Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-11-28
Virgiuia free gress.
W. W. B. GHLLAHER, Editor.
0scrlesto,on .Je6crsOn County, West Va
Nouen,5er rs. 1894.
Presidential Play.

w men IIeclutnt NIeFtiduu BOcs W MS
summer home on Buzzards Bay he takes
few short fishing trips, but beyond that
he INDUCES in no sports. 1t is when he
is living in Washington that he goes on
his more important shooting or fishing
expeditions. He usually does his gun
ming on the Potomac river and Chesa-
peake Bay. He likes duck shooting.-
His trips sometimes last week, and dur
ing part Of that time he may be inacces-
sible by mail or telegraph.
His hunting ground is substantially the
same that Benjamin Harrison used, and
constitutes what may be termed the great
presidential game preserve. 1t lies south
of Washington and takes in the Potomac
river and Chesapeake Bay to the sea-
The game includes wild ducks among
which are canvas backs quail, pheasants
and snipe, and occasionally wild turkeys.
| If president is true fisherman and will
fish with only the rod and reel, he may
20 upon the outskirts Of the presidential
preserve and find streams where trout are
tolerably numerous.
From the beginning of the government
presidents have used these grounds for
their exploits with rod and gun. Gener-
al Washington, living at Mount Vernon,
knew every inch of the land for miles up
and down the river. In his younger days
he was a thorough sportsman, but after
he became president there is no record Of
his shooting or fishing.
President Harrison was a good shot
He could undergo unusual fatigue, and
hardships, and even shot ducks from a
sink box which every sportsman knows,
is a very uncomfortable thing to do. He
never rode horseback, and for field sports
he bad no taste whatever.
When President Cleveland goes to the
seashore he does not indulge in swimming,
although some of his predecessors have
been very tolerable swimmers. John
Quincy Adams, next to Benjamin Frank
lin, was the greatest Of swimmers among
public men. In winter, when he was
President, he used to take long soli-
tary walks up Pennsylvania avenue
and around by the Capitol every morn
ing before daylight, returning to the
White Aouse just as the day was dawn
ing. In summer his walk was in the OPP
posite direction. Going above George
town. he would there undress and plunge
into the Potomac for swim.
President Arthur was about the last
president who took complete vacation.
One summer be and General Phil Sheri-
dan went out to the Yellowstone region
They camped out, hunted and fshed, and
were often hundred miles from civiliza-
ton. This however was his only pro-
longed vacation. He was, however, very
fond of taking short fishing trips. He
handled his rod we'll and loved angling
for bass and trout. Among fishing pres
dents be ranked first. When be was on
one Of his official trips in the South, a
fishing club at Louisville presented him
with beautiful rod with German silver
reel. on which were engraved La Wal
tons famous words about his love for all
3 good fishermen as a gentle, kind race Of
men. It i doubtful whether he ever re-
ceived a gift that pleased him more than
this. His predecessor, Garfield, could
shoot tolerably, but never fshed. Cen
eral Garfield was a boy in his love for
Z other sports. For some years the old
National Baseball Club boasted OF him
as one Of It's honorary members. He was
q constant attendant at the games aud
knew the players personally, and he used
to play himself sometimes when he wai
on the farm at Mentor. He was bill
: lard PLAYER also, and when he came int