Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-07-24
WITH OLD-FAsHIoNED ROD AND
LINE.
The story of the Presidents Fishing Trip
to Woodmont.

The story of the Presidents Fishing Trip
to woodmont.
The story of the Presidents recent fish
ing trip, as told by an eyewitness, is in
terestng. Leaving Washington at $3.50 p.
m. Saturday, the party reached Wood
mont, just beyond Sir Johns Run, about
six o'clock. The evening was cool and
fresh and the President said he preferred
sitting out on the veranda of the club
house and would not attempt conquest
of the black bass that night. Cigars were
produced, and the President stretched
himself out in an easy-chair, smoked and
listened to the stories told by Messrs.
Whitney, Lamar, Villas, Hillyer and La
mont. Mr.. Cleveland is good stOry-tell
er and has Il large variety always on hand,
but he did not feel disposed to exert him
self more than could be helped. One Pea
ture of the evenings conversation was
the tabooing of politics and office seekers.
Mr.. Cleveland said:
II have left politics in Washington and
am simply private citizen in the pur
suit of enjoyment" The party retired
shortly after twelve o'clock Saturday
night and arose to a nine O'Clock break
quietly in the clubhouse. The President
did not go fishing as reported. 'In fact"
Secretary Whitney said, SUNDAY was IA
repetition of Saturday night. We sat out
on the porch, enjoyed the beautiful noun
tain scenery and did just as we pleased all
day. The President enjoyed it very much,
as it was the first day since the 4th of
March that he was absolutely free from
the cares of Office"
Sunday several musical members of the
club entertained the party. Judge Hill
yer sang Hold the Fort" with great effect
nd an N 81
afternoon, it having been noised about
the country that the President was at the
clubhouse, quite number of farmers
and their families gathered about to see
how the President looked. They were shy
at first, but seeing that the President did
not look very savage, they ventered up to
the step and shook hands with him. Mr..
Cleveland received them pleasantly and
absorbed a great deal of valuable infor-
nation about the crops. Among other
things he discovered that wheat was only
about half crop and corn was pretty
fair, but not up to the average" One old
man, however, allowed IF we could have
right smart of rain soon the corn crop
would brace up"
Monday morning the President, Col.
Lamont and Marshal McMichael rose
about 80 partool of light breakfast
and started out for the river. The Presl.
dent was dressed in rough snutf-colored
suit and light felt hat to match, which
was kept from blowing away by string
fastened on the hat and connected with
the buttOnhole of his coat. He was offer
ed a reel, with all the modern applian ces
for scientific fishing, but refused them all
He finally selected a smooth reed pole
had Il line and hook attached and then
tied on Il buckshOt for Sinker.
Now am all ready" he exclaimed
holding the rod up triumphantly.
.McMchael smiled pityingly, with the
ri a
the President could not catch anything
with that.
"Wait and see," replied Mr.. Cleveland
with a twinkle in his eyes. The party
then made their way to the river and step
ped into a boat prepared for them. Boil
e smiled knowingly at each other us the.
: showed off, as much as to say a.: 1.-The ole
, man VIII want to change rods with us be
, fore long" But The prediction did no
hold good. The very moment the Presi
dent threw his line overheard with
t large bass took hold and was safely land
= ed in the boat All day long science wa
!, in hard luck. The President caught tw
to one rs many as his companions. In
/ fish seemed to recognize the old-fashione
!, rod us the Presidents and treated him az
; cordingly.
When the party left the club house the
= expected to return for Il one o'clock dinner
but ut one o'clock they were three mile
2 away and were enjoying the sport to
e much TO 90 back. y servant was sent o
: to neighboring farmhouse and room T.,
: turned with milk bread and fruit enoug
= to make substantial lunch for muc
5 larger party. After lunch the fishing wa
5 resumed and continued until evening, tn
= Presidents luck not deserving him. Tn
l. party returned to the house ahUut 81
V o'clock. The President was III the leat
: Messrs. Whitney, Villas, Lamar and oil
p ers who had not Ventured out met him o
V the porch. Mr.. Cleveland held up larg
Il string of fish for their inspection, an
4 proudly compared his with the string
Il carried by Lamont and McMichaei. Tn
t President was applauded us he came Il
= the gravelled walk leading to the clul
house, and Secretary Whitney remarke
y that he had never seen Il finer looking IL
l. of fish.