The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-26
cLEvELkND'S SICK CoACKMAN
WILLIAM WILLIS STRICKEN WITH
PARALYSIS.

He Was Attending 10 HIS Duties in
the white House stable when the
Attack Came On-WilIis Formerly
the Driver of Private Secretary
Lannon'S Official Carriage and
Given His Present Position on Sec
rotary Lannon'S Recommendation.
Washington. July o5.-President Cleve-
land received sad news from Washington
to-day. His faithful colored coachman.
William Willis who has handled the RIB
bons' over four-in-hauds during the three
last Administrations was stricken with
paralysis last evening, while attending
10 his duties in the stable attached 10 the
executive mansion. Willis" as he is gem
orally known. succeeded Albert Hawkins,
who had been the coachman at the white
house for more than a score of years
During the first Cleveland administration
Willis was the driver of Private Secretary
Lamont's official carriage. and the fu-
ture Secretary Of War took a great fancy
to his stalwart black attendant. conse-
quently when 1t was determined that
Hawkins was too old TO be entrusted with
the care of the President and his family
in their drives, it did not take Col. La
mont long to recommend Willis for the
position of the Presidents coachman.
When President Harrison became the
occupant Of the white house. his prede-
cessor, during a personal conversation
about people and affairs at the executive
mansion, took particular pains 10 recon-
mend Willis for his judgment and discre-
1ion in looking after the President Of the
United States while seeking rest and rec
reation. His knowledge Of horses and
care in manipulating them made him an
invaluable man at the Presidents stable,
for he could not only present fine app
pearance on the box. but could give the
attention of a groom as well as a vet
Urinary surgeon.
In addition to being a thorough horse
man, he was familiar with Washington
and the surrounding country, so that
when the President and his family wanted
20 take a drive, they seldom gave any
directions TO Willis as to the route. He
endeavored to vary the drives so that all
of the most interesting and historical
points around the capital city were COW
cred.
When Mrs. Cleveland secured her team
of sOrrels, il was with great delight that
Willis was assigned the task of teaching
double. His discretion and fidelity was
put to many a test. but there is no in
stance of any violation of the confidence
reposed in him.
Many valuable pages Of national history
have been made in the presidential car
rage, behind Willis. but he was appar-
emily deaf and dumb TO all that was go
ing on. His attention was confined to
his team and driving cautiously, so as 10
avoid any mishap 1t was his boast that
during all of his experience as the Presi-
dents coachman, there was never an ac-
cident of any kind.
All last summer, during the Coxey ex-
citement in this vicinity, Willis carried a
revolver with him on his box. While two
policemen drove behind the president in
a buggy, Willis kept one eye on his team
and the other eye on all persons coming
toward him.
In appearance Willis is fine specimen
of black manhood, being straight as an
arrow. well developed and proportional,
standing about feet in stature When
on his box he was a typical coachman,
arrayed in the bottle green suit with red
cord trimmings which the President Of
the United States has adopted as his liv-
cry.
His recovery is doubtful, as this is said
TO be his second stroke of paralysis, and
tonight he is unconscious.