The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-02-14
OLD PHILADELPHIA INNS.
some of tho Queer Names by which The
Were Known

A stranger rambling through the by
ways and courts OF the old quarter of
Philadelphia will frequently meet with
tiny houses one and half or two stories
high, with quaint hipped roofs and check
cred fronts of glazed brick At the curbs
stand tall poles bearing oval or square
signs, swinging on rusty rods, on which
one can decipher the lineaments Of some
famous and popular general of bygone
days almost effaced by decades of rough
weather, or, as is more frequently the
case, may view with satisfaction the
standing phenomenon Of nature-a blue
lion or yellow bear. These erstwhile
inns--for such the observer will at once
know them to behave as class long
since passed away, but there are even
yet scores of the old signs scattered
throughout the city, and here and there
may be found resorts where the
painters handiwork is still the token of
good cheer to be had within the walls
OF the old tavern. The puritanical acts
of the License court have been felt by
some of the old houses, which for full
century or more were the gathering
places of convivial spirits, who will
never again meet around the fireplace.
Let us glance at the titles Of few of
these inns. Not that as rule the signs
bore any lettering, for when they were
hung the handlers of the brush were
something more than mere whitewash-
ers, and words were not necessary to
explain the meaning of the illustrations.
One of the earliest inns was the "Anchor
and Hope" in Black Horse alley, exist
ing about the beginning of the eigh-
teenth century. A quaint sign Of much
later date was adam and Eve in the
Garden" at Sixth and Berks streets
There were the immortal Blue Anchor"
where Penn landed; the BROAD Axe"
the Battle of the Kegs" perpetuating
stirring incident of the revolution;
several "Blue Bells" half dozen
Bulls Heads and as many "Rucks," {"
"Black Bears" Eagles" "Horses and
Bulls, while Butchers Arms" "Boar's
Head" BIRD in Hand" BALD Eagle, {"
Bee Hive" and BARLEY Sheaf" are a
few that may be classed under the Sec
ond letter of the alphabet.
The mention of the BRIG and Snow"
sign in Strawberry alley will convey no
significance to the average reader, but
the picture on the sign represented two
vessels, q ''snow" being small sailing
boat. AT least nine "Cross Keys" inns
fourished in Philadelphia at different
times, while the "Cock," "Crown" and
"Cock and Lion" we're favorite appella-
tions. Then there were the Canal
boat" Cork Arms" "Cordwainer's
Arms" and Crooked Billet" the latter
locally renowned gathering place on
the Delaware river. An old inn which
is still standing is the "Cat" or Spotted
Cat" on the southeast corner of Eighth
and Filbert streets, now used as a shoe
store. 1t was opened as tavern more
than one hundred and fifty years ago.
death of the Fox" dragon and
Horse" miller and White Horse
"Dolphin," Dove" Durham Boat"
"Dog and Dove" and "Death Warren"
were the titles of others, while mention
of the DARBY Ram" will bring up recol-
lections of the Glover Club in journal
istic minds.
Of course in the Quaker City, which
he so materially aided, there would
naturally be a number of Ben Frank
lin" inns. Falstaff was remembered,
while the Faithful Irishman," "Ferry-
boat" 'Four Ais" Golden Fleece, 50
Golden Swan" Golden Horse" the
"Goose and Gridiron," the "Green Tree
and George and the Dragon" afforded
entertainment for the masses.
The generals were well represented,
effigies of Washington, Harrison, Jack
son, Wayne, Montgomery and others
being displayed. The 'Hen and Chick
ens," "Half Moon," "Harp and Crown,
"Horse and Groom" Harp and Crook,
Hornet and Peacock" divided honors
with the "Hog," "Indian King" "In
dian Queen" "Jolly Tar" "Jolly
Trooper" and "Jolly Postboy." There
were three Lamb" inns, severa
''Lions," Lafayette" Lady Wash
: ington" and Louis XVI"
The 'Mason and York Arms" "Mer
!, nlsid," Minerva" "Moon and Sever
Stars" ''Noah's Ark and Napoleon
were well-known sights, while the
'Man Loaded with Mischief "a picture
: of man carrying his wife) and Meta
NORA" the latter near the Arch Stree
Theater and named after FORESTS crea
ton, were especially prominent The
= "Pewter Platter" ''Plume of Feathers.
"Penny Pot" house and Porter Bottle
, are names which bring up legends ga
i lore in the mind of the student, Will,
: the punch Bowl" still standing nea,
Broad and Diamond streets, is a hostelry
whose fame has spread far and wide.
1.-THE 'Quiet Woman" representa-
: ton of a headless female, did not eXis
long, popular opinion causing mine hos
/ to replace it. The ''Rising SUM-" Rob
q inson Crusoe," Robin Hood" Ram
Head" RED Lion" "Red Cow" ant
: Rattlesnake," with the ''Sorrel Horse,
Il 'Spread Eagle" Seven Stars" Sampson
e and Lion" Stage Wagon" Star ant
e Garter" "Strap and Block" "Sevel
Presidents" "Soldier and Sailor,
S "Three Hats" 'Three Tuns," "Thre
n Crowns" 1.-TWO Bulls" "Two-Heade
Eagle" Turks Head" "Three Joll.
Irishmen," "Tiger Hunt" "Turll an
. Galley" ''White Horse, "'White Swan,
= ''White Bear" "White Elephant" an
l. the yellow Cottage" complete a YER
d meager list of some of the old-time re
|, sorts of the Quaker city.-Chicago News
:, French Military Mistakes.
p An amusing incident happened in tn
d French war Office recently In loolSin
z. over the records it was discovered tina
5; M. Manduit, an officer, was to celebrat
r, the hundreth anniversary of his brit
g on a certain day. Orders were sent
% the garrison where Manduit was n
J. corded as being on duty to celebrate tn
day in military fashion. Upon invest
n CATION, however, it was learned tha