The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-08-13
GRANTS WHITE MOUNTAIN RIDE.

GRANTS WHITE MOUNTAIN RIDE.
eleven Miles Over a Rough Road in
Less than an Hour.
In ST. Nicholas George B. Smith tells
of a remarkable ride once made by
Gen. Grant. from the village Of Bethle-
hem to the Profile House in the White
Mountains. The driver was Edward
Cox, and Mr.. Smith describes the ride
as follows:
When, about seven o'clock of that
calm August evening, the Presidential
party stepped out Of the Sinclair House,
General Grants trained eye, sweeping
over the team with the glance Of a con-
noisseur, at once recognized its excel
lence. Walking quickly to the drivers
side, he said to Cox, ''If you have no
objections, l will get up there with
you" "It Is pretty rough riding up
here, General" was the reply. II can
stand it If you can," said Grant, as he
climbed to the place and settled him
self. The President was dressed in
high silk hat, black suit, and long
linen duster covering as much Of his
clothing as possible. The others Of the
party adjusted themselves in the big,
heavy wagon according to their ideas
Of comfort, and all was ready. Sixteen
people were in that vehicle, including
Mr.. Cox.
The driver frightened the reins with
whist" and with a spring, in perfect
unison, the noble animals were off for
the Profile. The telegraph operator at
the st. Clair sat with his finger on the
key, looking out of the window and
watching for the moment of the start.
A message at once flashed over the
wire to the Profile House, saying that
they had gone, and the time was noted.
1t was precisely seven o'clock.
At the Profile a large company had
gathered in the Office, waiting for the
arrival. Among them were several
stage drivers, who with becoming
gravity gave various opinions, as sages
and oracles of profundity in road
knowledge, and fully discussed the
situation. 1t was known that Cox in
tended to break all records If he could;
but it was the unanimous expression
of the drivers, knowing every foot of
the road as they did, that "Ed' could
not make the drive in less than two
hours, and portion Of them thought
he had better make 1t two and half,
as the last three miles were right up
into the mountain, with steep grade
all the way into Franconia Notch. But
that he could make the eleven miles in
less than two hours was not believed
for a moment.
Those of our readers who have visit
ed this famous hotel, the Profile, will
remember Echo Lake, and the little
cannon kept there to wake the echoes.
This beautiful sheet Of water, famous
far and near for it's echoes and their
many repetitions, is about quarter Of
a mile from the hotel, and the Presi-
Dental party had to pass it to get to
the house. 1t had been arranged that
when they drove by the gunner should
fire the cannon, to announce the fact to
the house. At the hotel we were listen
ing for the signal gun, chatting, dis
cussing the event, and passing the time
as best we could, when-bang! went
the gun. The echo-maker had spoken.
We looked at the clock hanging in the
office. 1t was not believed it was the
President "It cannot be-" "Look at
the timer ''Some mistake has been
nader Such were the expressions
heard on all sides.
The proprietor hurried a bell-boy to
the lake, to ascertain why the gun was
fired before the time. But it was the
expected party. In what seemed an
incredibly short time we heard the
tramping of the flying steeds, and the
rattle of the chariot; and in another
moment they swept around the corner
of the house into plain view.
Never will forget the scene, as they
swung into the large circular space be-
fore the building. Ed Cox stood up on
the foot-board, with teeth set, eyes
blazing, and every rein drawn tight in
his hands. General Grant sat beside
him, holding his hat on with one hand,
the other grasping the seat. The eight
horses were on the rull run, with
mouths wide open, ears back fiat to
their heads, and nostrils dstended.
They were covered with sweat and
foam, yet all under perfect control of
the magician on the box. AS they
made the circle and drew up In front
of the hotel, Cox threw his weight on
the brake and stopped at once. He had
made the drive in precisely fifty-eight
minutes.