The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-29
John j Crittenden and Old Kentucky Gus
toms

Mrs, Coleman, Oh .Daltlnore, HAS MiitlCh
a charming book about her father, John d.
Crittenden, one of the great and good men
of Kentucky. This is a sketch of home and
home-hfe: #E
81 rccollect row of tall Lombardy pop
lars all along the front of the house /; they !
were grand old trees, growing ever upward,
having neither fruit or flowers, and giving |
no shade , they were considered cumberers |
of the ground, and were cut down and re-
placed BY locusts. | remember them with |
regret. The tree has gone, out of fashion,
but whenever see one it brings back misty
recollections of the past and of the old home
life.
Mr., Crittenden hada real affection for
his trees his locusts were topped from
time to time, and watched over with great
care. He had habit of talking to him.
self with animation. He came down gem
orally before breakfast and walked in front
of the house. If alone, he talked and ges-
ticulated earnestly, to the amusement of
tho children, who were peeping at him
through the window. Strangers, guests in
the house, would sometimes catch aglmpse
of him, and say, Why who is Mr.. Crit
tenden talking to ?" They would be high
ly amused when the thing was explained,
and ioin the children at their post of OBJ
servation. The old corner tree, which was
twisted and gnaled and unsightly to every
other eye was his especial tavorite; he
would stand by it every morning, tapping
it with his cane, and holding with it, SEEM
ingly, an animated conversation.
a3a These seem trivial things to recall, but
the old Frankfort people will be gladly re-
minded of them, and these simple facts will
bring back with them other memories of
Mr.. Crittenden his cheerful good morn
ing his ready sympathy, his unostenta-
tious hospitality, and all the nameless
charms of manner, which not even his po-
litical opponents could resist. Mr.. Critten-
den was, indeed, hospitable- in grand old
way, not as many men are with their super
fluffy, for, in his whole life, he never knew
that thing.' 1t was his custom to enter
tain the Senators and members Of the Ken
lucky Legislature every winter, giving
about three dinners week, and thus enter
tanning, before the session closed, every
member more than once. These dinners
were of the simplest character. In early
days 'old Bourbon figured largely at the
feast, but later, when times grew hard and
money scarce, it was dispensed with. A
big fish and a saddle of venison were the
principal dishes, and vegetables of old Ken
lucky growth the only addition. In those
days am confident the French peas and
asparagus would have been looked upon
with suspicion, and avoided. | believe
that aimerrier or wittier set of fellows were
never assembled around any table than those
Kentucky lawyers aud politicians
And this of Daniel Webster at Ken
lucky barbecue is delicious
SIN 1886 Mr.. Webster visited the west,
and came from Lexington to Frankfort to
see Mr.. CIittenden. He was his guest for
some days at that time, and received from
the yeomanry Of Franklin county the
usual compliment paid to distinguished Wis
itors in that locality, "a barbecue, or, as it
was called at that time, "a bergoo.' This
was regarded as an unusually great occa-
sion, and extensive preparations were made
to do honor to MIR. Webster. The men
were rallied from far and wide, and a
mighty gathering was the result. The
place honored by custom for this Kentucky
iestiyity was about seven miles from
Frankfort, on the farm of Mrs. Innis, the
mother of Mrs. Crittenden. A romantic
little stream called Benson, wound about
through the woods near the house, and in
the dense forest along its borders the Ken
lucky host assembled. | cannot explain
the origin Of the word 'bergoo : the feast
differed from barbecue in that it was
more primitive. Immense iron pots were
for such occasions, and each man was ex-
pected to bring his tin cup and pewter spoon.
''Bergoos" were always the order of the
day when summer vegetables abounded !;
only one dish was prepared, but it was as
sayory as the mess brought by Esau to his
father, the blind patriarch. All the birds
and squirrels round about were shot, pre-
pared, and thrown unfortunately into the
large pots; then all the farms and gardens
in the neighborhood were put under con-
tributions, and young corn, tomatoes, peas,
beans-in short, every vegetable that could
be found, was added. All this boiled away
vigorously till the salutations of the day
wee over, family news told, and kindly
questions asked and answered. The BUSH
ness of the day (Which was making speech
es and listening to them concluded, then
all present gathered around the steamng
pots, cup and spoon in hand, to receive
their portion. | don't remember that |
ever tasted this famous broth, but it per-
fumed the woods, and know that every
one asked for more.
There was no distinction Of persons on
these occasions, except that the orators of
the day and the visitors were first served;
but tin cup and pewter spoon were the
only Implements. Mr.. Webster was ac-
companied by his wife and daughter Julia,
aiterward Mrs. Appleton, and on the great
day Of the feast we drove out to Mrs. lnnis.
After resting at the house we walked over
to the camping ground. Mr.. Webster was
received with shouts that almost rent the
heavens. He was welcomed in the usual
form and called upon for a speech, which
he made in his inimitable STYLE"
TERRIBLE WALL STREET GRIEF
Coming up from New York, yesterday, i
met apoor, disconsolate Wall street broker.
His heart Seemed broken, and his face was
the picture of despair. had been usherat
his wedding a few months before, when he
seemed the picture of happiness; so smil-
ing, said:
Why, Charles! what has happened
what makes you so sad ?" asked.
SO Eli" he sighed. am all broken up.
have met with dreadful misfortune"
''What is it, Charley 2" | urged sympa-
thetically.
so! Eli, Nellie, my dear wife is dead !"
and then he broke down. Pretty soon be
continued: nYes. - Pm all broken nm. I