THE PREZ: FROM LOG CABIN TO CHEERY TREE, STUDENTS SPEAK OUT ABOUT WASHINGTON, LINCOLN

We can't lie. George Washington didn't chop down the cherry tree and didn't wear wooden teeth.

But for some second and third graders, history wouldn't be the same without that chopped down tree and those wooden teeth.

In observance of Presidents' Day today, the Southeast Missourian asked some second graders at Washington Elementary School and third graders at Jefferson Elementary School what they knew about Washington and Lincoln.

Second graders in Angela Schlitt's class at Washington had plenty to say about their school's namesake and "Honest Abe."

The students all knew that Washington was the nation's first president.

Michael Porter said Washington had to fight in a war. "He was brave to go in the woods with some men."

Nicholas Stucker said Washington got into trouble because he chopped down a cherry tree.

But classmate Chris Langley said Washington didn't get in trouble for the deed.

For many students, Washington's true fame boils down to dollars and cents. "He is on the quarter and the dollar bill," Langley said.

Jordan Taylor said Washington fought in the "Revelation War."

Jess Jenkins said, "He fought the Indians." Washington and his men won the war. "The Redcoats gave up," explained Jenkins.

Abraham Lincoln rated high marks with the second graders. Many of them knew he was the nation's 16th president.

The students said he was born in a log cabin and freed the slaves.

Joshua Harris said Lincoln "chopped down trees and made log cabins."

Adrian Bird said, "He got shot in a movie theater."

Bird said Lincoln wore "a big hat like a ringmaster.

"He was tall and he was friends with George Washington," said Bird.

Taylor said, "He wore a top hat and he put letters in it."

Tyler McCormack said, "He was over 6 feet tall. He traveled a lot."

Third graders in Ann Freeman's and Dorothy Evans' classes at Jefferson School knew little about Thomas Jefferson for whom the school is named.

But they all talked about Washington and Lincoln.

Many of the students mentioned Washington's false teeth.

"He had wood for his false teeth," said Aleta Musgrave. Many of her fellow students shared that view.

But Whitney Williams said Washington didn't have false teeth made from wood. "They were made out of cows and hippos," she said.

Williams was right. Historians say that Washington wore dentures made of human or animal teeth, ivory or lead, but never wood.

As to the cherry tree episode, it was fabricated by Parson Weems, who wrote a moralistic biography of Washington meant for school children.

Washington doesn't need a little fiction to boost his stature with historians.

Dr. J. Christopher Schnell, a Southeast Missouri State University history professor, views Washington as the nation's greatest president.

Washington served as a model for future presidents by establishing the two-term presidency.

He also offered sound advice, Schnell said. Washington urged the nation to avoid political parties. He advised the government to stay out of debt.

"Of course, he was a dynamic soldier," said Schnell.

Schnell ranks Lincoln as the second-best president. But he said most historians, biographers and political scientists rank Lincoln as the best president.

"Lincoln is usually considered the greatest because he led us through the Civil War and freed the slaves," said Schnell.

But to school children, Lincoln and Washington rate high for other reasons.

Williams rates Lincoln the best president, partly because he lived in a log cabin. "I've always wanted to live in a log cabin. And he read books, and I like to read books," said the Jefferson School student.

But fellow third grader Joe Wrinkle prefers Washington. If it wasn't for Washington, there would be no Independence Day. If that were the case, Wrinkle said he wouldn't be able to shoot off firecrackers.

It's tough being president. Musgrave said, "A lot of presidents were shot by people who didn't like them."

Erich Arvidson said his favorite president is James Garfield. "I like Garfield because he is named after Garfield, the orange cat," said Arvidson, referring to the cartoon character.

Ronald Reagan was the only Hollywood star to serve as president, Arvidson said.

"Sometimes you think about Clinton, but not very much," he said.

Presidential Trivia Quiz.

Who established Presidents' Day?

Harry Truman

Richard Nixon

George Washington

Franklin D. Roosevelt

George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and then confessed the deed to his father.

True

False

Which president gave the shortage inaugural address?

Bill Clinton

Theodore Roosevelt

George Washington

Harry Truman

Which president got stuck in the White House tub the first time he used it?

Ronald Reagan

Abraham Lincoln

William Howard Taft

Thomas Jefferson

The teddy bear is named for Theodore Roosevelt.

True

False

Who was the only president to pay off the national debt?

Martin Van Buren

George Washington

Thomas Jefferson

Andrew Jackson

Who was the last president to graze sheep on the White House lawn?

Woodrow Wilson

Gerald Ford

John Adams

Abraham Lincoln

While president, Ulysses S. Grant was once arrested for driving his horse too fast and was fined $20.

True

False

The Library of Congress was started with 6,000 books purchased at a cost of $23,950 from which president?

George Washington

James Madison

Thomas Jefferson

Abraham Lincoln

Who was the first president to ride in an automobile?

Abraham Lincoln

Benjamin Harrison

Woodrow Wilson

William McKinley

Who was the first president to have a putting green on the White House lawn?

Harry Truman

John F. Kennedy

Dwight Eisenhower

Gerald Ford

Which president was the first to live in the White House?

George Washington

James Madison

John Adams

Andrew Jackson

Abraham Lincoln was the first president to wear a beard.

True

False

Which president kept an alligator in the White House?

Andrew Jackson

John Quincy Adams

Ulysses S. Grant

Theodore Roosevelt

George Washington had wooden teeth

True

False

Answers:

1-Nixon in 1971; 2-False; 3-Washington, his second inaugural address was only 135 words long; 4-Taft; 5-True; 6-Jackson; 7-Wilson; 8-True; 9-Jefferson; 10-McKinley, after being shot he was taken to the hospital in a 1901 Columbia electric ambulance; 11-Eisenhower; 12- John Adams; 13-True; 14-John Quincy Adams; and 15-False, at various times he wore dentures made of human or animal teeth, ivory or lead, but never wood.