St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1893-12-23
AN OLD EASTERN INN.
~ White Rear Has IN Authentle Record
81 . Hundred YcarA

An OLD EASTERN INN.
~ White Rear Has N Aatheatle Record
of = Hundeed YcarA
Houses with an authentic record Of
over q century are no longer common
In Philadelphia, and these are being
sacrificed TO convenience or expediency.
without the 1eist sentiment of rever.
/; cnce for the past. One Of the Oldest
tavcrns extant, the white Bear" on
the southwest corner of Fifth and Race
| streets, is now being renovated. Its
most distinctive feature, the marble
portico over the Fifth street entrance,
has been removed, rs it was believed TO
be unsafe.
There can be no doubt about the
antiquity of the house. On the east
front is . spout box undcr the caves,
which is Of copper. and thereon in
raised letters, as firm and sharp as II
made yestcf9aY are the letters, III.
NJ" and below is the head of Wash
ingtcn in relief, and on either side the
numbers 1884.
There were no directories of Phila.
delphia previous to White & Mac
Pherson's, in 1855, and none from that
until 1891. none in 1922, lsl3-l5-36-s7 or
"a. Up to 1880 Henry Meyers is given
rs the proprietor Of the tavern Fifth
and Race streets, and he was undoubt-
edly the builder in 1856. but 90 far. rs
the writer can learn, it was not the
"White Rear" previous TO 1870.
In old times there were extensive
stables attached to the present house,
extending south to Cresson street and
west to Hoffman's, now Clyde alley.
Henry Meyers, the landlord. was .
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 shoemaking craft, who
were united In those days for social
and convivial purposes. Meyers was
for . long time president Of the influ.
entail order. ''The 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 the
battle of Trenton or . treasure was
dug up in the yard. with the accom-
paniment Of slow music and . ghost
always in white. No such stories em.
bellish the record Of the ''Bear." but IL
has its legend nevertheless.
The late Isaac Travilla, who died in
1859, told the writer in all sincerity
that he was present ut a meeting of the
"Friepdly Society" at Meyers, in 1895.
The members were seated around the
table, when suddenly the lights went
out, each man was seized by the neck
and a glutinOus hand passed over his
face. So quick was this done TO each
one that none had . chance to resent
it. Then the lights were lit again, and
low, in the center of the table stood .
huge roll Of tripe, tied mp with twine,
Is was the old custom for the eating.
house bars. The members swabbed
out their 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 again lit,
and-'Great C@sar"-in the middle OF
the table was the diabolical roll of
tripe. The president was man Of re.
serve and he at once secured the demon
BY sitting on it.
The late Edward ID. Ingraham, IN
eminent local historian, had told the
sequel A committee was 1T once ap-
pointed and the following resolutions
adopted:
Resolved, That the attempt of the
wings and aristocrats, with their Brit
ish 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
Of 20 we solemnly pledge ourselves
TO. etc, etc" Ingraham, although
q bitter democrat, was much given to
ridlcule the enthusiasm of his associ.
ates and was accustomed to exhibit q
big roll Of wash leather At the dessi.
Gated remains Of the tripe in question.
The shoemakers met here At least
four times year and Is many Of them
were Irishmen there was lots of fun.
A barrel Of Jamaica punch was made
and, according to ono authority, SO
strong that it had to be stirred mp with
Q crowbar. as it bent all the spoons in
the house. When the fun became fast
and furious it was their custom to take
members who had not paid their dues
or were unpopular and duck them head.
foremost in the punch barrel Gotlict
Scherer, who lived on Sixth, above
Market, and was . noted maker of top
boots, generally presided st these meet.
ings. He was famous for his appetite
and admitted that he was always
hungry.
On one occasion he had invited sever
al friends to eat roast pig with him at
the Bear" He was present and wait.
ing when . violent storm came on and
the guests were delayed. Ten-iifteeu
minutes passed and Sherer could stand
Il NO longer. 30 he ordered mp the din.
nef.
'swhere's the company" asked the
waiter.
II arm der gompsnee." said the hun.
cry shoemaker - he threw himself on
the pig, and by the time the guests
came nothing was left to eat
After the death Of Henry Meyers the
place began TO decline. ~ Il was out Of
the way ofbusiness. and in 1880 came
into the management of Madam Bug.
thai. She was . German woman ol
fiue presence and variously accom-
plished. She WAS Of . good family
In Germany, but better fitted to
spend money than make il Her table
was excellent, and attracted much Gus
tom. When the centennial year ar