Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-26

| day since they arrived. In fact, according
| to William-for that is the name of the
Presidents coachman-Mr. Cleveland is
| driving more than usual this winter, and
this exercise. the faithful servant believes,
has been the cause of his recent improve
ment in health.
This acquisition increases the executive
equine household to twelve inmates
Seven including the new ones, are the
pri. ate property Of Mr.. Cleveland. OF the
| other five four belong to the government,
being furnished the private secretary for
his carriage and for running executive
errands. The other belongs to Mr.. Thur
Der, who uses it almost exclusively under
the saddle. MIR. Thurber bought his horse
in Princeton, KY, from the same dealer
who furnished the new executive team.
/ The Favoritc Horses.
At the beginning of the present admins
tration Mr.. Cleveland brought with him
from New York five horses, two blood
bays and three light bays. Three Of these,
one blood ard two light are reserved for
the Xe,utive carriage, or what might he
called the coach of state.' one Of the
latter being driven substitute. The
remaining blood and light bays are known
as Mrs. Clevelands, and are usually driven
to her phaeton.
Tie new horses. according to William.
have not yet been named, but will prob
ably be chriStened by Mrs. Cleveland be-
fore very long. She has named all of the
other horses, which appear to have two
sets of appellations, one for the stable
and one for special occasions. William
| calls them by such modest names as
Frank" John" &c, and says that their
best names are so long that he has really
forgotten them.
Frank" the Presidents favorte, is the
off-horse of the executive carriage team.
He is seven-year-old light bay by Ham,
bletonian, with white points, standing six
teen and one-haIf hands, Some years ago
he trotted trial mile In 2.4O. and appears
to yet retain his youthful activity. He is
inclined to be restless, and is made to wear
a leather muzzle for he has been known to
chew both his blanket and the woodwork
of his apartment. During the writer's
visit he was turned around in his box stall
and stood glazing at his new neighbors
across the stable aisle, though sensible
that they had taken his place in the prest-
Dental eye. However, William says he is
with easy bit.
"John," the nigh horse of the execu-
tive team, is an eight-year-old light
bay, also of the Hambletonian stock and
| measuring the same as his mate. The odd
horse Is the largest in the stable, standing
seventeen hands. He is a light bay (Ham-
bletonian), with star on his face and
white points behind. Mrs. Clevelands
pair, a blood and light bay, are both
seven-yeer-olds, and measure each sixteen
and one-half hands.
The Horses Arc Kept Busy.
In his first administration the President
bought a pair Of seal brown geldings, which
were noted for their stateliness, and which,
1t Is said, were never subjected to a check
rein. Subsequent to their marriage, he
gave Mrs. Cleveland a pair of golden sor-
sells, which she frequently drove to her
phaeton, her coachman occupying q seat
behind. She has seldom been seen driving
alone during the present administration.
but generally accompanies the President in
the victoria in winter or in the surrey in
summer. When he left the White House
six years ago Mr.. Cleveland sold all of his
horses, and also Mrs. Clevelands, to the
highest bidder. One administration is gen
orally the limit of any steadily driven
horses career on the asphalt streets of
Washington.
Although the presidential teams are con-
tinually on the go, they are as we'll kept
as any in the country. The President pays
for the corn, oats and hay eaten by his
private stock, and he is said to be a very
generous feeder. Besides this he has to
pay William, buy his own carriages and
keep up the necessary repair, all Of which
makes a good-sized hole in his monthly
salary.
william is a TALL well-built colored man,
five or forty years old. He has an I'M
usually honest face, is very good-natured.
though dignified, and seems to know every
thing there Is to be learned about horses.
His full name is William Willis, and he
has worked about the executive stables
ever since the beginning of President Gar
fields administration, fourteen years ago,
when he was taken in as an assistant to
the veteran coachman, Hawkins. He drove
for Col. Lamont. while the latter was Mr..
Clevelands private secretary, and when
Hawkins was retired and given q place as
a messenger In the pension office, during
Mr.. Harrson's administration, William
succeeded to the most distinguished post
which any American coachman can fill.
He speaks to his horses as though they
were his children. He says he has driven
ever since he can remember, and that, al
though plotting some of the most spirited
teams which have traversed the streets of
the national capital, and, though so often
responsible for the lives OF many of our
highest public officials. he has never yet
met with an accident. He Is his own
veterinarian, and cures all aches and pains
with his own hand.
COachman and His Assistants.
Th> hlo bp}ldinO oripipal1v MANNED