135. Why was Montana organized so soon after its first settlement? Ans. Because of the rapid emigration to its gold mines, which were soon opened by the miners. Alaska. { 1790-Kodiac. 136. What power first owned Alaska? Ans. Russia first explored Alaska under the order of Peter the Great in 1728. This power established a government at Kodiac in 1790. The United States purchased the Territory of Russia in 1867 for $7,200,000. Wyoming. 1863 Organized. { 137. What is the "youngest Territory"? Ans. Wyoming, not being organized until 1868, and not settled until the year before. 138. What caused the settling of Wyoming? Ans. The building of the U. P. R. R. opened up the country to settlers. District of 1790-Act of Congress. 1871-Organized. 139. Who selected the site for the District of Columbia? Ans. Washington, in 1790. An act of congress passed June 28, 1790, established the District of Columbia, or rather provided for its organization. The clause is as follows: "That a district of territory on the river Potomac, at some place between the mouths of the Eastern Branch and the Connogacheague, be, and the same is hereby accepted for the permanent seat of government of the United States." Maryland had ceded sixty-four miles, called the county of Washington, in 1788, and Virginia had so given thirty-six miles, called the county of Alexandria, in 1789, to the United States government, but it was not accepted until 1790. 140. Why has the District but sixty-four square miles at the present time? Ans. Congress ceded the thirty-six miles which Virginia had presented back to that commonwealth in 1846. 141. When was slavery abolished in the District of Columbia? Ans. April 16, 1862. 142. Is Washington City incorporated? Ans. No. The charter was repealed in 1871. 143. How was the District governed previous to 1871? Ans. It was governed directly by congress, having no representation in that body. 144. Why do not the people of this District vote for president? Ans. Because it is a Territory. It became a Territory with one delegate in congress on June 1, 1871. ORIGIN OF THE NAMES OF STATES. It is sometimes a matter of interest to know the origin of the name of a certain State. We append a list of the States with the accepted version of the origin. The teacher should call the attention of his pupils to this list, and by questioning a little daily, endeavor to fix the origin of the most important names. MAINE, from Mayne-land. NEW HAMPSHIRE, from Hampshire, England. VERMONT, from verd (green) and mont (mountain). Literally "Green Mountain." MASSACHUSETTS, from an Indian term, meaning “Blue Hills." Another source authorizes, "The place of great hills." RHODE ISLAND, from the Island of Rhodes, Mediterranean Sea, also "Roodt Eylandt," red island. CONNECTICUT, from an Indian word which means 66 River." NEW YORK, from the Duke of York, England. Long NEW JERSEY, from the Island of Jersey, coast of France. DELAWARE, from De la War, at one time governor of Virginia. Lord Delaware. PENNSYLVANIA, from Penn, and sylvia, (woods) meaning "Penn's woods." MARYLAND, from Queen Henrietta Maria. VIRGINIA, from the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth. NORTH COROLINA, from Charles II., King of England. The Latin is "Carolus." SOUTH CAROLINA, same source. ORIGIN OF THE NAMES OF STATES. GEORGIA, from George II., of England. 215 FLORIDA, from a Spanish word meaning flowering. Another version has it that De Leon made the discovery of the peninsula on Easter Sunday, "Pasqua de Flores," and from this the name was derived. ALABAMA, from an Indian word meaning, "Here we rest." MISSISSIPPI, from an Indian word which means "Great Father of Waters." LOUISIANA, from Louis XIV., King of France. TEXAS, supposed to be of Mexican origin, but no authentic account is given. ARKANSAS, from an Indian tribe of the same name. MISSOURI, from an Indian word, meaning "Muddy Water." TENNESSEE, from an Indian word, meaning "River with a Great Bend." KENTUCKY, from an Indian word, meaning "Dark and Bloody Ground." ILLINOIS, from an Indian word, meaning " River of Men." OHIO, from an Indian word, meaning "Beautiful River." MICHIGAN, from an Indian word, meaning "Great Lakes." WISCONSIN, from an Indian word, meaning "Gathering of the Waters." Iowa, from an Indian word, meaning "Drowsy Ones." MINNESOTA, from an Indian word, meaning "Cloudy Water." KANSAS, from an Indian word, meaning "Smoky Water." NEBRASKA, from an Indian word, meaning "Water Valley." NEVADA, from a Spanish word, meaning "Snow Covered." COLORADO, probably from the Spanish. CALIFORNIA, from a character in an old Spanish romance. OREGON, from the Spanish Oregano, wild marjoram. |