Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-11-11
STORIES OF OLD HICKORY
Volunteering at Fourteen to
Meet the British.
JACKSON AND DAVY CROCK EFT
HIS Opinion Of Duelling-He Rode
His Old Black Mare "Bess," But
Never Used q Vehicle.


first term. The incidents of that day
and subsequently,, and, indeed, to tn,
end OF his eveatful term of eight years
are fresh in my memory as those of ;
later date.
Washington then contained about 25,
600 inhabitants, and the city seemed
scattered all about over vast space O
country; few houses here and there
and all, or nearly all, small frames
village-like in appearance. The hotels
were few, and none of them large, Gads
by's being the only one deserving men.
ton. Wizards and the National We're
not in existence. The streets we're un-
paved and uneven, simply country roads.
There was not then @ building south of
the avenue down to the river front, save
few farmlike houses here and there.
Except the public buildings, there were
not 100 dwellings built of brick and NOR
tar. West of the White House there was
a space of mile without Il single build
ing. Near Rock Creek there was small
cluster of buildings. Until Georgetown
was reached there was almost barren
common. 1t was in Georgetown where
nearly all the wealthy, or as then called,
quality" lived. Georgetown was GER
tainy a charming little place, so delight
full to reside in, containing as it did more
lovely girls to the squire inch than any
other place in the wide world except
Baltimore. 1t was while resided here
l had so many opportunities of seeing
and making the acquaintance OF the
statesmen OF Jackson's Administration.
Not only this, but the President himself.
1t was my duty nearly every day to go
over to the city, and often to the White
House, on business matters for a large
mercantile house then on High street,
where was then engaged. I became
we'll known to the President as "Mr.
Wright's boy" but occasionally as
Mr.. Wright's "young gentleman" In
this manner learned many of the char
acteristics of the General, and many
interesting circumstances occurred that
will be remembered to the end of life
On Prospect Hill, or, as then called,
Society Hill" resided the elite Of the
district. The original owner of this de-
iightful locality was John Templemap,
President of the Union Bank, and the
grandsire of Mr.. Richard w. Templeman
OF Baltimore. Francis S. Key, author
Of "Star Spangled Banner" owned a
large residence adjoining one owned by
Raphael Semmes, whose nephew COM
manded the Alabama. Then came the
Russian Minister'S residence, Count de
Bodisco, whose wife was Mrs. Harriet
Williams, admitted to be the most beau
tiful woman living in Georgetown, but
Georgetown was then absolutely filled
to over1owing with lovely women. The
Misses Ridgely, Wright, Templeman,
Nichols, Semmes, Mason and Shoots
were all of them reigning queens of love
and beauty. In addition to the attrac-
tions OF society, Georgetown held within
its limits many of the most distinguished
men, army and navy officers, and foreign
Ambassadors as well.
The White House then, compared to
the present, was not the same building.
Then it was simply home, almost as
private and unostentatious as the hum
blest farmhouse could be. On going
there one would see nothing to indicate
that it was the Presidential Mansion"
One or two servants, and the Secretary
of the President, Major Donaldson, would
be about all the inmates to be seen. Be-
fore one could see the President it would
be necessary to look up Jenny Maher.
the Generals right bower. Jenny was
the doorkeeper, gardener, hostler, mes
senger, besides purveyor and cashier
in point of fact, Jenny looked after
everything.
On one occasion while showing the
President sample Of cutlery just i'm
ported from Sheffield, England, and
waiting for an order of the same, for use
in the White House, witnessed scene
that occurred between the President and
the renowned Davy Crockett, then a
member of Congress from Tennessee.
Crockett had asked the General for an
appointment for friend and had failed
to get it. Feeling slighted, he came up
to tell the President 30. Never in WASH
ington did two braver men meet face to
face. Crockett told the President his
opinion of him in no choice words, and
with great emotions of rage. Being
alone, the General, knowing the charac-
ter of the man, asked Crockett what
were his real Intentions, keeping his eye
on Crockett fixedly and coolly. Crockett
in a like manner said
"Nothing-nothing more than this: l
am done with you for life"
The President made no reply what
ever, but his eye followed Crockett until
he left the room.
Crockett kept his word, for at the earli-
est moment he went South and then to
Texas, where, it is we'll known, he met
his death at the Alamo, fighting in the
cause of Texas, leaving an imperishable
record of daring bravery, unexcelled any
where.
On another occasion, while at the
White House, asked the General if he
had seen the New York papers, just re-
ceived by mail. He said, "No, sir; have
you?"
replied that had just heard that the
oity OF New York was nearly burned up,
and that there was great excitement on
the Avenue about it. At once, without a
word. he reached for his hat and over.
coat. and posted off to see the Attorney
General, B. F. Butler of New York, who
was then living near by.
On another occasion Mr.. Rodgers, 9
member of Congress from the Cherokee
District, Mississippi, called to see ths
President in relation to matters concern
ing his district. The President noticed
Mr.. Rodgers awaiting an interview, ane
said:
"What can I do for you, Ell"
Mr.. Rodgers, who was half.breeo
Cherokee and chief Of the tribe, ans
wered: a,
"Look at these papers, your Excel
lency."
.sMr. Rodgers, stop, stop! Call MI