The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-01-04
WHITE HOUSE IDEA OF FUN.

WHITE HOUSE IDEA OF FUN.
How the Presidents Manage to Putin their
Spare Time.
From the NeW York World.
Mr.. Cleveland Is probably the most
thosoughgeiug sportsman that has ever
occupied the Presidents Office. At the
same time, the methods of huating and
fishing which he prefers are not such as
are rega,ed with the highest appreciation
by experts in the use of rod and gun.
10 does net care 10 east the fly fer trout,
but prefers 10 troll for bluefsh. Quail,
which aabrd the finest sport Ia the neigh.
bo,heod Of Washington, have never sew
cd as game for bin, success with them
requiring patient walking and great
qdickness. he has found it more ANUS
ing 10 shoot ducks from behind blind
In the Chesapeake OF to kill deer with 8
night light in the Adireodaebs, instead
of stalking them by day.
President Barison is duck hunter.
Though poor shot, he is very fond of
the sport, and he also has popped away
at these water fowl in the Chesapeake.
The ducks Of that region have been Pres
idsntisl game ever since the Government
began. Ii il probable that George
Washington bsgssd msny brace of
them. In his day csnvas.bsoks were
thick in the Potomac. Subsequent Pres.
idenh have taken shot at them. It
will be remembered that Mr.. Harrison,
three years age, mhtoek pig for coon
in the Virginia woods and killed the
animal. Unfortunately it was not wild
but an educated pig, belonging 10 col.
ored person in that vicinity, who received
payment for 1t from the club which was
entertaining the President az its guest at
the time.
Ar. Cleveland earned The reputation of
being the hardest working President that
the country has ever lad. In that re-
spect he even excelled Mr.. Harrison.
Nevertheless, during his term at the
White House he foRHd time for an ooca-
sionsl game of billiards, at which be is
quise expert. He is also particularly
good whist player and pats up strong
game of poker now and then in company
9th a few intimate friends. He does
not care mach for driving, which has
always been Mr.. Harrison's faverite
amusement. Mrs. Cleveland ueed to
attend the famous paper chases which
amused the society of Washington when
she was a bride. At the meets of the
Cross Country Club in those days secre-
saries Whitney, Bayard and Fairchild
were always present, together with youn-
ger members of the diplomatic corps, in.
cluding Dr.. Vow, of the Chinese lsga-
tion, who. to escape the fate of Absalom,
always carried the end of his que in his
pocket.
President Arthur was really scien.
tific fisherman. Sport With rod and reel
was his favorite outdoor enjoyment. On
one occasion he and Gen. Sheridan went
out TO the Yellowstone Park to fish, hunt
asd camp ont. They got away 30 far out
Of the reach of the telegraph that the
Chief Executive of the nation practically
forsook the reins of Government for
many days. If anything serious had
happened 10 require action by him, as
might very possible have occurred, 1t
would have been necessary to put scouts
on his trail 10 hunt him down. Mr..
Arthur tried his best to get some fun out
of his term Of Office, but he found it very
difficult.
Tie billiard table on which Mr.. Cleve-
land has played and will play again at
the White House was originally purchas-
ed fer President Garfield. Gen. Garfield
had the present billiard room in the base.
ment Of the Executive Mansion fitted up
for that purpose, and be played there q
great deal with ha most particular
friends, Judge Advocate General Swain
afterwards court martialled under
Arthur and suspended for alleged fraud
ulent practiees-Capt. Almon F. Rock
well and Capt. Henry G. Oorbin. Rock.
we'll was superintendent of public build
ings and grounds. Gea. Garfield liked
cards, though he never played for money.
He was fond of all Kinds of games. If
he could not get anybody to play with
him he would try solitaire. He was q
6rst-rate horseback rider and held an
honorary membership In the Washington
Base Ball Clab. Before be became Pres.
idsut he used to attend the base ball
games regularly.
President Hayes was nothing OF a
sport; in fact, it may faifly be said that
he had no amusements whatever. He
cared nothing for driving and he Was
never known to play any games. He
was socially disposed, however, and used
to receive visitors in the evenings with
Mrs. Hayes. 1t will be remembered
what a sensation was caused by Mrs.
Hayes's announcement that she would
serve no wines at state or other dinners
at the White House. This restriction
was partially compromised by the stew.
ard, who supplied at the baoquets oran'
ges filled With frozen run punch and
other stimrlants. Itwas understood that
he did this without the coanivance of
the mistress of the mansion,
Gen. Grants favorite game was Boston
BE used 10 play it great deal with Gen.
Van Vliet and Gen. Rufus Ingalls,, the
latter formerly chief quarterma masser of the
Army of the Potomac. Both of these
officers are still living and on the retired
u