best work and it was nearly impossible
to get powder. But if he grew dis
couraged he never showed it, and ht
. never gave up. The history of The
Revolution is familiar to us all the
, winter at Valley Forge with all tht
sufferings and privations. the treason
, of Benedict Arnold and finally the grea
victory in the surrender of CORVALLIS
He then returned to Mount Vernon t
| enjoy the peace and rest which he 81
needed. At this time he adopted hi
t wife's grandchildren, Eleanor, tw,
t years old. and George W., six months.
l After the constitution was framet
= Washington was elected president AM
) served for two terms, declining thirt