Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-07-06


proved to be as faithful in that capacity |
us he had been in his more important |
position.
Everybody used to know Albert Haw-
kins, He was particularly proud and |
conspicuousiy self-conscious on inaugu-
ration days. When the bands were
playing and the troops were marching
from the white house to the capitol for
the Inauguration of president, and
back again up Pennsylvania avenue in
grand review, Albert Hawkins sat
upon his box and handled the reins,
directing the four handsome horses
which drew the barouche in which the
president and the ex-president were
seated. The thousands of men, women
and children who filed all available
space and made the welkin ring with
their cheers saw not only the two
great men as they passed by, but they
also saw the big black man who sat SO
high and looked so proud. Albert
knew this, but his eyes never turned to
the right nor to the left He watched
his horses, and made them feel the fact
that careful and slSillful driver was
directing their movements ana con-
stantly holding them in check.
As time passed by Albert Hawkins
became accustomed to pomp, parade
and panoply of war, and the number of
his friends increased. Grant, Hayes,
Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, Harrison
all of them were driven by him in proud
procession to the capitol and to the
white house. He was also the driver
for these presidents during their terms
of office; and many a state secret he
overheard while driving a president
and some statesman friend over the
hills and heights surrounding this city.
But never a word came from his lips
concerning those things which were in
voluntarily intrusted to him in conf
dence. One evening after the death of
Mr.. Blaine, however, in conversation
with longtime friend, he said: Mr..
Garfield is gone, Mr.. ConlSling is gone,
and now Mr.. Blaine is gone. l drove
President Garfield and Secretary Blaine
to the soldiers home one Sunday after
noon when the whole story of the New
York collectorship was talked over
When drew rein at the white house
that evening knew that Mr.. Robert
son was to be the collector at New
York; but l never said anything. 1t
was none of my business. 1t is none of
my business now, either. l will not
tell YOU what was said, but the CONVEX
sation was earnest and somewhat eX-
citing You know that Mr.. Conlsling re-
signed from the senate soon afterwards.
Then came an awful row, big men were
at the white house early and late. Sen
ators were sending mounted messen-
gers, answers We're being returned,
everybody was crazy except Mr.. Gar
field. Congress adjourned, and then
Mr. Garfield was shot aS the depot. His
poor wife suffered as he suffered l
often drove the carriage for her and
Miss Mollie when they were out for
an hour or two for fresh air. There
were many tears shed in my presence.
Well, then camc Mr.. Blaine's time to
run for the presidency l suppose
everybody knows how he was defeated.
But the real cause of MIR. Blainc's de-
feat dated from that Sunday afternoon
drive, for that was when the awful
row commenced"
For four years Albert was quietly at
work in the interior department, but
when Mrs. Cleveland came to Washing
ton in February, 1903, the old man
called to pay his respects. He informed
Mrs. Cleveland that he was no longer
the white house coachman, and was
lifted to the seventh heaven of delight
when that gracious and beautiful lady
snid: But you shall drive on inaugu-
= ration day, Albert, if you would like
to-" And 50 it happened that upon
Mr.. Clcvcland's second Inauguration
Albert Hawkins held the ribbons for
the last time. He is growing old, and
does not feel strong enough to fill the
responsible position. No accident ever
happened to any president nor to any
member of the executive family while
he was coachman, and he thinks that
younger, stronger hands than his
should now draw rein in that important
position.
During the carly days of his service
Albert was accustomed to driving four
horses for the presidential coach, but
lnttcrly our presidents have been less
ostentatious, and two horses have been
regarded as sufficient II was not con-
sit.esed .bad taste for President Grant