Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-15

EVENING SIAK: W.
OLD TIMES IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
RecelIecsieus Of an Ola Aseachs % the
Prcstdent's Household.
PRESIDENT FOLKS FoNDSEss FOR cHILpRKN-xNTsR.
TANNING THE MARINE BAED-0KN. TAYLOR AND
MS OLD wAR HoRss-NR. PIERcRs HosPrfALrrY-
| HOW GEN. GRANT WAS PROMOTED.
"During Mr.. Folks administration. y said an old
attache OF the White House to stan reporter. ssf
we had no marriages we had two births there.
MrA Walker, the wife Of the private secretary Ma
Jor walker, brought two children to the White
House and left with four. She was Virginia wo-
man, and assisted In the social duties Of the house.
and maintained the reputation OF her state for
J hospitality. Major Walkers oldest son was q ine
little fellow, about six years old. He was pet Of
| every one, especially the President Mr.. Polk
taught him how to salute visitors. remem-
| Der one morning, when the family were
| about to breakfast As the President entered
the room Harry was standing near piece Of fur
| niture, and, when Strengthening himself prepare
tory to making his salute, bumped his head. In
stead OF making the salute he turned to see what
had struck him, with his back to the President.
The President enjoyed his discomforture and ex-
cused the salute. The poor boy was killed shortly
after the Administration closed by being thrown
| from horse. At the receptions Gen. Hunter, the
marshal was master OF ceremonies, and he was
nne old virgtnian. 1t was his custom In the
nOsnins entered the white House i G0S nj: roiHs
az Gs
band REPRESENTED no particular nationality; 10
could be found In IT, During the levees the band
would play In the hall adjoining the east room.
especially when they were giving an e opeSsr CON-
cert on the lawn and usually bottle each Of gin,
sherry Old re and brandy was quietly smuggied on
164S and before his Inauguration, the latter made
several calls on Mr. Polk. Old Zach stopped at
with Mr. Polk and his Cabinet. Here he had an
opportunity OF seeing the attendants of the house.
and Col Bliss, Gen. Taylors son-n-law, suggested
White House Mr.. POLK introduced the ATTENDANTS
10 his successor remarking OF the male attendants
na ne aad mads 81 every I've 81 Ss
hand, saying. GIVE me your hand. We won't fall
OUT about politics, but take care we don't fall out
president POLK had brother Hon. W. q.
Polk, !" said the old man. "When, during the win
ter, ne stopped at the White House, he was the
life or the household and he did much toward
keeping all about him In good humor. He was
twenty years the junior OF Inc President, and had
to Naples. When the Mexican war was in progress
some Of the opposition papers referred to VIM.
Polk being In place Of safety instead Of being at
sent him. He at once resigned ana came home,
raised company OF cavalry In tennessee, and an
nonnSed that the object Of that company was to
war and his command almost succeeded In Cap
turing the Mexican general, his wooden leg and
chest being seized by Maj Folks troopers, and the
general making narrow escape. Mr. Polk served
In Congress from 1851 10 1883, and spent much OF
his time at the White House during his brothers
Administration"
GKN. rAy1oR,s ApxrSrsrR ATOM
"During the Administration OF Gen. Taylor"
said the old man. there were no children resident
at the White House; but the fatherly old soul was
partial TO the young, and 1t seemed to me that at
the receptions and evees he greeted more heartily
the younger people. He cared little Tor the cere-
monious 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 Baton Rouge. The stable Was then between
the White House and the Treasury, not far from
where the fountain opposite the Treasury porticO
is now located. Here the Old war horse was cared
for, and he was allowed to roam ths Enclosure at
will, The Su animal not only had had smell Of
OF the drum and brass band 1 have seen
him when professions passed the house
railing, through which he Would review
the line The general never lost his fondness
for old Whitley and when he walked In the
emily impatient to receive the generals caresses
The general shortly after his Inauguration, re-
ceived as present Newfoundland dog, which
had come into the world the day the nomination
had been made, and was called Zack' This dog
became great pet about the house. but IT never
was great favorite with the general The old
horse and the dog after the death OF the general.
passed into the possession OF Capt Boyce residing
above West Washington"
JUDGE OF MEN,
General Taylor was firm friend" continued
the old man, 'and prided himself on being good
Judge OF human nature. I remember that stew.
erd was wanted at the White House and he asked
the Oldest attendant to get him good man. One
OF the force OF Wizards Hotel q German, was
The old general on looking him over, did not form
q favorable opinion Of him, but concluded to give
him a trial
The attendant was called up and asked sharply:
is that the smart man you sent fOr?'
Eyes, sir, WAS the reply.
"'He deceives me II ne is said the President:
but he is entitled 10 trial. aud I'll give him one
I'm less than week Ignatius Rupert, for he was
the steward, had proved to the President that he
was the right man In the right place. Subse-
Quently the President had him appointed to a
place in the Treasury.
Gen. Taylor term" continued the veteran. 1.-THE
only colored person about the house was the valet
who had been with him IN Mexico and whom he
brought from the plantation. The valet did lot
seem 10 be at home, and had a desire to return to
tne plantation. ne died Father suddenly and the
general had post mOrtem held, that suspicious OF
foul play might be set at rest"
PRESIDENT PIERCE's HOSPITALITY.
"Gen. Pierce could not have taken away much OF
his salary" SAID the veteran, "for he entertained
royalty. The day receptions were on Tuesdays.
the dinners Thursdays, and the levees Friday eve.
nngs. The Presidents steward was a Mr. Snow
from New Hampshire, AID under the private sec.
rotary. Mr.. Sidney Webster, he prepared great din
nerS. There was no sucn thing as stint In the
cost, nor was there useless waste. Mr. Snow
seemed TO have the knack OF knowing lust what
would please all, and as the President endeayOred
during the session to have each member OF con-
gresS at his table once In addition distinguished
Ofncers OF the Government, the tastes were varied
The President was extremely careful that non.
should be sighted, and when he met any OF his
Old-time neignoorS from his New Hampshire home
he cordially invited them TO come the house and
make their stay with him. Mr.. Snow remained
until President Buchanan came In and some tine
after.
Mr.. BUCHANAN AND THE FIRENEN
"Mr. Buchanan" continued the old attendant
''never forgot friend. While have seen the re.
ceptions given by him to distinguished people, mill
tary organizations and other societies never saw
him receive any with greater cOrdiality than he
dld the nremen. This Was particularly the case
with the rcd-shirted fraternity OF Pennsylvania
have often wondered why he seemed SO partial to
them and the key Is in the fact that In his young
days he ran with the machine, and Tor some years
was president OF the Union Fire Co., OF Lancaster
Pa, as have been told"
HOW GEN. GRANT WAS PROMOTED