davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning times., 1897-03-03

still haunted by that tragedy. In the old
Ford's Theater the maniac voice of Booth
seems ever to shout, Sic semper tyrannus!'
while in the anCient-looking lowly dwell
ing-house on Tenth street, ghcs.ly throng
of sorrowing friends is gathered about the
bedside OF Abraham Lincoln, while with
out an awe struck. anxious multitude, is
olamoring for news OF the dying President.
AS a girl, Mrs. Lincoln had declared that
she intended. to be the wife of the Presi-
dent Of the United States, and refused sew
eral sutors becdCse she did not believe
them TO be endowed with the qualities that
would elevate them to this coveted position.
II was in the White House thatlittle Willie,
the idolized parent of both parents, died Of
smallpox, and So deep was the mothers
grief that she would never cross the thTesh-
old of the Green Room, where the body of
the little boz had lalnin its casket To
have a child named While was a sure pass
The morning times., 1897-03-03
Mrs NlcKinIey,s Personality.

Imagine woman of the middle height,
SAYS a recent sketch, with a clear, sweet
and firm face, lighted by great dark eyes
under level brows- Short, curling, brown
hair, clusters about n small, exquisitely
shaped head-such a head as one would
choose for a medallion. The figure IS
erect and -prOportioned. There you
have the likeness OF Mrs Mckinley. Only
in a certain paIlor of the face do you have
any indication that she is an invalid. 10
is full, rather than emaciated- And tbs
features, attractive in their entirety, bear
analysis. The eyes are that unusual shade
of blue gray that appears black under the
Iampiight The nose and the mouth are
dehcately modelled A firm little chin
completes q face that set the hearts Of
Canton's young men fluttering In the
years following the war IL the days Of
her undisputed beleship, Ida Saxton's
manner had a liveliness about it, with Jusn
a dash perhaps of coquetry There Is
still charm about it that all her friends
have felt.
The morning times., 1897-03-03

of the Presidentseems complete without the
twining arms of this little cherub about his
neck. One day the baby was naughty, and,
climbing upon his indulgent grandfather S
desk, touched in succession all its electric
bells, and in few moments every clerk
and servant in the establishment was
hurrying to answer the summons.
Every four years Congress appropriates
for the renovation of the White House, and
recently Mrs. Cleveland's taste has been
exercised in choosing the new upholster-
ing and carpets for each OF the apartments.
The cOloring of the historic parlors re-
mains the same, with the exception of the
East Room, which is now furnished in
rich golden brown, which haTmoniZes We'll
with its gilt panellIng. The handsome full
length portrait of Mrs. Harrison, presented
by the Daughters of the American Revo-
luton, has been hung in the Green Room,
and, with Characteristic modesty, Mr..
Cleveland has had his own likeness re-
moved from the Red Room and hung in the
most retired corner of the vestibule, Mr.
Harrison's picture being substituted in its
place.
The morning times., 1897-03-03
WILSON

