The Hamilton journal. (Hamilton, Ga.) 1889-1920, May 31, 1889, Image 5

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hO¥ WASHINGTON LOOKED. i'- -__ ~T THE PORTRAITS THE FATHER OF 1’ HIS COUNTRY SAT FOR. Statuesque Pose and a Hitherto Un¬ published Description of His Ap¬ pearance—A Giant in Size. I General Washington sat many times for his portrait to different artists, says the New York Tribune. The most cele¬ brated portraits of him are those of Stuart, Trumbull and the Peales. The first portrait painted by Sir Charles Wilson Peale was executed in 1772. Washington was then a Colonel in the Virginia militia, and in the portrait he is represented as wearing a silver gorget engraved with the royal arms such as was then worn by officers of the British service as a badge of authority. A feature appearing in a later portrait by the same painter, after the Revolutionary War, is a blue sash or scarf, said to have been at the time the insignia of a Field Marshal of France. The Houdon head of Washington, which has received the approval of the Government by being printed upon post¬ age stamps, is the standard head. A cast made by Houdon himself from his life mask is now in New York in the posses¬ sion of the daughter of William Macdon¬ ald, the sculptor. It was preserved 1849 at Mount Vernon for sixty years. In the late Clark Mills brought it to this city to use in modeling the equestrian statue of Washington, for which he had received a commission from Congress. Mr. Mills sent a counterfeit back to Mount Vernon and kept the original life cast in his own possession until 1873, when he presented it to Mr. Macdonald, from whom it passed to his daughters. This head is exquisitely modeled, and is much finer and, it is said, more truthful than the head Houdon subsequently made for the statue he was employed to make for the Virginia State House. The Hou don head in New York is all in plaster except the tip of the cue, which having been broken off was replaced with wax. Houdon, who at the time was at the height of his fame as a sculptor, was chosen by Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, then in Paris, to execute the statue which the Legislature of had ordered. He came to America the purpose, and arrived at Mount in October, 1785. He was entertained by Washington, who great interest in all the details of sculptor’s work. It is said sought in vain for several days to Washington in a statuesque attitude, finally almost despaired. One day a came to sell Washington a horse, asked an exorbitant price for it. ington fired up indignantly,/and in anger assumed the attitude that wanted. The sculptor whipped out crayon and made a rapid sketch of ington as he denounced the horse jockey. Houdon not only secured a cast of ington’s head, but also took back him to France casts of different parts his body, and accurate from life. For his work he received thousand guineas and expenses. He cepted the order, it is stated, on promise of his distinguished patrons they would exert their influence to for him the commission for the statue which Congress had resolved have made, a project which -was not ried out until many years had elapsed. ■ It may be well for memory and for the standard of art America that the original plan of gress, agreed to August 7, 1783, to an equestrian statue of Washington made, was not executed. The resolution rected “that the statue be of bronze; General to be represented in a dress, holding a truncheon in his hand and his head encircled with a laurel wreath.” The statue was to be made in France, but an American sculptor Joseph Wright was employed to secure a life cast of the face. Wright was a man and trembled with awe when in great Washington’s presence. When had removed the mould from Wash¬ ington’s face, in his trepidation he let fall and it was broken. Washington not then permit a second trial, It supposed that Wright gathered the fragments of the broken and put them together. A head said to have been cast from this mask stood in one of the rooms of the Capitol and it is thought to have been destroyed in the burning of that building in 1814. There are other heads extant said to have been modeled on another life-cast made by Wright. These heads are distinguished by a peculiar twist of the mouth. This is explained by a statement made by Washington himself to a member of his family. When the mould was made the sculptor had Washington lie down upon his back at full length on a cot. Then he oiled his features and daubed them over with plaster. Mrs. Washington, who was not apprised of the proceeding, entered just as the sculptor had applied the plaster, and the sight was so unex¬ pected and startling that she gave an in¬ voluntary scream. Washington, appre¬ ciating the ludicrousness of the situation, could hardly control ihe muscles of his face,and his efforts to repress a smile have been recorded and perpetuated in marble and bronze. ! Washington, according to Houdon’s measurements, was six feet two inches in height. He was a giant in size and phys¬ ical strength. Looking over the exten¬ sive collection of old letters and memo¬ randa relating to Washington, in the possession of Doctor Joseph M. Toner, of this city, who is now engaged in editing Washington’s diaries, I found a copy of «D interesting