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"UNCLE SAM"
of Arlington, Massachusetts
Samuel Wilson, a native of Arlington, was af-
fectionately called "Uncle Sam" by his friends.
A meat packer and inspector in later life, he
was inspector of supplies for the government dur-
ing the War of 1812 and stamped all that he
inspected "U.S." for United States. The soldiers
began referring to items so marked as belonging
to "Uncle Sam." In the beginning he was clean
shaven, wearing a tail coat and top hat. Cartoon-
ist added red pants during Andrew Jackson's
presidency and during the Civil War they grew
him a beard. Thus a symbol of the United States
as true to Americans as Santa Claus is to Christ-
mas was born. Yes, Uncle Sam was a real person!
YANKEE
COLOUR
© 1966 Yankee Colour Corp., Southboro, Mass.
Yankee Colour Art by Bam Sawler
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