age till several weeks after his Inaugural
ton Little Nellie Grant who stood by
her fathers side during his inaugural adj
dress grew up and was married in the
White House. Mrs. Grant dispensed the
hospitality OF the mansion with a hearty
relish, an when the young men were home
from college the tide Of family life was
full. The President himself was very
fond Of Ills horses but went out walking
every evening, and could be met on the
streets unpretentiously smoking his cigar,
or pausing in the parks To talk to the
children.
When Hayes became President his lady
made the innovation OF having TO stronger
beverage than water upon the President
table, and the large painting of Mrs
HAYES which hangs IN The Green Room rep
resents her as the advocate of Temperance,
with an ornamental urn at her side, out
OF which a jet of water is gushing. The
Presidents three Oldest sons were at col
lege, but little Scott and Fannie romped
about the historic mansion, and made it
young with childish glee.
Every association with the White House
full. The excitement OF the inaugural ball,
which was held in the new National Ma
scum, had scarcely subsided before Mrs.
Garfield was taken i'll, and as soon as she
was able to travel the President took her
and little Mollie away to Elberon. In the
absence Of the mother OF the family Mr.
Garfield and his four sons kept bachelor
bah at the Executive Mansion, and on the
D.l -, n, l,gIr
household was in a fIolicsome mood. Be
fore completing their toilet the two young
men, James and Hal, repaired to the
Presidents chamber, and James, resting
his hands on the side of the bed, said,
gayly, See here. pa, you can't do this"
and turned light sOmeTSault over him
Mr.. Garfield laughed, and, quoting some
line about the son should never outdo the
father, rose and executed the same feat
with as much agility as If he still stood
high in class of athletic sports. The tone
at breakfast was marked by the same
jovial good humor, after which carriages
drew up to the door.
1t was the Presidents intention TO ac
company his boys back to college, meeting
their mother on the way, and witness
together the commencement exercises.
Seating himself in the first carriage with
Mr.. Blaine, he drove to the Pennsylvania
depot, the young men following, in COM
pany with other members of the Cabinet
A metal star upon the floor marks the
spot where the President fell, The COM
motion which ensued was terrible. The
President is aSsassinated!' flew from lip
to lip, and reached the ears of his sons as
their carriage drew up at the depot.
With a wonderful presence of mind Hal
pressed through the crowd to his fathers
side, and kept it off from thronging him,
shouting: Back! back! give him air!'
till the police arrived to his assistance.
The country still remembers the awful
heatofthat summer, and how thephysicians'
The morning times., 1897-03-03
Presidential Timber .

JohnQuincy Adams sand James A Garfield
were probably the most eloquent OF the
Presidents. Lincoln was doubtless ths
most impressive speaker None have been
more forcibIe than Benjamin Harrison
jefferson was n Tirer scholar than any
of his SUCCESSORS. Madison was probably
the greatest constructive statesman among
the Presidents.
Van Buren, was the first President who
was not clean shaven. He wore side whis-
kers. Lincoln Wore chin whiSkers- Nc
Kinley has revived the Old, smOOth-shaven
statesman style of face In the interval
four Presidents have worn fun boards, one
a noustache and one Burnsdcs-
Lincoln and Washington We're the talless
of the Presidents, Van Buren, Grant and
Benjamin Harrison the shortest, Van Buren,
and Jacks on the Hghtest and Cleveland Is
the heaviest
The morning times., 1897-03-03
TTG IaTE. WHLTER q. GRESHRr1

created, this service having usually been
rendered pr.or to that date by the Pres
deht's son without remuneration from the
government The lighting of tie mansion
was also improved by the Introduction of
gas. Mrs. T ok was a Presbyterian Her
IeVees were characterized by grave re-
spectabiiity, refreshments were dispensed
with, and she always received seated
Mrs. POLK was one Of the four widows of
Presidents WHO received pension.
When Mrs. Taylor learned that her hus-
band was elected She exclaimed with bitter
ness that it WIS plot to deprive her
or his society and shorten his days by I'm
necessary care and responsibility :" and
it was with the utm oSt reluctance that she
Quilted her quiet l. ONE in Baton Rouge, to
live as secluded life in the CAPITAL CITY
relinquising to her young daughter, Mrs
Bliss, the honor OF being the lady of tie
White House. There was quite sensa-
tioa in Washington over the combined at
fractions of a helo President and a young
bride, better known as Miss Betty" 1t
was thought necessary to celebrate the
occasion by something unusual; so large
hold the Inaugural ball. 1t was an I'M
mense affair, and although Taylor is re-
ported to have made more blunders IN eti-
quette than any of his predecessors, his sol
dierfame cast its halo around all such errors
Those were the days of Clay, Webster and
Calhoun.
Jefferson Davis, who had eloped with the
generals daughter, was forgiven. and visit
ed the President at the White House But
Mrs. Taylor's premonition was fulfilled.
and the administration came to a sudden
close. Having been invited to be present
at the laying of the corner stone of the
W ashington Monument, the venerable
President participated in these ceremonies
with deep interest. II was a hot July day,
and on returning home he complained of
feeling very much Frustrated by the heat
He died on July 8, and the family re-
mained In the mansion only till the funeral
was over. The generals aged war horse
followed his owners body in the sad pro-
cession.
Miilard Fillmore, who succeeded Gen.
Taylor, was a very handsome man, and so
elegant in his manners that he has been
termed the american Louis Philippe y
lie was fond OF horseback riding, and would
often go miles into the couDtryunattended.
During his administration the White House
library was purchased. The first Pres-
dents father that has visited his son in
| the White House was Mr. Fillmores aged
| parent. When he appeared at one OF the
| leyees people could not believe that the
tall, erect gentleman, with hair only a
w ha
actually an octogenarian Miss Fillmore
| the accomplished young lady whose pres
ence had lent such charm to her fathers
The morning times., 1897-03-03

