The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-02-22

flag from the Citadel at Sun rise and federal
salute from the Park at u oclock-An
Fatigues are to cease-The troops VIII draw
an Extra Gill Of Whiskey, and The officers OF
Duty are Requested TO Dine at Head Quar-
ters"
No doubt the soldiers, enjoying both the fact
that "An Fatigues are to cease" and that they
would "draw an Extra Gill of Whiskey." were
quite willing to wish their commander in chief
many happy returns Of the day"l
Soon after the Revolution closed and even be-
fore Washington became President, his Virginia
friends instituted celebration of his birthday
which lasted for many years This was the
"Birthnight Ball." first held in Alexandria and
attended by the hero Of the Revolution whose
diary betrays his great fondness for "routs" and
who never failed TO attend one of these func-
tons until almost the end of his days
Washingtons last birthday. in 1873, was marked
by the marriage of his beloved adopted daughter,
Nellie Gusts, who requested him to wear the
splendid uniform of General of the Armies
of the United States, an Office that had been
created for him the previous year. Instead. the
general presented her with the magnificent white
plumes from the uniform and appeared at the
wedding clad in the uniform in which he had
won his greatest fame-the old Continental buff
and blue. Beneath his arm was a faded cooked
hat with a simple ribbon eockade, reminder Of
fight for the liberties Of his country. Just as
simple and unassuming as this gesture was his
comment in his diary for this his last birthday.
He merely wrote: 1.-The Revd Mr. Davis and Mr.
Geo Calvert came to dinner and Miss Gusts was
married adj Candle light to Mr. Lawrence Lewis"
Credit for the nationwide observance Of
washingtons birthday as day of commemora-
ton after his death is due more, perhaps, TO
Boston woman than to any other individual She
was Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis who also had
part in preserving historic Mount Vernon a
national shrine.
Born in Boston in 1896 Eliza Henderson Bord-
man, even before her marriage into the famous
family Of Otises had wealth and social position.
widow at thirty with five children, she took
them abroad TO educate them Returning after
nine years in Europe with her patriotism and
pride OF country stronger than ever. she decided
to commemorate Washington's birthday by pub
lie reception in her mansion at Al Mount Vernon
street in the Massachusetts capital In those
days the gulf between the socialy-elect and the
common people" was wider than il Is today and,
although her society friends had regarded her
as daring" and eccentric" before this, they
were much scandalized at the idea of her throw
ing open her home to aIl-comers, even for such
q purpose as honoring the Father OF His Country.
But she did ii and she treated the common folk
who came with the same gracious courtesy &C
corded to her society friends. most Of whom
came more out of curiosity than through any
approval Of her idea. But the first reception,
held on February %, 1872 was such success
and won so much commentator from all who
attended that she continued them each year from
that time on to her death In 1876.
In the meantime, largely due to her influence
governors Of the commonwealth began holding
Informal receptions on Washingtons birthday.
although these semi-oficial functions occupied
second place TO Mrs Otis reception, In the esti-
nation OF the citizens OF Boston II was her
influence also that resulted in February - be
coming q legal holiday in Massachusetts, Other
states followed its lead until the anniversary
u thus observed In every state In the Union
eby Western Newspaper uzsoa-