Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-11-14
WHITE HOUSE STORIES.
Recollections OF an Old Attache
of the Presidents Household.

Recollections OF an Old Attache
Of the Presidents Household
During Mr.. Polk's Administration, l." said
an old attaChc OF the White House TO a
Washington Star reporter, 'f we had no
marriages we had two births there. Mrs.
Walker. the wife OF the private secretary,
MAJOR Walker, brought two children 10 the
White House and left with four. She was
a Virginia woman, and assisted IA the social
duties OF the house and maintained the
reputation OF her State for hospitality.
Major Walkers Oldest son was fine little
fellow about six years old. He was pet Of
every one, especially the President Mr..
Polk taught him how 70 salute visitors. /
remember one morning, when the family
were about 10 breakfast. AS the President
entered the room Harry was standing near
a piece of furniture and, when straighten-
ing himself preparatory to making his
salute, bumped hIs head. Instead of making
the salute he turned TO see what had struck
him. with his back TO the President The
President enjoyed his discontinue and ex-
cused the salute Tho poor boy was killed
shortly after the Administration closed by
being thrown from horse. At the recep-
tons General Hunter, the Marshal, was
master Of ceremonies, and he was fine old
Virginian. II was his custom IN the winter
20 send 10 the President occasionally fine
fat wild goose, and nothing entered the
White House in Mr. Poik's term which was
more highly appreciated by the President
The Marine Band played at the receptions
aud lcvccs and IN the grounds. = zen the
band represented no particular natl na.ity;
boz fact, representatives Of every ngrun o.
Europe could be found IN IL. Dung the
ieNo~s The band would play ia the ga,I nd-
Joining the East Room IL was "a ct i.li ot
the President 90 treat the band, c. era,'v
when they were giving an open .-r
concert on thc lawn. and usually a bottle
each Of gin. sherry, old rye and brs rs was
quietly smurglcj on The stand. a 'r tae
election of President Taylor, In l,'s. auJ
before hls inauguration. the lattCr mLlc
several calls ou Mr.. Polk Old zach topped
at Wizards, end before his inauguration
hc dmcd with Mr.. Polk nud his Cabinet.
Here he had an opportunity Of seeing the
attendants of the House, and Colonel Bliss,
General Taylor's son-n-law, suggested that
nc make no change. Before retiring from
the White House Mr.. Polk introduced the
attendants TO his successor, remarking of
the male attendants that he had made a
Democrat of every one Of them. Old Rough
and Ready answered by extending his
hand, saying. Give the your hand. We
won't fall out about politics, but take care
we dont fall out about something else
President Polk had a brother, Hon. W.
IL Polk,n said the old man. When, dur
ing the winter, he stopped at the White
House, be was the life OF the household,
and ho did much toward keeping all about
him N n good hutnor. lie was twenty
years the juEior Of the President and had
some v.'~rs before been appointed Charge
d'Ac 20 Naples. When the Mexican
war w.., IN progress some Of the opposi-
ton papers referred TO William Polk being
I'm a place OF safety instead Of being at the
front. Some Of these papers were marked
and sent him. He at once resigned and
came home raised n company OF cavalry in
Tennessee, and announced that the object
OF that company was 10 capture Santa
Anna. lie went into the Mexican war, and
his command almost succeeded in capturing
the Mexican General. his wooden leg and
chest being seized bv Major Folks troop
ers, and the General making a narrow es-
cape. Mr.. Polk served in Congress from
1851 TO 1S53 and spent much OF his time ut
the White House during his brothers. ad-
ministrauoh.'
"During the Administration Of General
Tavlor.r said the old man, g'tbere were no
children resident at the White House, but
the fatherly old soul was partial TO the
Young and IL seemed 20 me that at the re-
ccpuons and levecs he greeted more heart
/ ilv the younger people. He cared lit.le for
| the cercmonious social requirements, and
| his manner was almost too hearty for the
/ customs of the day in which he lived. odd
/ Whitley the horse he rode in Mexico, was
/ brought here from his plantation near
I Baton Rouge. The stable was then between
the White House aud the Treasury. not far
/ from where the fountain opposite the Treas
/ urv portico Is now located. Here the old
war horse was cared for, and he was al
/ lowed 70 roam the inclosure az viii The
/ animal not only had had a smell OF powder.
/ but had an ear for music, especially that OF
the drum and brass band. / have seen him
( when professions passed the house prick up
/ bis ears aRd gallcp to the railing, through
y which he would review the line. The Cen
/ eral sever lost his fondness FOR old
| Whitley ana when he walked m the iD
closure the horse wCcs,ld run up TO him, als
/ parontly impatient 10 receive s'S Generai
carcsses. The General, shortly after his in
auguration, received as present New
/ foundland dog, which had come into the
world the day the nomination had beer
made, and was called 'Zack.i This dog be
came n great pet about the house. but i
never was great lavorite with the Gen
eral The old horse and the dog. after Tho
I death OF the General, passed into the pos
session Of Captain Boyee. residing above
West Washington"
General Taylor was firm friend," con
tinucd the old mau. "and pridcd himself on
being a good judge Of human nature. re
member that a steward was wanted on hi
@niie House, aud nc asked the oldest AZ
tcrdant 10 &c, him good man. One Of tis
= force Of Wizards Hotai a German. wa
suggested by the attendant, ana be wa
seut Nd. Tho old General, ON looking In
over, did not form favorable opinion o
him. but concluded 20 give him a tr y.
1.-The attendant was called up ard askcl
sharply; l. that tho smart man you sen
forr
Yes. sir was the reply
"'Hc dcccives me II he IS said tho Pres
ident. but nc IS entitled 70 a trial, and II
give him one
"ln less than a week lguatius Ruppcri
Tor nc was The steward, bad proves 30 IN
President that hc was the right nan h
the right place. Subsequently ttc Pres
dent had him appointed 70 nlace 10 %