Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-08-29

very much as II was 100 years ago. II
was for many years the principal nm
and tavern OF the historical town anl
had for it's customers ~old Ironsides
Stewart the father Of Mrs. Parnell.
Prince Murat. Joseph Bonaparie,
Tom" Paine. Francis Hopkinson. the
signer OF the declaration OF independ-
ence, and scores OF men known 20 both
state and national history. The exact
age OF the present building Is not
known. II is a matter OF tradition
that II is 40 years at least and is the
natural successor of the first inn ever
established In the town.
One OF the early bonifaees was Jcs-
eph Richards. who kept the Washing
ton inn In 1872 II was at its little low
counter that Prince Murat. the French
spendthrift. whose father was king Of
Sicily. and who afterward became one
OF the marshais OF the empire Of
France. spent his leisure time throwing
dice with the citizens and even the
farm hands. He was an inyeterate
gambler, frequently without change TO
pay his score. and did not hesitate.
when he needed his gin. to shake the
bones with the hostler. II Is matter
OF record that here he ran heavy ac-
count, which at intervals he would
liquidate when there was remittance,
but the last chalking on the slate was
not obliterated by coin but by time.
The inn was the Pewter Platter" OF
the town. Here the local celebrities.
and not few OF them without literary
bent. gathered night after night TO
drink their punch Prominent among
them was Tom" Paine. who spent a
part OF his time in the town, where he
owned some property and did consider
able writing. He makes reference In
letter to a lady: II had rather see my
horse. Button, eating the grass of Bor-
dentown or Morrisania than see all the
pomp and show Of Europe"
He owned the property on,the corner
of Farnsworth avenue and church
street. His home Is now the site of a
female college. Tradition hands him
down as slovenly man. who was al
ways inviting bath. He spent his
early days lettering about the town. his
early evenings drinking brandy and
burned considerable OF the midnigh.
oil.
His principal amusement was play
ing violin. II was not 80 many years
ago that. In making some changes at
this old hotel, was found In the loft a
stringless fiddle on which were the let
tiers ct. p" cut with knife and the
only way they could account for both
the instrument and the lettering was
that II was the one that Tom" Paine
used when the litterateur Of the town
became merry and that II came into the
possession OF the saloonkeeper through
Paine's failure to settle his account.
Paine had some very peculiar expert.
ences in this small town. He never goi
much further than the old Washington
inn for the reason that every door in
the place was closed against him. Col
Kirkbride. one Of the town celebrities
although a churchman. did tolerate
Paine's extreme religious views and adj.
mired him and enjoyed his company
for his general wit. But in doing So
Col. Kirkbride endangered his social
position, for II is related that one even.
ing, while strolling out with Paine. he
induced him to call upon Samuel Rog.
ers, who was Col. Kirkbride's brother.
in-law. and when presented Mr.. Roger.
refused to take Paine's hand, and the
interview, although brief. was strained
Paine was referred to by the plain towr
folks as a man In league with Beelze-
bub. There were some OF the old-fash.
Toned citizens who would not walk or
the same side Of the street with him
and children were taught to shun him
In October, 1902, Paine paid hi,
second visit to America. He wanted
to wind up his affairs in this country
and, having property in Bordentown
he paid visit there. He was the guest
for the few days he was in town OF Col
Kirkbride. Having finished his bust.
ness, he decided TO return to New York
The excitement Of his visit had spread
through all the surrounding countr,
and In every small community, in ths
country stores and tayerns. there were
Indignation meetings held, to tbinl
that the author Of The Age of Reason
should have any gronId whatever q
stand on In religious America. while IN
the vicinity OF Bordentown there wa,
much Indignation expressed and nut
terings OF disapprobation.
| 1t took more violent form wber
Col. Kirkbride drove him to Trenton
that he might take the stage to New
York. His coming was known ant
large crowds gathered about the street,
to see him. When he asked for a book
ing II was refused him for no othel
reason than that he was the notorlou,
Tom" Paine. He was In dilemma
and, while trying to extricate himself
from the awkward position. the citizen,
OF the town gathered together In {
mob. headed by band, and served no
tice on him that he must leave at once
which he did. He secured privat,
conveyance and was escorted to IN.
edge Of the city, while the band playet
The Rogu o. Ma VI" and the citizens
jeered.