Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-06-02
An OLD-TIME LANDLORD.
"REMINISCENCES OF JIMMY
MAHER AND THE GLOBE
HOTEL.
HIS VIRTUES AND EcCENTRIclTIEs-How
THE VENERABLE SIMON CAMERON
MADE HIS FIasT MONEY AND
woNTHETITLE oF'wINNE.
BAGo CHIEF"

1t was during the latter part oI
Jackson's administration one Jimmie
Maher, originally from Cork, hourished
as chiei gardener at the Executive
mansion. Jimmie Maher was as quaint
character as Ireland ever gave to
this country or the city of Washing
ton enjoyed He was open-hearted
and had big, warm Irish heart in
him. No hungry man ever entered
Jimmies house that was not asked
chad he a mouth on him 7" Jimmie
was witty, too, and like a majority OF
bis countrymen had weakness fol
whisky, unmixed. Yet, unlike many
of his countrymen, whisky sent him
into the happiost of moods and dis.
position to do "ivery man favor, do
We moind.' Fighting whisky, it must
be remarked, was not so plenty then
as now.
The Botanical garden in those days
was colony of canny Scothman, and
it is related of Jimmie Maher that he
would go down there when the Super,
intendent was away, invite the subordi-
mates out to drink at little tavern
over the way, get them all gloriously
drunk on hot Scotches, and leave them
all asleep on the floor. Jackson's an.
cestors were from Carrickfergus, Ire.
land, and Jimmie Maher originated in
Cork, Ireland. 1t was only natural
then, that they should take kindly one
to the other. Indeed, they had odd
traits of character in common but
the gardener would at times, especially
when under the influence of poteen
do things which sorely tried the old
Generals patience. Jimmie had sew
eral times made things more lively in
the kitchen of the White House thar
was agreeable to Mrs. Jackson and the
domestics, and the result was q re-
monstrance from the old General. That
was many years before John. W
Forney and other politicians organized
the "Kitchen Cabinet" In short
Kendall and Blair's lights were burn
ing at that day, and the Whig vocalistt
were singing "0h, Garry Me Back tC
Old Virginia"
Well, the General sent for Jimmie
intending to administer reprimand
jimmie appeared before the Genera
with his hat in his hand and his face
bathed in patience.
"Mr. Maher," said the General, sc
verely, 81 hear great many bad thingi
about you from time to time. 1t Il
reported TO me that you have raised
the very devil in the kitchen by your
eccentricities, or something worse
Unless you improve shall have tC
discharge"
"Is it ixcintricities you call thin
your onhor2" interrupted Jimmie
twirling his hat and looking quizzically
at the General
"Yes; and / might have called i
something worse" resumed Jackson
"Stay awhile, stay awhile, yul
onhor,' again interrupted Jimmie
"thOro's a mighty dale in what yul
sayin'. But il Jimmie Mayher'd be
lieve tinth part of the bad be hear
about your onhor he'd not be long il
yur onhor's imploy."
Jackson moved his hand, told Jim
mic he could go, but enjoined him Il
keep peace with the domestics.
On landing in this country Jimmie
Maher made a lodgment somewhere il
Pennsylvania, whore he formed the &C
quaintanoe of Simon Cameron, wht
was not 30 rich then as he is now. To
tell the honest truth, that was beior,
Simon turned the great State Of Penn
sylvania into political cattle yard
when young Simon was Of gay turr
OF mind, and could tip punch with
any of them. Jimmie took TO the gay
Simon, and Simon took took tho relish
ing Jimmie with equal kindness. W,
have said this because we very sooI
bring the two together in Washing
ton.
The old Globo hotel, or rather inn
an unpretending wooden building
with front door opening slantways
as was common at that day, and ,
gable window above, overlooking {
portion Of Pennsylvania avenue, anC
oil that triangle in front of Naylor'l
stables, stood on the northeast cornel
OF Thirteen and O. half and Il streets
II was for many years landmark il
Washington, and its visitors wer'
among the most prominent Of our citi
zens. In addition TO the duties o
chiei gardener ut the Executive Man
sion Jimmie Maher, IN l936-37 becam,
mine host Of the Globe hotel, and sooI
made it famous for its hospitality ant
tho good quality of liquor served a
the bal. In addition to the bar thcr,
was little back room, where men lik,
Webster and Clay and others of thoi
type would drop in and sip a glass o
Of pure brandy. We put on NOR
style now than we did in Jackson
time. As an evidence of this II wa
Jimmie Mahcr's boast that none Of tn
great men in Washington were abov
taking his arm and Joining him In
glass at the Globe. The air Of com
fort and neatness which prevailed a
the Globe was due TO Mrs. Mahor, VIII
was as good housewife as could b
found In tho District. For sign Jim
min had n xvoodan oloho olovatod o,