The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1893-12-09
AN OLD EASTERN Inn.
EhS White Hear Has an Authentic Record
of Hundred Years.

! houses Win an authentic record q
over century are no longer common
in Philadelphia, and these are beint
sacrificed to convenience or expcdiency
without the least sentiment of rever
ence Tor the past One of the oldes
taverns extant, the ''White Bear" or
the southwest corner of Fifth and Race
streets, is now being renovated. 1t.
! most distinctive feature, the marble
! portico over the Fifth street entrance
has been removed, as it was believed tc
be unsafe.
! There can be no doubt about the
I antiquity of the house. On the east
front is a spout box under the caves,
which is of copper, and thereon in
raised letters, as firm and sharp as II
made yesterday are the letters, .'II.
| nj" and below is the head of Wash
! lngtcn in relief, and on either side the
numbers 1880.
There were no directories of Phila-
delphia previous to White & Mac
Pherson's, in 1855, and none from that
until 1901. none in 1899, 1sl2-15-26-27 or
81. Up to 1880 Henry Meyers is given
as the proprietor of the tavern Fifth
ana Race streets, and he was undoubt-
eddy the builder in 15s6, but SO far. as
the writer can learn, it was not the
white Bear previous to 1910.
In old times there were extensive
stables attached to the present house,
extending south to Cresson street and
west to Hoffmans, now Clyde alley.
Henry Meyers, the landlord. was n
democrat, and this was one of the ia
vorite meeting places of the party in
the city ward. and it was also head
quarters of the shoemalzing craft, who
were united in those days for social
and cornwall purposes. Meyers was
Tor long time president of the infiu-
entail order, ''Thc Friendly Society of
st. Tammany."
The antiquity of any of our old inns
is attested, in popular belief, by two
circumstances. Either Gen. Washing
ton had slept in them just before tho
battle OF Trenton or u treasure was
dug up in the yard, with the accom-
Paniment of slow music and a ghost
always in white. No such stories en-
beuish the record of the .s3ear," but it
has its legend nevertheless.
The late Isaac Travilla, who died in
1852 told the writer in all sincerity
that he was present at a meeting of tho
Friendly Society," at Meyers, in 1896. !
The mem berS were seated around the
table, when suddenly the lights went
and n glutinous hand passed over his
face. So quick was this done to each
one that none had a chance to resent
1T. Then the lights were lit again, and
low, in the center of the table stood a
huge roll of tripe, tied up with Irvine,
as was the old custom for the eating !
house bars. The members swabbed
out theil. eyes, and in high Indignation
arose. while the president seized the !
beastly comestible and hurled it, out !
the window.
After much wiping and swearing |
they were again seated. In an instant !
the previous performance was repeat
ed. Hastily the candles were aga in lit, |
and-''Great Cacsar'-in the middle of |
the ia bic was the diabolical roll of |
tripe. The president was 4 man of re-
serve and he at once secured the demon
by sitting on it.
The late Edward d. Ingraham, an
eminent local historian, had told the
committee was at once APP
pointed and the following resolutions
adopted:
Resolved, That the attempt of the
wings and aristocrats, with their Brit
sh allies, the foes of liberty, to de-
grade the character of American free
men by wiping their noses with tripe
has failed and sustained by the spirit
If '76 we solemnly pledge ourselves
20, ETC., etc.. Ingraham, although
bitter democrat, was much given to
the enthusiasm of his associ-
ties and was accustomed to exhibit a |
zig roll of wash leather at the dessi-
'atc6 remains of the tripe in question.
The shoemalers met here at least
our times year and rs many of them
we're 1rishmen there was lots of fun !
barrel of Jamaica punch was made
nd. according to one authority, SO
trong that it had to be stirred up with
crowbar. as it bent all the spoons in | ;
he house. When the fun became fa st
nd furious-it was their custom to take
Members who had not paid their dues :
r were unpopular and duck them lead
oremost in the punch barrel. Gotlieb
cEerer, who lived on Sixth, above
1arl1ct, and was a noted maker Of top
cots, generally presided at these meet
1gs. He was famous for his appetite
nd admitted that he was ALWAYS 4
ungry.
On one occasion he had invited sever
friends to eat roast pig with him at {
he Bear He was present and wait
ng when q violent storm came on and
he guests were delayed. Ten-fifteen {
passed and Sherer could stand Y
no longer, so he ordered up the din. G
err.
''Where's the company?'' asked the C
alter. K
81 am der gompanee." said the hun '
~ shoemaker he threw himself on | i
lie pig, and by the time the guests | S
lme nothing was left to eat. c
After the death of Henry Meyers the T
lace began to decline, as it was out of 4
he way ofbusiness, and in 1860 came O
ito the management of Madam Bug-k
la1. She was German woman of
ne presence and variously accom- "
lished. She was of good family b