account of Washington’s personal appearance, written by one who had seen him. It was a letter penned by David Ackerson, of Alexandria, Va., in 1811, in answer to an inquiry by hie son. Mr. Ackerson commanded a company in the Revolutionaay War. “ Washington was not,” he -wrote, “what ladies would call a pretty man, but in military costume, a heroic figure such as would impress the memory ever afterward.” The writer had a good view of Wash¬ ington three days before crossing the Delaware. “Washington,” he says, “had a large thick nose, and it was very red that day, giving me the impression that he was not so moderate in the use of liquors as he was supposed tc be. I found afterward that this was a peculiarity. His nose was apt to turn scarlet in a cold wind. He w r as standing near a small camp-fire, evi¬ dently lost in thought and making no ef¬ fort to keep warm. He seemed six feet and a half in height, was as erect as relax an Indian, and did not for a moment from a military attitude. Washington's exact height was six feet two inches in his boots. He was then a little lame from striking his knee against a tree. His eye was so gray that it looked almost white and he had a troubled look on his color¬ less face. He had a piece of wollen tied around his throat and was quite hoarse. Perhaps the throat trouble from which he finally died had its origin about then. Washington’s boots were 13. enor¬ His mous. They were No. ordinary walking shoes were No. 11. His hands weye large in proportion, and he could not buy a glove to fit him and had to have his gloves made to order. His mouth was his strong feature, the lips being always tightly compressed. That day they were compressed so tightly as to be painful to look at. At that time he weighed 200 pounds, and there was no surplus flesh about him. He was tre¬ mendously muscled, and the fame of his great strength was everywhere. His large tent when wrapped up with the poles was so heavy that it required two men to place it in the camp wagon. Washington would lift it with one hand and throw it in the wagon as easily as if it were a pair of saddle bags. He could hold a muskel with one hand and shoot with pre¬ cision as easily as other men did with a horse pistol. His lungs were his weak point and his voice was never strong. He w-as at that time in the prime of life. His hair was a chestnut brown, his cheeks were prominent, and his head was not large in contrast to every other part of his body, which seemed large and bony at all points. His finger-joints and wrists were so large as to be genuine curiosities. As to • his habits at that period I found out much that might be interesting. He was an enormous eater, but was content with bread and meat, if he had plenty of it. But hunger seemed to put him in a rage. It was his custom to take a drink of rum or -whisky on awakening in the morning. Of course all this was changed when he grew’ old. I saw him at Alexandria a year before he died. His hair was very gray and his form was slightly bent. His chest was very thin. He had false teeth which did not fit and pushed his under lip outward.” $ 1 A Colored Prodigy. Charleston, S. C., is the home of one of the most wonderful little algebraists of the age. He is a little boy who is only thirteen years of age, black as was ever made of pure African ore, and as uncouth in some respects as a young Caliban. It was said of him, by a gentleman who knows him well, that he is “remarkable for almost everything but his personal pulchritude.” He is absolutely at home with x, y and z in all their possibilities. He knows all about co-efficients and pow¬ ers and square roots, and he can’t be beat on the binomial theorem. The wonder of it is that his parents are very humble people, who wouldn’t know a square root if they fell over it on a country highway. This boy will soon arrive at a station where higher education for infants must be pushed up a notch two. naturally A great many of his fellow pupils are quite jealous of his reputation at his school. Physically he is something unique, as described by the News and Courier. His bead, like the earth, is flattened at the “poll.” Its development is largely made up of a protruding prom¬ ontory (a Cape of Good Hope) and a backward range of the brain behind the ears. He dresses in the most careless manner imaginable. Altogether, he is little, odd and a genius. He is a pupil in one of the colored public schools, and his teacher is quite proud of his prodigy in science and anomally in anatomy. A Model Industrial Town. The Westinghou.se Air Brake Company is about to build a Pennsylvania town on the model of Pullman near Chicago. The site is Wilmerding, on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, near Pittsburg. Six hundred acres have been purchased, on thirty of which the air-brake manu¬ factory is in course of erection. The balance of the land is to be divided into forty-two plats, containing 742 building lots, upon which dwellings will be erected for the 1200 workmen in the employ of the company. One million dollars will be expended on the §3,000,000 manufactory in building proper, and not less than and beautifying the miniature city. Natural gas will be used for light and fuel, and water will be suppled from the Monongahela River. Two hundred houses are already in course of erection.