The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-01-17
Van Buren and kinaerhook and Guests
IAmeriean Resister.I

Van Bnren and Undertook and Guests.
lAmerican Register.l
A letter-writer tells that on the old post /
.oad about two miles south Of Undertook |
village stands square brick mansion,
hsded by pines and lindens, whose present
interest is mainly due TO the fact that il was |
'or many years the residence of the eighth |
President of the United States. Linden
wsld' received its name from Martin Van |
Buren,, the "little magician" whose social |
TACT and hospitality made it q fam ous resort |
until the day of his death. The house was |
not erected by Mr.. Van Buren,, as many |
suppose, but BY William p. Van Ness, a |
Judge of the United States District Court |
for the southern district of New York, who |
was Aaron Burr's SO sond in the duel with |
and whose ancestors, according
to DiedrIch Knickerbocker, invented the
buck wheat cake. While Judge Van Ness
lived at Lindenwsld, and during Van
Buren's residence there, it was the resort of
many famous men. Among the visitors
were Henry Clay, Thomas II. Benton,
David Wilmot, Silas Wright, Will
liam L. Marcy, Washington Irving, the
Earl o. Carlyle, when travelling incognito
Charles Sumner, Prince John Van Buren,,
Frank Blair, and many notod litersteurs
and politicians of the day. 1t was here that
Irving wrote part of the sketch Book"
and "Knickerbocker's History of New
York" In an autograph letter, in the
writer's possession, written by Irving to
Jesse Merwin, who taught school near Lin
denwsld, reference is made to their piIat
l. in nhn
canoe OF perch and pickerel, and setting it
sdrift on the lake, to make up for their own
bad lick. Irvings intimacy with Mervin
was formed during his visit to Judge Van
Ness. 1t was then the custom for the
teacher to board around, and IS Judge Van
Ness had children at Merwin's school. he
came in turn To board with the Judge. But
Merwln proved snch good company that
long after his term hsd expired he was per-
susded to make Lndenwald his home. In
the spirit of playful humor in which Butler
burlesqued his host, Sir Samuel Luke, in the
character of HudIbras, Irving caricatured
his schoolmaster friend. Jesse Merwin was
the original of Ichabod Crane, and his re-
mains are buried in the village cemetery.
The house in which Van Buren, was born
was in the southern part of the village, near
ly opposite the old Dutch Church. A few
years ago it was torn down and a new one
was built on the old site.
Many legends haunt the spot where once
stood the old Church, long since removed
| 1t was here that Martin Van Buren attend
ed service when q tow-headed boy, in hii
| home-spun gray suit and little broad
skirted buiternut-colored overcos.. Matty'i
parents were illiterste and poor, but were
noted for servicesble, homebred common
sense. His father kept tavern which con
tanned less than O half-doZen rooms FOL
guests and email "choice-stocked" bar
At an early age the boy was sent to scnool
and at Ia was spprenticed to Francis Sill
Tvester, the village attorney, with whom h
remained several years. Removing to New
York, he read law with Judge Van Nes
and met Aaron Burr. Returning to Kin
derhook in 1903, he hung out his shingle
and rumor says was soon engaged in
cause which was rendered memorable from
the fact that little ''Mstty" was obliged Il
stand on q table when he made his argu
ment in court, in order to be seen and
heard. From that day he made rapid ris'
in his profession. Politics opened Dev
field for his energies and set his mind aglow
1t Is said that Van Buren, got his poljiica
code from Thomas Jefferson and his tactic
from Aaron Burr. His enemies, who calles
him the Undertook Fox" were eager t.
believe that his private tutor was eithe
Mschsvelli or the devil.
After leaving the White House, the ex
President retired to Lindenwald, where b
spent the remaining years of his life. Hi
hospitality was unbounded, and if Their
gathered around his table staid and sobe
company. Prince John, the greatest o
wage, let IN a CLEAN of fun. Henry Clay
visit made great stir in the community
for he was then in the zenith o
his tame. 1t is relsted by the venerabl
Henry c. Van Setback that during Clay
visit at Lindenwald q reception was give
him at the village hotel. A young lad
made her appearance to be introduced, bu
the master of ceremonies, ID Beckman, hs
forgotten her name. Mr.. Gay happily re
leasad the gentleman from the dilemma b.
sayings
"Mr Beckmsn, never mind the youn
lady's name now; she will change it soon.
An amusing anecdote is told by an oil
Iinhsbitant of Thomas III. Benton when th
guest of Mr.. Van Buren, at one of tho:
famous dinner parties for which LindeI
valid wss noted in its palmy dsys. Aft'
, ; the dessert mad been served finger bow
we're brought it. and were viewed with son
suspicion on the part of one or two of Ii
guests. Later Benton said to friend;
= observed Mr.. Van Buren, immerse the III
of his fingers in one of those little gla
: bowls and wipe them daintily on his napki
but I Just -olled back my cuffs and took
= good plain Republican wash"
o One day the principal Of Kinderho'
4 Academy called Linden valid with an q
y tograph album which contained Bar'
a Humboldt's signature, and requested VI
q Buren'e autograph. Where shall put n
q name Mr.. Postf" asked the ex Presidel
i "On, anywhere. Mr.. Van Buren," was I
q reply; ayou will find plenty Of blank pag
h in the book" The ex-President turn
!. over the leaves carelessly, and seeing HUI
.. boldt's signature, paused, took up pen, a
Il wrote his own name directly under the b.
1. one.
r. The ex-President in his old age did n
b. lose his youthful verve and vim. and "
rs universally respected and loved he
IN Though he could not oo'
n. commanding presence, he b
I'd an elastic figure and carried himself ere
IN His features were animated when conve
III ing. and wore q constant smile. When
he lating an anecdote or relishipg good ste
lg bis eyes twinkled with fun. In fair wea
h, or il was his custom to take horseback T
=. | -.~x.;r.~ until hia nal iii nosa Att