The morning call., 1893-04-23

oAr Shius u SLDEg lily HlOIHeE uSHu To tell
me connected with the trip of the Presi-
dental party to Washington for Jackson's
hrSt inauguration. All along the route the
crowds had been very large ami enthusiast
tic. but at Wheeling they were unusu-
ally large and General jackson shDOk
hands so many times that the next day he
had to hang his arm il a sling. When the
party was within a short distance of the
city ii was met by large crowd of citizens.
who had come out to escort it into town.
Ii there was an inaugural ball President
Jackson did not attend it because he had
lost his wife the winter before the inaug-
uraton. II was about n year after the in
auguration Of President jackson that l was
born. My mother occupied the room in
which Mrs. Harrison died. She was quite
good looking then and when she was
spoken Of II was always as the beautiful
Mrs. Donelson.
The event of my christening" continued
Mrs. Wilcox, from the stories that have
been told me, was qui'e a social one. InVi-
tatl0ns were sent to both the houses OF Con-
gress, and the Government officials and the
leading society people of Washington were
also invited. The christening was per-
formed IN the East room by Rev. M Gal
agher, Presbyterian minister, the christen-
ing party standing fronting the windows
that face the Potomac River. President
jackson and Mr.. Van Buren,, then Secretary
of state, were my godfathers. | was to be
held by MIR. Van Buren,, but when the time
came l made such a fuss that Uncle jackson
had 10 take me. My mother told me that
behaved very nicely, and when they sprin-
killed. wafer on ma | laughed aud acted as
though thought they were playing with
me-"
1 asked Mrs. Wilcox what she could re-
member Of the appearance of the White
House and about the social customs Of those
days.
We'll" she REPLIED. 81 cant remember
much. do remember, though, that there
used to be great many receptions and din
ners. There were. as rule, two dinners a
week, and once week grand reception.
President jackson was very lavish in his
entertainment. The only thing that | can
remember about the White House is the
view from the south windows of the East
room facing the river In those days there
were great many more ships in the river
than there are now, and ] liked very much
to LOOK from these windows at the river and
tho ships. Whenever | was cross or crying
| would be brought to these windows, aud |
would be quieted at once. | thought Lafay-
cite square, with its trees and flowers
and green grass, very pretty, and / enjoyed
going over there every morning with my
nurse and playmates To play mnmble-the-
peg, and every morning when | got up |
would look anxiously out of the window to
see If 1t was a clear day. The family were
very proud OF me, and at the receptions
Uncle Jackson would always present ma to
his friends with, And this is our little girl
that came 10 us IN the White House. l
grew very tired of this and one day before
the reception l asked uncle not to introduce
me in that way, but to tell them that l had
been head of my class for six weeks This
seemed TO please him very much-so much
that he repeated what l mad said to tho
company, which made me all the more
vexed.
when the building Of the Treasury De-
partment was begun, continued Mrs. VIII
cox, you know President Jackson laid the
cornerstone. Before il was laid he was
asked TO put something of his into the box
that has always laid with the corner
stone. He came TO me and remarking
that | was his most precious treasure
cut off one OF my little curls and put 1t
in the box. President jackson was always
thinking of some way by which to anus
and surprise me. One Christmas morning,
coming downstairs with large doll in my
arms, l met uncle who told me that Santa
Claus had made mistake and leftSome OF
my things under his pillow. | followed
him into his room and there under his
pillow were number of small presents for
Inc.
mot long after this an incident happened
that showed how sincere President jackson
was in his devotion TO those associated with
him. ! think that the story has never been
told. BE had as his body servant a negro
slave who had once saved his life on the
battlefield. One day this slave was taken
SICK; lie doctor was summoned and pro-
nounced the case one of smallpox, and said
that the man would have to be renewed
But uncle said that would not do, as he was
In an unn habited part of the house he could
just as.well stay there. The doctor replied that
If he stayed at the White House some one
would have 10 be in his room constantly to
administer medicine to the sick man, and
added that If some one could be in his ronm
that night ard watch him carefully he might
be brought ont of danger by the morning.
President Jackson said that he would do 1t;
and he did It, although the doctor strongly
demonstrated with him. In the morning
the man was better and he was soon well
again."
/ asked Mrs. Wilcox how many babies
had been born in the White House. Il WAS
the first baby" she said, but not the only
one. Julia Grant, daughter of Fred Grant.
was born during President Grants term,
and the children of Knox Walker, the
private secretary OF President Polk. have
been introduced to all the Presidents since
Jacks on. believe. as the first White House
baby, and they and their families have
treated me very nicely. Mrs. Harrison was
very kind to me, indeed.
Il have great many relics OF the jack
sons. which are very interesting as we'll as