Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-08-12
WHITE HOUSE STORIES.
Memories of the Administrator Of
President Polk
President Pierce WINS the BON vivant
OF His Period-Some White House
Children and What Be-
came of Them.
Especial Washington letter.

For generation past we have almost
J constantly had children in the white
house. The Lincoln family, Nellie
Grant, the Hayes family, Nellie Arthur,
Molly Garfield, Benny Mckee. and the
Cleveland little girls have all contrib
uted their share to the simplicity and
domesticity of the home lives of our
presidents; and our people have looked
with pleasure and approval. upon the
mothers and children of the executive
mansion, as well as upon the men who
resided there, both as the heads of
families and as the executive head of
the nation.
Children came TO the white house,
says an elderly gentleman. during the
administration of President Polk. There
were two births at the white house.
Mai. Walker, the presidents private
secretary, came there with his wife and
two children, but at the close of Folks
administrat ton the Walkers had four
children. Mrs. Walker was Vir;Sinia
lady and assisted in the social duties of
the house, and maintained the reputa-
ton of her state for hospitality. Maj.
Walkers oldest son was fine little
fellow, about six years old. He was
pet of everyone, especially the Presi
dent. Mr.. Polk taught him how to sa-
Lutte visitors. One morning when the
family was about to breakfast, as the
president entered the room, Harry was
standing near a piece of furniture, and
when Strengthening himself prepare
tory to making his salute, bumped his
head, Instead of making the salute
he turned to see what had struck him,
with his back to the president. The
president enjoyed his discontinue and
excused the salute. The poor boy was
killed shortly after the administration
closed by being thrown from a horse.
''At all of the public receptions DUR
ing Folks administration, Gen. Hunter,
the marshal, was master of ceremonies,
and he was a fine old Virginian. It
was his custom in the winter to send
to the president occasionally a fine fat
wild goose, and nothing entered the
white house in Mr.. Folks term which
was more highly appreciated by the
president. The Marine band played
at the receptions and levees and in the
grounds. Then the band represented
no particular nationality; in fact. rep
resentatives of every nation in Europe
could be found in it. During the levees
the band would play in the hall adjoin-
ing the east room. 1t was custom of
the president to treat the band, es-
pecially when they were giving an open
air concert on the lawn, and usually
bottle each of gin, sherry, old rye
and brandy was quietly Struggled on
the stand. After the election of Presi-
dent Taylor, in 1S4S, and before his in
auguration. the latter made several
calls on Mr.. Polk. Old Zach stopped at
Wizards, and before his Inauguration
he dined with Mr.. Polk and his cab
met. Here he had an opportunity of see
ing the attendants of the house. and
Col. Bliss, Gen. Tay lor's son-in-law, sug-
gested that he make no change. Be
fore retiring from the white house AIR.
Polk introduced the attendants to his
successor, remarking of the male at
PENDANTS that he had made a democrat
of every one of them. Old Rough and
Ready answered by extending his
hand, saying: Give me your hand We
won't fall out about politics. but take
care we don't fall out about something
else
During the winter President Folks
brother was guest at the white house.
and, as he was a jolly good fellow. ne
made things lively there. keeping every
body in good humor. He was com
paratiyely a young man. at least 20
years the junior of the president, and