[The_Rorschach]

"It was a story to help strengthen the image of him, and it has been passed down for quite awhile. Although, it was not written right away."

My head hurts. Badly. The story you are citing, by Mason Locke Weems written in 1806, was NOT a propaganda piece used to "strengthen the image of (Washington)." He wrote of the 'legend' of Washington, much as he did with Franklin. It was not to be taken anymore seriously than the exploits of Paul Bunyion. It was a little fact mixed with alot of hype, and he commented as much his himself.

This is like trying to say anyone actually believed the world was flat, as depicted by Washington Irving - You know, the same fucker that wrote Sketch Book (1820), which included his stories of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (The Headless Horseman) and Rip Van Winkle?

Give people some credit. Not everyone is that incredulous.