Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-01-22
Interesting Notes
In Frankln,s Life
Phil osoph.ers Scientist, Statesman,
Author and Patriot, Franklin's
Achievements Were Hailed Through
out the World.

Next to George Washington, Benja-
MN Franklin was the best known
American of the 18th century. He was
renowned wherever civilized men
gathered, in the circles of philosophy.
science and politics as one of the fore
most men of his time His personality
was SO delightful that everyone who
me. him was charmed. His versatility
seems to have known no bounds, but
/. was through his sound :tdgment,
common sense and clear thinking that
he was abb, to attain his striking sue
cess. So great and varied are his
achievements that only comprehen-
sive work could do justice to his many
accomplishments.
This great hero of the Revolution
airy War and warm friend of Washing
ton was born in Boston, on January
II, l706. The 225th anniversary Of
Franklins birth is the occasion for a
statement from the Division of Infor-
nation and Publication of the George
Washington Bicentennial Commission
which pays tribute to the memory Of
the great American and calls upon all
his countrymen to honor him The
service which Franklin rendered to his
country during the struggle for lib
erty is invaluable. The aid which he
obtained from France insured to the
United States the lasting benefits Of
the victories which Washington won
on the battlefield In fact, If Franklin
had not been able to persuade the
French to come to the assistance of the
colonies. perhaps Yorktown never
would have taken place.
When Young Benjamin was eight
years old his father sent him to a
grammar school and later to a some
| what technical institution in Boston
where he learned arithmetic This was
| the extent of the boys schooling, for
when he was ten his father set him
to making candles This was SO dis
| tasteful to the lad that the elder
| Franklin became apprehensive lest he
run away to sea To forestall anything
of this, sort Benjamin was apprenticed
| to his half brother. James who was ,
printer. Here his mind developed
rapidly At his brothers shop he came
in contact with the liberal element Ct
Boston and from his reading Of Locke
Bunvan. Plutarch, Defoe and Msther
he inbibed a broadening philosophy
THE New ENGLAND Courant,' published
BY james and Benjamin. was called
| the first sensational newspaper ir
/ America
But trouble was brewing. and, II
j ITo3 the II wear aid Peniarrin 0t1ar-
vell~d with his brother and went T.
philadelphia. Everyone is familiar
with the story of Franklins entrance
into that city which has been pic
/ tured in school books TO the great
amusement Of many young readers. A
he walked down the street eating from
loaf of bread carried under his arm
| he must have presented an appearance
far from SUGGESTIVE Of the famous mar
| he was destined to become.
Obtaining employment in the Quaker
| City. Franklin soon attracted the at
| tention Of William Keith. the governor
| of Pennsylvania, who persuaded hin
to 60 to London to study and to pur-
chase equipment for printing office
| Keith promised the boy letters of in
PRODUCTION and credit. but Whei
| Franklin arrived in London he foune
that the governor had not kent hi.
| word Almost penniless and withou
friends in that city, his condition was
acute, but he soon obtained employ
ment and made many friends. One O
these was wealthy Quaker merchan