and re-enforcements for Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor, was fired upon by Confederate batteries at Charleston, and obliged to turn back to New York, year 1861. This was actually the first military firing of the Civil War.

Jan. 10 (1737)-Ethan Allen born at Litchfield, Conn., year 1737; died at Burlington, Vt., in 1789. He originated the usage of the word "continental" in American history. (See "Opening of the First Continental Congress," Sept. 5, 1774.)

Jan. 10 (1870)-The Standard Oil Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, at Cleveland, year 1870. The incorporators were John D. Rockefeller, Henry M. Flagler, Samuel Andrews and Stephen V. Harkness (all of Cleveland), and William Rockefeller of New York (a brother of John D. Rockefeller). The capital stock was named as $1,000,000. John D. Rockefeller was elected president. He was the creative force and ruling power in all the immense development during the first thirty years of the company's existence.

Jan. 10 (1888)-Harvey process for manufacturing steel armor plate patented, year 1888.

Jan. 11 (1757)-Alexander Hamilton, statesman and soldier, born in the island of Nevis, West Indies, year 1757; died at New York, July 12, 1804. One of the most brilliant statesmen of the Western Continent. He settled in New York in 1772 and immediately began his public career as a writer of pamphlets dealing with the great political issues which culminated in the Revolution. He was commissioned a captain in the Continental army in 1776 and immediately attracted the attention of Washington, who appointed him a member of his staff in 1777. At this time began the rivalry with Aaron Burr which lasted until his death. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and was a dominating influence, chiefly through a series of essays which he wrote -later entitled "The Federalist," published in the news

paper The Independent Journal of New York, running from October 1787 to April 1788. Washington appointed him the first Secretary of the Treasury, and President Adams appointed him commander-in-chief of the army in 1799. His rivalry with Burr reached the climax when Burr challenged him to a duel. On July 11, 1804, the duel was fought at Weehawken, N. J., beside the Hudson River. Hamilton fell mortally wounded and died next day. His body was buried in Trinity Churchyard, New York, where many pause each day to contemplate the monument over his grave.

Jan. 11 (1864)—The 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States, was offered in the United States Senate by Senator Brooks of Missouri, year 1864.

Jan. 12 (1737)-John Hancock born at Quincy, Mass., year 1737; died at Quincy, Oct 8, 1793. He was president of the First Continental Congress.

Jan. 13 (1785)-Samuel Woodworth, poet, born at Scituate, Mass., year 1785; died Dec. 9, 1842. Author of "The Old Oaken Bucket."

ADOPTION OF THE FIRST WRITTEN CONSTITUTION KNOWN TO HISTORY

January 14, 1639

The first written constitution framed by a people for the government of themselves, in the history of the world, was adopted at Hartford, Conn., on Jan. 14, 1639. This first formal republic was made up of the people of the three earliest towns in the Connecticut River valley, Hartford, Windsor and Wethersfield. The preamble was as follows:

"Forasmuch as it hath pleased the Almighty God by the wise disposition of His divine providence so to Order and dispose of things that we the Inhabitants and residents of Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield are now cohabiting and dwelling in and upon the River of Connecticut

and the Lands thereunto adjoining: And well knowing where a people are gathered together the word of God requires that to mayntayne the peace and union of such people there should be an orderly and decent Government established, according to God, to order and dispose of the affayres of the people at all seasons as occation shall require; does therefore assotiate and conjoin ourselves to be as one Publike State of Commonwealth; and do, for our selves and our Successors and such as shall be adjoined to us att any tyme hereafter, enter into Combination and Confederation togather, to mayntayne and presearve the liberty and purity of the gospell of our Lord Jesus which we now profess, as also the disciplyne of the Churches, which according to the truth of the said gospell is now practised amongst us. As also in our Civil Affaires to be guided and governed according to such Lawes, Rules, Orders and decrees as shall be made, ordered and decreed, as followeth :"

Then follow eleven sections, clearly instituting the three great coordinate branches of republican government, the executive, the legislative and the judicial. In general, this constitution was a model in the minds of those who framed the Constitution of the United States one hundred and fifty years later.

Jan. 14 (1801)-The first Capitol buildings at Washington burned, year 1801.

Jan. 15 (1831)-First locomotive for actual use built in the United States was completed at Peter Cooper's iron works near Baltimore, Md., year 1831. On first trial, it drew an open car in which were seated the directors of the Baltimore & Ohio Ry. Co., from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills, at the rate of 18 miles an hour. It was named "Best Friend."

Jan. 15 (1865)-Fort Fisher (N. C.) captured by Federals, year 1865. Union victory: Gen. Alfred H. Terry

(Union land and naval force) vs. Gen. Whiting (Confederate garrison of 2,300 men).

Jan. 16 (1826)-National Academy of Design organized at New York, year 1826.

Jan. 16 (1918)-Proclamation issued by Dr. Harry A. Garfield, head of the Fuel Administration of the Government and indorsed by President Wilson, providing that on Jan. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of year 1918, and on each and every Monday beginning Jan. 28 and continuing up to and including March 25, 1918, "no manufacturing plant shall burn fuel or use power derived from fuel for any purpose whatever," excepting certain classes of plants engaged in producing and selling necessary foodstuffs, and others that had to be operated continuously. The proclamation, which came without warning, was a tremendous sensation in the nation-more so than the declaration of war against Germany. It was caused by a threatened coal famine, consequent upon the extraordinarily cold and stormy winter and the so-called “break down" of the railroads, which, largely because of the German war, were unable to distribute normally the necessary coal from the mines. A great outcry against Garfield was raised, but the people obeyed loyally the order, and observed the dates named as national holidays up to and including Monday, Feb. 11, when, mild weather having come, the order was revoked.

BIRTHDAY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
January 17, 1706

Benjamin Franklin was born at Boston, on Jan. 17, 1706; died at Philadelphia on April 17, 1790, aged eightyfour years. His body was buried in the cemetery of Christ Church, Philadelphia, and there his dust is now lying.

His father was a maker of tallow candles and soap. His mother was the daughter of Peter Folger, the Quaker poet of Nantucket Island. He was sent to school at the

age of eight. When he was ten, he was taken from school and set to work in his father's candle and soap factory. He never attended again a regular school, yet he became one of the best educated men in all the world's history. Naturally, he did not like soap boiling, so he was apprenticed to his brother to learn the trade of printer, which was to his liking, and eventually he became the most famous printer in America. He ran away from his apprenticeship when he was seventeen and went to Philadelphia where he opened a printing office. Later he went to London, England, and remained there eight years as a journeyman printer, returning to Philadelphia in 1726. From this time, he steadily rose as a printer and publisher. His public career began in 1736 when he was made clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly. Next year he became postmaster of Philadelphia. During the succeeding twenty years, aside from his duties as printer and publisher and public official, he devoted himself to scientific investigation, especially in electricity, with a success that astonished the world of scholars and scientists. In 1762 the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge conferred on him the degree of LL.D. and thereafter he was called "Doctor" Franklin. He was the first to propose a union of the Colonies, in 1755. When the Stamp Act controversy arose in 1765, he was sent by the colonies of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia and New Jersey to represent them in London. He remained in Europe ten years, the most striking American figure on that continent. After Independence was declared, he was sent as ambassador to France. His success in winning the friendship and admiration of the French court and people was amazing. Chiefly through him the alliance with France was consummated in 1778. He remained in France nine years. After the Revolutionary War he returned home. In 1786 he was elected governor of Pennsylvania. He was a leading member of the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States.