The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-08-05
WHITE HOUSE R
Memories Of the Administration of
President Polk
President Pierce Was the Bon yiyant
Of His PeriOd-Some White House
Children and What Be-
came Of Them.
Especial Washington letter.

For a generation past we nave almost
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 ouy 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 us the executive head of
the nation.
"Children came to the white house."
says an elderly gentleman, during the
administration of PresidentPolk There
were two births at the white house,
Maj. Walker, the presidents private
secretary, came there with his wife and
two children, but at the close of Folks
administration the Walkers had four
children. Mrs. Walker was a Virginia
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 a fine little
fellow, about six years old. He was a
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 prepara-
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, 1t
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 thelevces
the band would play in the hall adjoin-
ing the east room. 1t was a custom of
the president to treat the band, es-
pecially when they were giving an open
air concert on the lawn, and usually q
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
the latter made several
calls on MI. 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. Taylor's son-in-law. sug- 4
gested that he make no change. Be-
fore retiring from the white house Mr..
Polk introduced the attendants to his
successor, remnrking Of the male at
tendants that he had made a democrat
of every one of them. Old Rough and
answered by extending his
hand, saying: Give me your hind. We
won't fall out about politics, but take
we don't fall out about something
s-s@ @tI Ia w ~
During the winter President Folks
brother vas a guest at the white house,
and, as he was n jolly good fellow, he !
made things lively there, keeping every
body in good humor. He was com {
,aratively a young man, at least 20
years the junior of the president, and