greatlyimpressedby thedig gnity and courtesy
OF President Andrew Johnson. Hon. Jo-
seph S. Fowler, of Tennessee, one Of the
seven Republican Senators who sacrificed
all future political prospects by voting
against the Impeachment, describes this
President as a man Of great ability, of
fearless disposition, and indomitable reso-
luton. That there was no greed for i'm
portance or wealth in any member of his
family was evidenced by Mrs. Patterson's
answer to the congratulations rendered her.
"We are plain people from the mountains
Of Tennessee she said, ''called here for
a short time by national calamity. 1
trust too much will not be expected of
u.s." The White House itself was in any
thing but an inviting condition. Soldiers
had tramped over the Brussels carpets, and
guards had slept on the sofas till all the
furniture on the first floor was worn and
soiled. In the spring of 1866 an appro-
priation of $40, 900 was made to refurnish
the mansion, and under the wise, economical
The morning times., 1897-03-03

Robert Tyler's little girl, Laetitia, and
her cousin. Robert Tyler Jones. Alice and
Tazewell, children in their teens, drew
many young friends to the mansion, who
played with them sometimes in Mrs Tyler's
sick room, but more frequently in the Red
Parlor, where the President himself would
come in and participate heartily in the old
fashioned games.
Among the entertainments OF his admin
istration was the memorable dinner given
TO Charles Dick ems and Washington Irving.
In 1874 occurred tragedy of wide
spreading influence. Mr.. Gardiner, a
wealthy gentleman of New York, had
been invited with his daughter, by Capt.
Stockton, to accompany party of the
Presidents friends to Alexandria. When
opposite the fort, returning home, it was
proposed to fire 1.-The Peacemaker' as a
salute. The Secretary of War pretended
to be nervous, and, saying: II don't like
this; believe / shall rum walked to he
other end OF the boat, and thus narrowly
The morning times., 1897-03-03

