The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-05-12
STORIES OF OLD HICKORY.
Baltimore American.

Baltimore American.
 On the 4th of March, 1929, I was one of many who witnessed the in- auguration of Andrew Jackson as president for his first term. The in- cidents of that day, and subse- quently, and indeed, to the end of his eventful term eff eight years, are fresh in my memory as those of later date.
 Washington then contained about ,O00 inhabitants, and the city seemed scattered all about over vast space of 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, Gadby's being the only one de- serving mention. Willard's and the National were not in existence. The streets were unpaved and uneven, simply country roads. There was not then building south of the avenue down to the river front, save a few farmlike houses here and there. Ex- cept the public buildings, there were not 100 dwellings built of brick and mortar. West of the White House there was a space of mile without a single building. Near Rock creek there was a small cluster of buildings. Until Georgetown was reached there was almost barren common. It was in Georgetown where nearly all the wealthy, or as then called, equality" lived. Georgetown was certainly a most charming little place, SO delight full to reside in, containing as it did more lovely girls to the square inch than any other place in the wide world except Baltimore. It was while I resided here l had 90 many oppor- tunities of seeing and making the &C., quaintance of the statesmen of Jack sons administration. Not only this, but the president himself. It was my duty nearly every day to go to the White House, on business matters for large mercantile house then on High street, where I was then en- gagged. I became well-known to the president as "Mr. Wright's boy" but occasionally as Mir. Wright's "young gentleman" In this manner learned many of the characteristics of the general, ana many interesting circum- stances occurred that will be reinem- bered 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 delightful locality was John Temple man, president of the Union bank, and the grandsire of MT. Richard W. Templeman of Baltimore. Francis s. Key, author of "Star Spangled Ban- ner," owned a large residence adjoin- ing one owned by Raphael Semmes, whose nephew commanded the "Ala- bama." Then came the Russian minis ter's residence, Count de Bodisco, whose wife was Miss Harriet Will Hams, admitted to be the most beau tiful woman living in Georgetown, but Georgetown was then absolutely filled to overfowing with lovely women. The Misses Ridgely, Wright, Templeman, Nicholls, Semmes, Mason and Shoots were all of them reigning queens of love and beauty. In addi- Georgetown held within its limits many of the most distinguished men, army and naval 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 unosten- tatious as the humblest farm- house could be. On going there one would see nothing to indicate that 1t was the Presidential Mansion" One or two servants and the secretary of the pres !dert, Major DonAldson, would be about all the inmates to be seen. Be- fore one could see the president 1t would be necessary to look mp Jemmy Maher, the generals right bower. Jemmy was the doorkecper, gardener, hostler, messenger, besides purveyor and cashier-in point of fact, Jemmy looked after every thing.
 On one occasion while showing the president sample of cutlery just im- ported from Sheffield, England, and waiting for an order of the same, for use in the White House, I witnessed