Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-02-24
LINDENWALD.
The House Of the Little Magician" and the
Resort Of His Friends.
"REMINISCENCES FROM THE LIFE OF
MARTIN VAN BUREN.

miles south of Undertook village
stands square brick mansion
shaded by pines and Gndens, whose
present interest is mainly due to the
fact that it was for many years the
residence of the eighth President OF
the United States. "Lindenwald'
received it's name from Martin Van
Buren,, the 'little magician" whose
social tact and hospitality made it q
famons resort until the day of his
death. 1t was the resort OF many
famous men, Among the visitors
were Henry Clay, Thomas H. Ben
ton, David Wilmot, Silas Wright
William L. Marcy, Washington Irv-
ing, the Earl of Carlyle, Charles
Sumner, Prince John Van Buren,
Frank Blair, and many other noted
literateurs and politicians of the day
1t was here that Irving wrote part OF
the sketch Book" and "Knicker-
bocker's History of New York" In
an autograph letter, in the writer
possession, written by Irving TO
Jesse Merwin, who taught shool near
Lindenwald, reference is made to
their piratical prank in plundering
John Moore's canoe of perch and
pickerel, and setting it adrift on the
lake to make up for their own bad
luck. The house in which Van Buren,
was born was in the southern part of
the village, nearly opposite the old
Dutch Church. A few years ago it
was torn down, and new one was
built on the old site.
Many legends haunt the spot
where once stood the old church,
long since removed. It was here
that Martin Van Buren attended SER
vice when tow-headed boy, in his
homespun gray suit and a little
broad-skirted butternut-colored over
coat Matty's parents were illiterate
and poor, but were noted for service
able, home bred common sense His
father kept a tavern which contained
less than half-dozen rooms for
guests, and a small "cholce- stocked"
bar. AT an early age the boy was
sent to school, and at IA was APP
prenticed to Francis Sylvester, the
village attorney, with whom he re
mained several years. Removing to
New York. he read law with Judge
Van Ness and met Aaron Burr Re-
turning to Undertook in 1903, he
hung out his shingle, and rumor says
was soon engaged to cause which
was rendered memorable from the
fact that Little Matty" was obliged
to stand on a table when he made his
argument in court, in order to be
seen and heard. From that day he
made rapid rise in his profession.
Politics opened a new field for his
energies and set his mind aglow. It
is said that Van Buren, got his polit-
ical code from Thomas Jefferson and
his tactics from Aaron Burr. His
enemies, who called him the ''Kind
erhook Fox" were eager to believe
that his private tutor was either
Machiavelli or the devil.
After leaving the White House the
ex President retired to Lindenwald,
where he spent the remaining years
of his life. His hospitality was un-
bounded, and if there gathered
around his table q staid and sober
company, Prince John. the greatest
of wags, let in a CLEAN Of fun. Henry
Clay's visit made great stir in the
community, for he was then in the
zenith of his fame. 1t is related that
during Clay's visit at Lindenwald a
reception was given at the village
hotel. A young lady made her ap-
pearance to be introduced, but the
master of ceremonies, DR.. Beekman,
had forgotten her name. Mr.. Clay
happily released the gentleman from
the dilemma by saying:
Mr.. Beekman, never mind the
young lady's name now; she will
change it soon."
An amusing anecdote is told by an
oil d inhabitant, of Thomas II. Ben
ton when the guest of MIR. Van
Buren, at one of those famous parties
for which Lindenwald was noted in
its palmy days. After the dessert
had been served finger bowls were
brought in, and were viewed with
some suspicion on the part of one or
two of the guests. Later Benton
said to a friend: II observed Mr..
Van Buren, immerse the tips of his
fingers in one of those little glass
bowls and wipe them dainty on his
napkin, but / just rolled back my
cuffs and took good plain republi-
can wash"
One day the Principal Of Kinder
hook Academy called at Lindenwald
with an autograph album which con-
tained Baron Humboldt's signature,
and requested Van Buren's auto
graph. "Where shall l put my name
Mr.. Post?" asked the President.
"Os, anywhere, Mr.. Van Buren, was
the reply, "you will find plenty OF
blank pages in the book" The ex.
President turned over the leaves
carelessly, and seeing Humboldts
signature paused, took up pen, and
wrote his own name directly under
the Baron's.
The ex-President in his old age
did not lose his youthful nerve and
vim, and was universally respected
and loved here. Though he could
not boast commanding presence, ht
had an elastic figure and carried him
self erect His features were ami
mated when conversing, and wore ,
constant smile. When relating al
anecdote or relishing good stor.
L. ox,os, t,u,u uL1oJ ry,tb fun Tn fai,