some precious article to lay in the corner
stone Of the Treasury Department Jackson
gave them copy OF the Constitution and
one OF little Mary DonelSon's curls- There
was always wine upon the Presidents Ia
BILE. Indeed, his lavish hospitality com
PEELED him at times to draw upon the pro-
ceeds of his cotton crop, and even TO sell
some valuable land in Tennessee. He had
his eccentricitics, too. The halls of the
White House rang with what have been po-
litely termed emphatic sentences" and he
enjoyed smoking a corncob pipe which he
had bored and whitfield with his own hands
He had, too, the reputation of possessing
the largest assortment OF pipes outside of
tobacco shop. The immense cheese, weigh
ing several tons, and as large as a cart
body, which was sent to him as present,
was sliced and handed around at innumera-
BILE receptions.
Our eighth President, Martin Van Bu-
rem, was considered very rich, because he
never drew his salary until the expiration
of his four years term of office when the
sum had accumulated to 100000. He
had four sons, but his wife died seven
teen yea RS before her husband rose to be the
Chief Magistrate Of the nation. Abram
Van Buren, graduated from West Point,
and distin guShed himself in the army,
being brevetted for gallantry at Churu-
busco. But John was the most brilliant
son OF any President. He was tall and
strikingly handsome, and during his visit
TO England had the honor OF dancing with
young Queen Victoria. Our romance
loving newspapers construed this event
into an attachment on the part OF Vic
toria, and limited that she wished to make
the young man prince consort. So the
nickname of Prince John clung to Mr..
Van Buren, long after he had become one
oftheIeading members of the New York bar
The first death that occurred within the
White House walls was that of William
Henry Harrison, on April 4, 1s41. The
aged veteran had borne the brunt of war,
but was unable to withstand the confine-
ment of his new dignity and the pressure
| of politicians. The funeral services were
held in the White House by the Rev. Mr.
Hawley, of the Episcopal Church, in the
presence of President Tyler, ex-President
| Adams, members of the Cabinet and foreign
ministers. The procession to the Congress
| sionaI burying ground was two miles long,
and was marshaled by mounted police car
rying white batons with black tasses.
The second death which cast it's gloom
over the mansion was that of Mrs. Tyler,
in 1912. Like patriarch of old, the new
President gathered his sons and daughters
around him at the White House. John was
his private secretary Mrs Robert Tyler
| did the hopoor rs of the establishment. Mary
| Mrs. jones' and Laetitia tMrs Semple|
came for long visits to the paternal roof
| Elizabeth was married there to Mr.. Waller,
| and twograndchildren were bornthere
The morning times., 1897-03-03

port for any person to the Presidents heart
ever afterward.
The pranks of the second son, Tad
kept the whole mansion on the alert to
prevent him from decorating the statuary
with mustaches or playing keep a lemon
ade stand for the benefit OF visitors The
President spoiled him sadly, and actr ally
stopped in the midst of his address to n
deputation of citizens TO indulge the whiin
OF Tad, who was importunng him for the
pages of his manuscript. Poor little Tad
died before he came of age, and the ONLY
member Of the family now living is Mr.
Robert Lincoln, recently Secretary Of War
In 1870, Congress granted Mrs Lincoln
a pension of $4,000, which was increased
TO $1,000 1882.
When Charles Dickens visited America
the second time and lectured in Washing
ton, he wrote to his son that he had been
The morning times., 1897-03-03
Presidential Life Lines.

William Henry Harrison was the Oldess
man to become President. He took office
at siXty-seven, and lived one month
The military heroes among the PreSi-
dents were advanced in years, Jackson
being sixty-two at the time of inaugura-
ton, and Taylor sixty-five.
John Adams, Thomas jefferson and
james Monroe died on the same date, July
4 ami James A . Garfield was shot July 2
Martin Van Buren was the longest lived
of the Presidents, reaching his eightieth
year.
The average duration OF life OF the Presi-
dentsof the United States has been seventy
two years eight monthse
The morning times., 1897-03-03
MAKING LINCOLN PREsENTABLE

Mrs. Lincoln FIXED Up the Presf-
dent-Elect. to Meet a Delegation.
In narrating when Lincoln was First
Inaugurated," in the March Ladies' Home
Journal, stephen Fiske writes interest
inglyofthe memorable journey from Spring
field Ill, to the National Capital, and tells
of Mrs. LiEcoln's efforts to have her hus-
band look preSentable when receiving q
delegation that was to greet him upon
reaching New York city.
THE train stopped writes Mr. Fiske,
land dthrough the windows immense crowds
could he seen; the cheering drowned the
blowing off steam of the locomotive.
Then Mrs. Lincoln opened her handbag and
said:
Z" abraham, must fix you up bit for
these city folks
Mr.. Lincoln gently lifted her upon the
seat before him; she parted, combed and
brushed his hair and arranged his black
necktie.
DO I look nice now, mother?'' he af-
fectionately asked.
''Well, you'll do, Abraham replied
Mrs. Lincoln, critically. So he kissed
her and lifted her down from the seat,
and turned to meet Major Wood, court
Iy and suave, and to have his hand shaken
by the other New York officials
Mr. Fiske also gave u graphic account
of Mr.. and Mrs. Lincoln's presentation
to Washington society. There were large
number of the best known of Washington's 5
society people assembled in the parlors of
the hotel where Mr.. Lincoln and his wife
were stopping nearly all moved by curiosity
to see the ''rail-splitter' President Pres
entity, from a side door that suggested a
scene on the stage, emerged the face of Mr.
Lincoln, smiling nervously; then his tail,
The morning times., 1897-03-03

