River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-08-03
Stories About Webster.

Chester Harding, a noted artist OF
Boston, was, during the latter part OF
his life, most intimate with Webster at
Washington, Boston and Marshfeld, a
strong tie between them being their
love for the sports of the rod and gun.
Mr.. g., intimate with Mr.. Harding
and now q resident of Bosten, Is au-
thority for whatever / here say in ref
erence to these mutual friends, and his
address is at the service of those who
seek it from me for a private use.
Mr. G. once when dining with Mr..
Harding in Boston, several years after
Webster's death, asked him: "What
sort of man was Webster" "What
sort of MANI" replied Harding. "He
was man that had rather drink a
toddy with than any other man."
Added c.: "Are the stories about
Webster's habits true?" ''Falsel sir,
falsep rejoined Harding. 81 knew
Webster for over twenty years. / have
fished with him; / have shot with
him; we have camped together; | was
intimate with him at Washington; my
daughters have visited his daughter
Julia; and, sir, / never at any time
saw Webster the worse for liquor"
"tThe worse for liquor is rather an
elastic phrase" said G. 81 mean," re-
piled Harding, that / never saw him
tipsy or tight or under the influence Of
liquor"
At another time Mr.. Harding said.
"One winter at Washington, George
Ashmun, Charles March, Mr.. - and
/ took a house together opposite to Mr..
Webster's. Not an evening passed but
at least one of us went to his mousse or
ne came to see us. Whatever our hab-
its were-and God knows | am no
saint-Mr Webster never exceeded two
or three glasses of wine at the table or
elsewhere. He retired early, usually
at 9 o'clock, for he was an early rieer."
Harding and Allison were intimate
friends. Once he lent his studio in
Boston to Allison for the winter, and
on returning to Washington was sur
prised to find that Allison, disappoint-
ed at the results of his winters labor,
had destroyed them completely. Be
sides painting Webster several times,
Harding took the portraits of various
eminent men. Calhoun gave him a
sitting on the day after the famous re.
ply to Hayne. well, Mr.. Calhoun,
said Harding, "what do you think OF
Webster's speech?' With great en-
phasis, Calhoun replied, "Mr. Webster
is very strong man," and relapsed In
to silence.
Here is postscript TO the Bunker
Hill Grafton of June IL, 1843, by Web
ster, super pocuId. 1t is given me by
DR.. George E. Ellis. of Boston, whose
accuracy in historic statements is pro
verbal:
1t was a day that tired mems bodies
and when the distinguished guests and
citizens repaired to Faneuil Hall at the
| conclusion of the Grafton there were
many wearied and faint among them
1t was period of cold water or anti
liquor excitement, and no "strong
potations" graced or disgraced the
| festal board. On the right of Mayor
Brimmer sat president Tyler, and or
his LETT Webster. Next to Webster sal
DR.. E., and next to him Secretary Up
shur. On taking their seats the Sec
retary remarked that he was exhaust
ed and very faint, and on being told
that there would be nothing stronger
than coffee or lemonade to drink, ex
pressed an emphatic regret. Webster
glanced at Upshur, turned TO a waiter
and said "Take this money and gel
bottle of brandy as soor
as YOU can" Webster handed
the bottle to Upshur, who return
ed it to Webster, under the table, with
the req uest that he take some Of it;
contents. After drinking some Web
ster poured some more into his glass