The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-06-21
Our 0liu.
The Presidents Horses.

Just south of the State department, on
Seventeenth street, says the Washington
Star, are the White House stables. The
building is two-story press brick, forming
three sides of square 1t is set back a
little way from the street, and the stable
yard and drive way are paved with asphalt
clear to the side walk. The building is
reached through an iron gate from the
street. A private telephone wire runs from
the Office of the Presidents secretary the
stables, so that carriage can be summoned
in very few minutes. There is nothing
remarkable about these stables In fact
there are scores of private stables in the
West End far handsomer, more convenient,
and healthier. A deep cellar extends be-
meath the stable portion, and the moisture
soaking through its walls is apt 10 make it
unhealthy for the horses. The only inter
est attached to the stables arises from the
simple fact that they are the Presidents
stables. Desiring to know something about
their contents, and knowing the antipathy
of the stable employees to reporters, the
Star man sought the kind services of Col.
w. HI. Crook, the executive clerk, and
was accompanied by him the other morning
through the stables. The central part of
the building in which the horses are stabbed
has stood, as it now is, for many years, but
the wings were extended couple of years
ago to make more carriage room, as Presi-
dent Arthur needs more than former Pres
idents. The north half of the stable proper
is devoted to the Presidents private horses.
There are three large box stalls on one side,
and six stalls un the other. The Presi-
dents riding horse is the occupant of one
of the box stalls. He is a sorrel gelding,
seven years old, and about sixteen hands
high. There is nothing remarkable about
this animal. He is simply good-looking,
easy riding horse, his principal gaits being
pace and canter The President frequently
takes q ride ON summer evenings. He is
fair rider, and is fond of the exercise
He has four carriage horses, two in the box
stalls and two in the stalls on the other
side. They are all bays, about sixteen
hands high. They are very stylish, and
are groomed to perfection, and either pair
hitched to any one of the handsome car
riages, with Albert on the box, makes very
striking turnout. Occasionally they are
driven four-in-hand. Two other stalls are
occupied by Allan Arthur's buggy team,
one Hambletonian gelding and the other
Black Hawk mare. They are driven a
great deal, either single or double, by their
owner when he is at home, but while he is
at college they receive only the necessary
exercise. Allan Arthur is very daring
rider. He not only knows how to ride well
but has plenty of nerve, and it takes good
horse to get the better of him.
In one of the remaining stalls stands the
little Indian pony which the President
brought back from his trip to the Yellow
stone country last year. He has not yet
made his debut, but is receiving a course
of training at the hands of Albert on the
White Lot drive. When by patience and
careful training he becomes perfectly docile
he will be driven by the Presidents daugh-
ter Nellie to dog cart. He is cute lit
tie thing, with reached name and banged
tail. His color is what is termed in the
West as painted or "calico," and what
the children call "circus' s''-irregularly
marked with white and brown in about
equal proportions. He was presented to
the President last summer by Sharpnose,
an Arrapahoe chief.
The south side of the stable is devoted
to the office horses, six in number. The
pair of clipped sorrels usually driven in the
secretary's carriage are very good travellers.
"a great many people think, said Col.
Crook, ''that the expense of keeping the
Presidents horses are borne by the govern
ment. Such is not the case. The govern
ment keeps up the office stable, of course,
but all those horses in the north side are
the Presidents own property, and their
keeping is paid for by him. There are
practically two distinct stables. When Al
bert needs feed he buys it from private
firm, while the feed for the Office horses
comes from the quartermaster' department
General Grant had very fine horses
when he was President, continued Colonel
Crook, ''and it was very seldom that he was
passed on the road. He was splendid
driver Hayes had only four horses-a
pair of grays, and pair of bays. Garfield
had very nice turnouts. He had one pair
of bays and gray and black. The lat
ter were used mostly for saddle horses, and
the boys used to ride them great deal''
The south wing of the stables is used for
the Presidents carriage, and in the second
story live the watchman and his family.
The President has three carriages, a landau,
a victoria and brougham. They were all
very handsomely finished. President Ar
thurs coat-of-arms is on the doors with the
motto: ''Impelle obstantia." Allan Ar
thurs Brewster trotting buggy is also in
this carriage-house The opposite wing
contains the Office carriages coupe and
a six-seated carriage.
Albert, the Presidents well-known dri-
yer, has acted in that capacity for Grant,
Hayes and Garfield He is faithful ser
want and thorough horseman. He is very
fond of horses, but he dislikes reporters.
If he thinks question is asked for news
paper purposes, he shuts up like clam
He never leaves the stables at night until
he is certain that he will not be needed any
more. In case an emergency should arise
and his services be required, the watchman
always knows where to find him. He is
very dark, but a fne-looking man, and in
his handsome livery looks well on the box:
Beverly Lomas, handsome mulatto house
servant, acts as footman to the President.
President Arthur's turnouts always look
well and always attract attention.
A Big Word.
A yery old Welsh name has lust turned