Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-24
ALL READY FOR BEN,
President Roberts Car Taken
to indianapolis
BY THE TRUSTED PORTER.
Now for the Fast Run to Washing
ton in Splendid Coach
SUPPLIED WITH EVERY COMFORT.
A Famous Cook Tells His Experiences With
Other Presidents,
BY THE TRUSTED PORTER.
SUPPLIED WITH EVERY COMFORT.
GARFIELD, ARTHUR AND CLEVELAND,

Through the kindness of Adolphus
Drury, the porter in charge, the reporters
last night had the pleasure of inspecting
the interior of the car that will be occupied
by General Harrison and bis party in their
trip from indianapolis to Washington. 1t
is the private car of President Roberts,
and has been completely re6tted on the in
side and painted on the outside at the
Altoona shops. Like all the private cars
of the Pennsylvania officials, its exterior is
plain enough and the interior is not
gorgeous, but comfortable and luxurious.
''This is not a fashy car, you see, said
Porter Drury. "It is intended for President
Roberts, and he uses it constantly. 1t lacks
nothing, however, to make man feel
happy and at home"
The car is divided up into four apart
merts in the following order, 3 kitchen,
dining room, stateroom and library. 1t is
provided with nine beds, including the one
in the stateroom. 1t is supplied with easy
chairs tables, writing desks and the para
phernalia of the kitchen is perfect. The car
is finished in hard wood, and the carvings
are intricate and costly.
THE FURNITURE
is all new and of the finest plush. The
curtains and window blinds are of the same
material finished In old gold. Here and
there scattered through the car are magnif-
cent, silver-mounted gasoline chandeliers.
The washstands are covered with mottled
marble from Georgia, and there is hot and
cold water in abundance. The stateroom is
rather small, but is furnished very nicely.
The short aisles at the ends of the car are
wide and spacious Even the observation
platform is larger than usual, and the floor
is made Of hard, oiled wood. If there is
anything in fact that this car lacks, it is be-
cause money will not buy it. He must be a
fastidious man indeed who could find fault
with the arrangement and the fittings in the
interior.
The books IN the library, unfortunately,
are not the choicest, but if Mr.. Harrison is
anxious to find out the secrets of the Penn
sylvania road be is at liberty to do so. The
collection abounds in reports of the COM
pany, and there is a sprinkling of law vol
umes among the tones. Just in front of
the writing desk is large, round mirror so
arranged that Ben can contemplate his Wis
age at pleasure.
The car started for indianapolis at IL
O'Clock last night, and will reach the
Hoosier capital about II to-day. Porter
Drury said that the train would start for
Washington at 1890 P. NJ. on Monday, and,
HE WAS SORRY TO SAY,
it would pass through Pittsburg at 8
O'Clock Tuesday morning. The train will
consist of the car described. a Pullman
coach and a combination car. President
Roberts car will be occupied by Mr.. Har-
rison and family, including Mr.. and
Mrs Mckee and the immortal kid.
The Pullman car will be used by the bal
ance of the party, and the porters. Adol-
phus Drury, as head porter and cook, will
be assisted bv Fred Richardson and John
Garnett. Drury has been with President
Roberts for years, and is an adept in the
culinary art.
''I don't know what kind of a man Mr..
Harrison is, " he said last night" but am
prepared to cook him whatever he wants.
The larder is well stocked, but if
we need anything extra, we can get
it in Indianapolis. This is famous car
1t was built in 1880, and since
then have carried all the Presidents from
Garfield down. Garfield went to Washing
ton on this car, and we took his body back
to Cleveland when he died 1 have often
made trips with Arthur and Cleveland.
This is the coach Mrs. Cleveland used in
making the tip from New York to Wash
ington when she got married. 1 have the
greatest regard for the reporters, but on that
occasion was instructed to keep mum. I
remember how persistent the boys were to
get the news without avail.
FRANK ABOUT FRANKIE.
''I think Mrs Cleveland is the sweetest
lady / ever saw. She always treated me
very nicely, and was easily pleased. She
seemed to appreciate everything you could
do for her.
''Of the Presidents have been with on
trips on this car, found Mr. Arthur the
most sociable. He liked to talk and Joke,
and was every inch a gentleman. He was
naturally polite and condescending in his
manners. He nearly always used this car
when he went to New York. Once there
was nobody else in the coach but Mr. Ar
thur and myself He had large package
of his own photographs, which be was ex-
amining. Putting his autograph on one he
gave it to me. This is the kind of man
Arthur was.
Garfield was silenton train. 1t seemed
to me he took advantage of such occasions
to do some thinking. Mr.. Cleveland is very
good-natured. He is kind in his ways and
never complains. 1t strikes me he is man
with large soul and broad sympathies."
Mr.. Drury told his story while in bed,
and the reporters stood over him LISTENING
and questioning. Another porter with a
lighted candle showed the hustlers the inte-
Tior of the car. Verify, they were polished
colored gentlemen, SO different from the
average porter Drury is a handsome fel-
low, and in features resembles Phil Sher-