— Times Democrat. The custom of selling fruit by auction is growing in the larger cities. If atij r dealer says he has the W. I. Douglas without uame and price stampetl fraud. on bottom, put him down as a I ■J K & ! ! I i "w# V W. L. DOUGLAS $3 SHOE GENTLEMEN. FOR Best in the world. Examine his #5.00 GENUINE HAND-HEWED SHOE. L— #4.00 HAND-SEWED WELT SHOE. SHOE. #.{.50 POLICE AND FARMERS’ #3.50 EXTRA VALUE CALF SHOE. &■$ All made in Congress, Hutton and Lace. shoe, W. L. DOUGLAS S3 SHOE FOR LADIES. Best Material. Best Style. Best Pitting. * n 0 t W > . 1 Ii!? 3 DOUCHLAsi’ BROCKTON, MASS. For Sale By C. J. EDGE, Columbus fia. urify mm BLOOD. But do not use the dangerous alkaline and mercurial preparations which destroy your nerveus system and min the digestive pewer of the stomach. The vegetable king¬ dom gives us the best and safest remedial agents. Dr. Sherman devoted the greater part of his life to the discovery of this relia¬ ble and safe remedy, and ail its ingredients are vegetable. He gave it the name of Prickly Ash Biifars I a name every one can remember, and to the present day nothing has teen discovered that is so beneficial for KIDNEYS the BLOOD, and f° for r th the 0 LIVER, for the remedy is well STOMACH. This now so and favorably known by all who have used it that arguments as to its merits are use¬ less, and if others who require a correct¬ ive to the system would but give it a trial the health of this country would be vastly improved. Remember the name—PRICKLY ASH BITTERS. Ask your druggist for it. PRICKLY ASH BITTERS C3., ST. LOUIS, MG Dobbins’ Electric Soap THE BEST FAMILY SOAP m THE WORLD. It is Siriclly Pure. Uniform in Quality. HE original formula has for which been we paid modified £50,000 twenty changed years in the ago slightest. never This la or N«aj> with identical In quality to-day that made twenty years ago. TT contains nothing that call in. * jnrethe finest fabric. It bright¬ ens colors and bleaches whites. TT washes flannels and blankets as no other soap A in the world does—without shrinking—Raving them soft and white and like new. READ THIS TWICE 1 WHERE J is a jpreat KAVinj? cf time, of labor, of soap, of fuc!, and of the fabric, where Hob bins’ Electric Soap is used according to tlircc tions. \ E trial will demonstrate its great merit. It ' ■r will pay you to make that trial. iH Y IRE all host T.SiinSES, it is extensively irni tated and counterfeited. Psware cf Imitations. YNSIST upon Electric. Don't t?»ke A Magnetic, Electro Magic, Philadelphia Electric, or r.n y other fraud, simply because it is cheap. Ask They will ruin clothes, and are dear at any price. for --- o.<s- aoBSBEffg’ EEiECTK5€ and take no oilier. Nearly every grocer ft o?n Mains to Mexico keeps it in stock. If yours hasn't u, he will or !er from his nearest wholesale grocer. yjEAD carefully the inside wrapper around each Ja each bar, and be careful to You follnw nCS'ito on outside wrapper. casmot wait longer before trying for yourself this olu, reliable, a nd truly wonderful Dobbins’* Electric* Bom. Ti Sum Ci Manufacturers of !'imS§1||SP • ■ ft 1 pBwi mj v i ----l-c. C4S1 ■ t m SS STEELING PIANOS, WHICH FOE Quality of Tone, Beauty of Design, FINISHandadaptabilityforstand- ing in Tune have equal. j no Every Piano Warranted for Five Years And satisfaction guaranteed to every purchaser. Also Manufacture the Woeld-Renowked STERLIN G ORGAN Factories, Derby, Conn. 1 HEW HOUSE! HEW GOODS! NEW PRICES. M. L,. PARKER 9 HILTON GEORGIA, -IlEAr.UR IX - General Merchandise, Dry - Goods, Groceries, Boots, Shoes, Clothing:, &c. Has just opened at the Hudson <0 Johnston corner a stock of fresh goods which low prices and courteous treatment must sell. Cash paid for Country Produce—Chickens, Butter, Eggs, &c. C. SGHOMBURG > WATCHMAKER AND JEWELER KM DEALER IN DIAMONDS, FINE JEWELRY 1 WATCHES, CLOCKS a ad SILVERWARE, Repairing Watches, Clocks and Jewelry a Specialty. No. 1115 Broad St, Columbus, Ga. HARRISON’S SHOE STOKE, il32 BROAD ST., COLUMBU S, GA Everybody is invited to call and look at our stock o£ BOOTS AN® SHOES. REGULAR “ALLIANCE” PRICES ON EVERYTHING. Hamilton Buggy Company ■N HAMILTON, OHIO, Manufacturers of Hamilton Grades of Vehicles. BUGGEES. EDITORIAL SPECIAL BUGGY OF ANY STYLE VEHICLE. SPECIAL FEATURES: Proportion, Durability, Perfection of Finish. This “ Mirror " finish work is the best medium-priced work in the United States. WRITE FOR CATALOGUE. HAMILTON BUGGY CO, “Talbott” Engines;’ BUY FROM MANUFACTUERS DIRECT AND SAVE MIDDLE MAN’S PROFIT. Engines, Boilers, Saw Mills, Corn Mills, and General Machinery Eagle” Cotton Gins, “Boss” Cotton Press, Cotton Seed Elevaters, Etc Ft, Write us for CircularsNaming Your Wants. FACTORY I TALBOTT & SONS. MACON GA RICHMOND, VA. J C Weaver, Manager PRICES YOU SHOULD HOT RESIST CHANCELLOR* & PEJARCE COLUMBUS, GA. Continue to sell every thing in their store at close prices preparatory to moving in their new quarters. The stock must be reduced at once. Clothing, Hats, Furnishing, and Evervtning. Call or mail your orders direct to them. CHANCELLOR & PEARCE COLUMBUS, GA. 4^-ment F\ur Merchant and Tailoring depart GT is full of the latest and most at¬ tractive Suitings in the south. I A 7 j / v '*t' v°rT r I CARRIAGES. K? 50‘ years EXpex-icene Established 1839