The Columbia Herald

CHAMPION GROWER OF CORN RETURNS FROM WASHINGTON

JOHN VAN McKIBBON, OF CULLEOKA, BACK FROM CAPITAL OF NATION.

SAW SIGHTS BEAUTIFUL CITY
Received Flowers and a Call From the President—Presented With a Beautiful Diploma by Secretary of Agriculture Jas. Wilson.

John Van McKibbon, the champion corn grower of Tennessee, returned Saturday night to his home at Culleoka, after spending about a month in Washington where he went to receive a diploma from Secretary of Agriculture Wilson as the first prize winner of Tennessee.

The young corn expert had a great time in Washington despite the fact that he was in a hospital with a case of pneumonia for more than two weeks. He stated, however, that after he recovered he put in the time seeing the sights of America's most beautiful and attractive city. He saw congress in session, took a look in at the grave and reverend justices of the supreme court, "earth's most august tribunal" wandered through the magnificent congressional library, viewed miles and miles of Maryland and Virginia from the top of the monument to the "father of the country," made a visit to the White House and in short saw about all that was to be seen of Washington.

Master McKibbon said that he was not homesick except when his fever was very high and while he was getting better he was confined to a very light diet. "Then," he said, "I tell you I thought of home." And doubtless he did for visions of good things to eat that one always finds at the home of a Maury county farmer danced before his eyes.

There was nothing that the young Maury countian appreciated more during his visit to the nation's capital than the consideration of President Taft.

The Chief Executive called on him while he was sick and also sent him flowers and in other ways manifested his interest in the youth who had made a new record for corn production in Tennessee.

Young McKibbon was presented by Secretary of Agriculture Wilson with a beautiful diploma which he sent to his mother and which is now on display at the show window of Anderson Bros. & Foster. I. H. McKibbon, of Culleoka, met his son in Nashville.

On his return to Culleoka, he was the recipient of hearty congratulations from his numerous friends.