The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-11-01
AN OLD EASTERN INN.
The White Bear Has an Authentic Hecor,
nj Hundred Year,

The White Bear Has an Authentic Record
Of Hundred Years
Houses with an authentic record of
over century are no longer common
IN Philadelphia. and these are being
sacrificed to convenience or expediency,
without the least sentiment of rever-
ence 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, as it was believed to
be unsafe.
There can be no doubt about the
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 if
made yesterday are the letters. n.
NJ, and below is the head of Wash
ington in relief, and on either side the
rum bers 1885.
There were no directories of Phila-
delphia previous to White 4 Mae
Phersons. in 1855, and none from that
until 1871, none in 1879. lsl2-15-26-e7 or
"a. Up to 1880 Henry Meyers is given
Is the proprietor of tae tavern Fifth
and Race streets. and he was undoubt-
esly the builder in 1886, 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 Cressen street and
west to Hoffman's. now Clyde alley.
Henry Meyers, tho landlord. was .
democrat, and this was one of the fl.
vorite meeting places OF the party in
the city ward. and it was also head
quarters of the shsemaki.g craft, who
were united in those days for social
and convivial purposes Meyers was
for long time president of tho innu-
entail order, Tho Friendly Society Of
st. Tammany."
The antiquity Of any Of our old inns
is attestea, in popular belief, by two
circumstances. Either Gen. Washing
ton had slept in them just before the
battle OF Trenton or a treasure was
Dug up in the yard. with the accom-
paniment of slow music and 4 ghost
always in white Ne such stories en-
bellish the record of the Bear" but it
has its legond nevertheless.
The late Isaac Travilla. who died in
1859, told the writer in all sincerity
that he was present at a meeting of the
Friendly Society" at Meyers, in 1895.
The members were seated around the
Bile. when suddenly the lights went
eat, 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 a chance to resent
it. Then the lights were hit again, and
low, in the center of the table stood q
huge roll of tripe, tied up with Irvine,
as was the old custom for the eating.
house bars. The nenb ers swabbed
out their eyes. and in high indignation
arose. while the president seized the
beastly comsstible 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 Cesar"--in the Hiddle Of
the table was the diabolical roll Of
tripe. The president was man of re-
serve and he at eAce secured the demon
by sitting on it.
The late Edward D. Ingraham, an
eminent local historian, had told the
sequel A committee was at once ap-
pointed and tho following resolutions
adopted:
Resolved, That the attempt Of the
wings and sristoerats, 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 re we selsmnly pledge ourselves
to, etc. etc" Ingraham, although
a bitter democrat, was much given to
ridIct,le the enthusiasm Of his associ-
ates and was accustomed to exhibit a
big roll of wash leather at the dsssi-
cated remains Of the tripe in question
The shoemaksrs met here at least
four times q year and a. many of them
were Irishmen there was lots of fun.
A barrel Of Jamaica punch was made
and, according to one authority, SO
strong that it had to be stirred up with
a crowbar, as it bent all the spoons in
the house. When the fun bees me 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. Gotlieb
Scherer, who lived on Sixth, above
Market. and was noted maker Of top
boots, generally presided at these meet
nEs. He was famous for his appetite
and admitted that he was always
iungry.
On one occasion he had invited sever
Il friends to eat roast pig with him at
he Bear" He was present and wait
ng when a violent storm came on and
The guests were DELAYED. Ten-fftesn
minutes passed and Sherer could stand
t no longer, 50 he ordered up the din
Ter
Where's the company" asked the /
waiter.
II am der gompsnee." said the hun
Ery shoemaker as he threw himself on
he pig, and By the time the gusstx
anne nothing was left 10 eat
After the death Of Henry Meyers the /
,laee began 10 decline, as il was out Of
he way ofbusiness, and in 1889 came
ato the nagement OF Madam Bug
hal. She was German woman of
inc presence and variously accom-
,lished She was OF a good family
n Germany, but better fitted 10
pend money than make IL Her table
vas excellent and attracted mnch Gus
ora When the centennial year ar