The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-06
BIG men IN THE SADDLE.
Statesmen Who Stride Fiery Charg-
ers and France About the
National Capital.
Not Many Equestrian Statesmen
Under the Administration
of Harrison.
Buck TaylOr's Famous Peach and Honey
Hospitality-Morton, Lodge, and
Edmunds

The year before he went abroad Buffal'
Bill wintered his strange assortment of mel
and animals at Gen. Beal's farm, fey
miles north of Washington says the New
York Times. 1t made a pleasant objective
point for riding parties of young people
and even old people, and the hospitality o
his majesty, Buck Taylor, king of tn
cowboys, became famous. 1t is related
that certain statesman of equestrian pro
clivities called upon Taylor one Sunday
and found him entertaining number 0
young men from the city. peach ant
honey" an ambrosial mixture of peacl
brandy and golden honey, was being alb.
sorbed, and all hands were performing
feats of craftsmanship. One young fellow
anchored his livery steed and vaulted owe
him. two adventurous daredeviis wrestlet
on horseback and tore each others cloth
ing, and scratched each other, and gener
ally tousled and bruised one another. Their
"Buck" Taylor put his gigantic fran,
astride horse and begged the whole CROWD
to get him off-if they could-which Of
course they couldn't.
The statesman looked and looked. Then
cautiously letting himself down from hif
patient nag, he walked up to Taylor, and
placing his hand admiringly on his shoul-
DER said: mir. Taylor, if I were not a
United States senator would be a cow
boy
Now this senator was but a variety of an
equestrian plant that flourishes on District
of Columbia soil more freely than ON any
other. The statesman on horseback may
be met W tn on any pleasant afternoon in
the environs of Washington. He rides any
way and every way. He may take the exer-
else because his physician has ordered it
and not because he likes it or knows any
thing about it, and in this case he rides
with extreme caution, and is careful to Sc
lect very gentle horse. Such rider was
Roscoe Conklng when he was in the senate.
He rode a little sorrel horse, and both
horse and rider were equally unhappy in
appearance, and probably equally anxious
to gethome.
such is not the style of Henry Cabot
Lodge, the literary politician, who repre-
sents the Sixth Massachusetts district in
congress. He rides English fashion. short
stlrrups, feet we'll into them. body rather
STOPPING. But he rides we'll and his roam
hunter can Jump well. The story of his ar
rest at the end of paper chase some
eighteen months ago is still fresh in the
public mind. He ''played hooky' from
the house. took part in one of the most des-
perate rides Washington has ever seen, had
fail, got covered with mud, got on again
and rode to win. He finished first mana
young lady was the first person in-he re-
ceived fine ovation from the people on the
coaches and carriages that were drawn up
to see the finish, and he was promptly at
rested by deputy sergeant-at-arnls and
carried before the bar of the house, having
been ''absent without it's leave" and a call
IT the house having been ordered during
his absence.
Another statesman who can be seen upon
the road almost every day is Mr.. Justice l..
q. c. Lamar. He rides a big, strong, rack
ing bay, holds himself easily, like one who
is thoroughly accustomed to it. and appears
as much at home as if he was loating on the
Mississippi.
The vice president goes out on the road.
too, sometimes, rides we'll, and always has
good mount, generally a sleek chestnut,
with white stockings behind.
Senator Edmunds does not ride as much
as he used to, but he still keeps it up and is
not u bad figure in the saddle. but Senator
Wade Hampton, of South Carolina is an
expert, Notwithstanding the fact that he
wears cork leg. His bay mare is one of
the most nettlesome and perfect pieces of
horsefiesh in the city.
The once familiar figure of the venerable
George Bancroft is no longer to be seen in
UAc euuulcs Why year ago Ao lulsuu Ut
met with any day, proceeding slowly on his
constitutional ride, his snow-white hair and
flowing beard, his cloth cap, his wise-look-
ing spectacles. and his powerful but gentle
brown horse making picture not easily
forgotten. MIR. Bancroft is now 81 years OF
age. and his horseback days are over
As for the administration. it is not AZ
equestrian one. The vice president Is tn,
only one that trusts himself upon a horse
Neither the president nor any of the cabine
is ever seen in the saddle. In this it is
contrast to AR. Cleveland's administration
Mr.. Bayard was out on the road every day
and an excellent rider he was. too, general
taking Jog trot and not rising from tn
saddle. Secretary Whitney used to ride
big gray hunter. and was Il most expel
jumper, and Secretary Fairchild had stor
bay nag that took a hurdle very neatl,
with the secretary sitting him we'll viii
he did it.
Probably the most pi cturesque figure G
horse that has ever appeared here WI
DIR. Vow, of the Chinese legation, who HI
only recently departed. He wore all IL
colors of the rainbow, his blue blous
yellow trousers, and white slippers makir
a figure that many q skittish horse SHE'D a
He always inserted his pigtail in his poke
awise precautlon. or the tragedy OF Abs
lom might have been enacted in goir
through the woods.
Among the older riders none looks bett
on horse than John Lee Carroll, grea
grandson of Charles Carroll formerly go
ernor of Maryland and now n resident
Washington. and president of the society
the Sons of the Revolution. He rides
thoroughbred bay horse and sits his sadd
as though he was a part of 1t.
The army officer, when detailed on Was
ington duty, seldom rides. He has cnou:
of that sort of thing when he ,sst9t,o ned
the plains. and he prefers TO : he life east
on wheels or on foot. EUt the young
navy officers are apt to be caught by I
prevailing custom. and they form a consi
cradle element among the local horseme
The salt is rarely at home i'll the sadd
however. He is at sea too long and &C
out of practice. and, moreover. he is,
''built that way" But he is nothing if n
fashionable, SO he rides.
This applies to the young officers onl