Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 233, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1916 — FAMOUS BOSTON LIGHT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FAMOUS BOSTON LIGHT

The Boston light was the first built In America and is the most important lighthouse in the North Atlantic. The first light was “kindled” September 14, 1716, by George Worthylake, who with his wife and daughter was drowned shortly after the light was put into operation. In 1720 the first lighthouse was burned and rebuilt, and again in 1750 It was burned and rebuilt. The lighthouse was destroyed by the British toward the close of the Revolutionary war. In 1780 the present lighthouse was built and a few years luter It came under the jurisdiction of the federal government. The two hundreth anniversary of the founding of the light was recently observed.

“Why?" asked General Pershing. “The floods have made It ltupn*»übie, sir- returned the youag-jafficer^ “We’ll see," said General Pershing. Four hours later the cavalry escort pud the guard that accompanied the Pershing party were hauling the machines out of the mire with the aid of a long tow-line. For a mile the staff, led by the general, plodded through mud and water. Six miles from 1-418 Galeras horses had been ordered from camp. General Pershing and his party mounted. At. a swift pace they rode through a Jungle of mesqulte. As they rode the sound of rushing waters became more distinct. Finally, through the trees, one caught a glimpse of muddy water, roaring Its charges as it sucked at the highest point Of Its banks and carrying with it the debris swept from the land. A few minutes later General Pershing, followed by his party, rode out on a rise over the turbulent river. Pershing, on the brink, did not hesitate. His spurred boot swung against his mount’s side. The frightened horse, sensing the danger of the angry waters, had splashed above its withers. It struggled for a footing and found It. Then, one by one, the entire staff sent their horses leaping into the turbid flood. Every step of the way was a fight. But on the other side of the river, General Pershing and bis staff emerged, somewhat mmldy, entirely damp and quite ready for the inspection. ♦ Demands Shorter Way. The Santa Maria was forded again that afternoon. General Pershing decided to try a short cut back to the waiting automobiles. He called the scout. “Take us by a shorter route,” he ordered. “There’s a shorter trull,” said the guide. “But it’s the worst kind of traveling. There’s a lot of swamps, and it’s dangerous footing for a horse." “If it’s shorter, show it to us.” The guide led on. His wiry Mexican pony twisted and squirmed to find its way. General Pershing’s mount was only a length behind him. At a forced pace, the ride back to the ears went on." Tlie staff and the cort serpentined behind through a maze of mesqulte, through morass after morass, and pounded across al-kali-dusted flats. The night cump was made at a tiny spring. The next day the march to El Valle was resumed. Once more the bank of the Santa Maria was reached. As the party rode up, its members could see the wreck of the engineers’ bridge. A captain of engineers, ably assisted by a sergeant whose all too fluent English was garnished with a few simpler Spanish oaths, was leading a gang of Mexicans waist-deep In the w ater at the work of repairing. Again mounts were waiting and again the general led his party across the flood. Some days before the field telegraph had informed the camp commander to have his troops ready for review on Tuesday morning at nine o’clock. And on Tuesday morning at nine o'clock to the minute, General Pershing and his staff rode on the field near El Valle, where infantry, artillery and cavalry waited in a splendid assemblage.