Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-04-05
TIE PRESIDENTS EURsES.

an Avenue dude
THE PRESIDENTS lg0RSES.
A Visit to the White House Stables.
THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE STABIES-THE PREsI-
DENT SADDLE HORSE AND CARRIAGE TEAMS
ALLAN ARTHUR's TROTTERs-MIss NELLIE'S
INDIAN PONY NOW IN TRAINING-THE HORSES
DRIVEN BY FORMER PRESIDENTS, &C.
JUST SCUM OF the State department. on 18th
street, are the White House stables The build
ing Is two-story press brick, forming three
SIDES or square. 1t is set back 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 1rem the office of the Presidents secretary
10 the stables, 30 that carriage can be
summoned In very few minutes.
mere Is nothing remarkable about these stables.
IN TACT there are scores Of private stables In the
west End far handsomer, more convenient, and
health1er. A deep cellar extends beneath the
staole pOrtOn and the moisture soaking through
us walls Is apt to make it unhealthy for the
horses The only interest attached to the sta
pies arises from the simple fact that they are the
residents stables Desiring to know some
thlns ABOUT their contents, and knowing the
antlpathy OF the stable employees to reporters,
The STAR man sought the kind services of Col.
". H. Crook. the executive clerk, and was &C
companled by him the other morning through
the stables The central part of the build
ing In which the horses are stabbed has
stood, as 1t now is, for many years. but the
wings were extended couple of years ago to
make more carriage room. as President Arthur
needs more than former Presidents. The north
nall OF the stable proper ID devoted to
THE PRESIDENTS PRIVATE HORSES
There are three large box stalls on one side,
and six stalls on the other. The Presidents rid
ing horse is the occupant of one of the box
stalls. He is sorrel gelding. seven years old
and about sixteen hands high There is nothing
remarkable about this animal. He is simply a
good-looking, easy riding horse. his principal
gaits being pace and canter. The President
frequently takes q ride on summer evenings
lie is 1alr rider and is fond of the exercise
tie mas tour carriage horses two in the box stalls
ana two IN the stalls Onithe other side. They
are all Days about sixteen hands high. They
are very stylish. anu are gfoomed to perfection
and either pair hitctled to any one of the hand
someicarrlageS, with Albert on the box make a
very striking turnout occasionally they are
driven four-ln-hand. Two other stalls are OCcu-
pea by Allan Arthttrs buggy team, one Ham,
bietonlan gelding and the other Black Hawk
mare. They are driven great deal, either
home but while he is at college they receive
only the necessary exercise. Allan Arthur is a
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.
MISS NELLIE's INDIAN PONY.
In one Of the remaining stalls stands the little
Indian pony which the President brought back
from his trip to the Yellowstone country last
year He has not yet made his debut, but Is
receiving course Of training at the hands of
Albert On the White Lot drive When by pa-
thence and careful training he becomes perfectly
doclle he will be driven by the Presidents
Tie thing, with reached name and banged tall
His color is what is termed in the west as
painted" or ''calico," and what the children
call 'circus"-irregularly marked with white
and brown In about equal proportions. He was
presented to the President last summer
BY sharpnose. an Arrapahoe chief The
PRESIDENTIAL party held big pow-wow with the
Indians last summer near Fort Washakie on the
Shoshone agency. and presents were exchanged.
Although the agency is held by the Shoshone
Indians there is band Of Arrapahoes on it. and
Sharpnose is their chief He gave the pony to
the President for his daughter. The pony was
taken along with company of soldiers as far as
Cheyenne, and from there shipped to Washing
ton. where he arrived early last fall
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.
EXPENSES BORNE BY THE PRESIDENT.
"a great many people think" said Col
Crook, "that the expenses of keeping the Presi-
dents hOEes are borne by the government.
Such is Not the case. The government 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.
They are practically two distinct stables. When
Albert needs feed he buys it from private
firm, while the feed for the Office horses comes
from the quartermasters department. This
has always been so, and yet Mr. Hayes was
criticised for taking bis own pair of horses to
Ohio with him."
He wasn't no good for horses no how" said
an old cOlored man who was splashng the water
in the trough that stands in the center OF the
yard. "He was in for savin' money while he was
heah, an d he done it. too
General Grant had very fine horses when he
was President, continued Col. Crook, land it
was very seldom that he was passed on the road.
He was splendid driver. President Hayes had
only four horses-a pair of grays and q pair of
bays. President Garfield had very nice turn
outs. He had one pair of bays and a gray and
black. The latter were used mostly for saddle
horses, and the boys used to ride them q great
deal"
Tho south wing Of the stables is used for the
Presiu 'nt's carriages. and in the second story
live the Waterman and his family The Presi-
dent has three carriages a landau q victoria
and a brOugham. They were all made by Brews-
ter and are very handsomely finished. Presi-
dent Arthurs cOat-Of-arms is on the doors with
the mOttO "Impee obstantia" Allan Ar
thurs Brewster trotting buggy is also in this
carriage-house The opposite wing contains the
office carriages-a coupe and q six-seated car
rage.
THE PRESIDENTS COACHMAN
Albert, the Presidents well-knOwn driver. has
acted in that capacity for Presidents Grant,
Hayes and Garfield. He is faithful servant
and thorough horseman. He is very fond Of
horses, but he dislikes reporters. If he thinks
question Is asked for newspaper 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 required the
Waterman always knows where to find him. He
Is very dark, but a fine looking man, and in his
handsome livery looks well on the box Bev-
erely Tomas, q handsome mulattO house SER
want, acts as foOtman to the President Presi-
dent Arthurs turnouts always look well and
always attract attention
Signs Of Spring.
The dude Is on the streets again,
With toOthpick shoes and dandy cane,
His muStache trimmed In proper style,
And On his face MASKING smile.
He struts the sidewalks up and down,