Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-08-31
PRESIDENTIAL PLAY.
Sports and Amusements of the
Nations Rulers.
Famons Game Preserve Near the
National Capitol


that he goes on his more important
shooting d fishing expeditions. II,
usually docs his cunning on the
shores OF the Potomac river and Ches-
apeake Big He likes duck shooting.
His tripseemetimes last week, and
during peb Of that time he may be
inaccessible by mail or telegraph.
His hunting ground is substantially
the same that Benjamin Harrison used.
and constitutes what may be termed
the gre residential game preserve.
1t lies b ol Washington and takes
in the Aks-asc river and Chesapeake
bay to the sea The game includes
wild ducks among which are canvas
backs), quail, pheasants and snipe, and
occasional v wild turkeys. If presi-
dent is true fisherman and will fish
with only the rod and reel, he
may 60 upon the outskirts of the
presidential preserve and find streams
where trout are tolerably numerous.
From the beginning OF the govern
ment presidents have used these
grounds for their exploits with rod and
gun. General Washington, living al
Mount Vernon, knew every inch Of
the land Tor miles up and down the
river. n bis younger days he was a
thorough sportsman, but after he be-
came president there is no record of
his shooting or fishing.
Presidcnt Harrison was good shot.
He could undergo unusual fatigue and
hardship, aud even shot ducks from a
sink box, which, as every sportsman
knows, i very uncomfortable thing
to do. He never rode horseback, and
for field sports he had no taste what
over.
Whom resident Cleveland goes to
the sep9l he does not indulge in
-tswim lASs ssslas g his prs
Sst4or Il q among inolic men.
N vItts.~%ifen he was President, he
Used to like long, solitary walks up
Pennsylvania avenue and around by
.he Capitol every morning before day
light, returning to the White House
Just as the day was dawning. In sum
mer his walk was in the opposite di-
rection Going up above George
town, he would there undress and
plunge into the Potomac for swim
President Arthur was about the last
president who took a complete vaca-
tion. One summer he and Genera
Phil Sheridan went out to the Yellow
stone region. They camped out
hunted and fished, and were often {
hundred miles from civilization. Thi
was his only prolonged vacation. He
was, however very fond of taking
short fishing trips He handled hi
rod well and loved angling for bas
and trout. Among fishing president
he ranks first. When he was on on
of his official trips in the South,
fishing club at Louisville presente
him with beautiful rod with Germa
silver reel, on which we're engrave
Iza Walton's famous words about h
love for all good fishermen as a gentle
kindyrace of men. 1t is doubtfl
whether he ever received a gift thi
pleased him more than this. His pr
decessor, Garfield, could shoot tolel
ably, but never fished. Genera GA
field was boy in his love for 9th,
sports For some years the old n
tional Baseball Club boasted of hi
as one of its honorary members. /
was constant attendant at the game
and knew the players personally, al
he used to play himself sometim
when he was on the farm at Mento
He was billiard player also, al
when he came into the White Hon
the Willard room in the basemei
which had fallen into neglect and h
not been used for several administi
tions, was renovated and a new tai
was put in. Here he used to pl
nearly every afternoon. He was
excellent horseman.
All the earlier presidents W,
horseback riders. Horseback rid
Afforded an easier way of travel
than a stage coach, for the roads W
almost universally bad, and the Goa
es we're built without much regard
the passengers comfort. Washing
was undoubtedly the best rider amC
the presidents, and he enjoyed the
ercise greatly. He had little time
indulge the taste after he bee,
general of the army, and was too
for hard riding after he retired fl
the presidency, but before that
was one of the most enthusiastic
hunters in fox-hunting country.
The gentle Madison on the OF
hand, was no sportsman. His v
were those of the student, and
lived the simple life of country
J teman without engaging in any of
sports that interested his neighb
His friend and mentor, Jefferson,
lived twenty-five miles away,