thin, awkward body: then long arm,
and finally, at the end of this arm, a
dumpy, little woman. He was dressed
in new suit of shiny black that hal
been presented to him as an advertise
ment by an enterprising tailor. She was
wrapped in q white shawl. Mr.. Lincoln
looked at the fashionable assembly and
said, in his clear, distinct voice: Ladies
and gentlemen, permit me to present to
you the long and short OF the Presidency
"As he said the long he bowed; as
he said the short ne looked down at
Mrs. Lincoln and smiled. a shudder ran
through the parlors The ladies stared at
the strange couple; the gentlemen bent
their heads. That man the President of the
United States! That woman the first lady
of the land. All the etiquette of the repub-
lican court that had been established since
the days of President Washington was vio-
lated"
The morning times., 1897-03-03

pursuits. The trees on the west side of
the White House bear witness to his love
of gardening, as he planted them himself.
When Old Hickory resided in the FN""''-
tive Mansion he invited his friends with
hearty vehem"nceto to wdader al WA turoG.,.,
it's yastness. The blunt Hero OF New Or
leans never affected any airs OF state dig
nifty. Gen. Dale, of Mississippi, he hailed
Familiarity as SAM" and Mr.. Van Buren,
he nicknamed ''Matty." He strolled unos-
tentatiously through the White House
grounds for recreation andpIayed humble
peg" with his idolized adopted grandchil-
dreniu the park where the equestrian statue
of himself now stands. Mrs Jackson had
died just prior 20 the inauguration Her
niece, Mrs. Donelson, was the lady of the
mansion, and al three or her children were
born withinits historic walls. When depu-
tation waited upon the President to receive
The morning times., 1897-03-03

care OF Mrs Patterson this sum produced
a simple but elegant result Only neces-
sary changes were made, Old wall paper
was frightened by adding gilt panels and
ornaments, ,andtheinterior was pronounced
handsonler than ever. Several fine paint
iDgs of former Presidents, which were
lying in the dust of the garrett, were, by
order of Mr.. johnson, brought down, set
in new frames and place upon the
walls, as the most appropriate decoration.
1t was after the war, too, that the White
House grounds were graded, the stone
embank ment, which rose several feet
above the level of the street, removed, and
an iron fence substituted. But source
OF continual expense Is the fact that the
mansion being constructed of Virginia free
stone, exceedingly porous, thick coat of
white lead has to be applied every ten
yearsto prevent da ampness from penetrating
to the interior.
Gen. Grant was not forty-seven years OF
The morning times., 1897-03-03

year his father was elected to the Presi-
dency; he was married in the White House
to his cousin, Emily HELEN, and their
child, Mary Louisa Adams, was the first
girl born in the mansion. The President
was severely arraigned in the campaign
of 1928 for allowing his son Charles,
who acted as his private secretary, to
set up the first billiard table in the Ex-
ecutive Mansion, although the eXtrava-
gance was at the young mans personal
expense Earnest, stUdious, devout him
self, Mr. Adams found pleasure in honely
The morning times., 1897-03-03

Presidents daughter. Perceiving how
deeply interested his little girl was in her
club, the President himself would some
times be present at its annual gatherings,
and, standing at her side on the platform,
would beam down upon the sea OF happy,
childish faces, and offer a short address,
which was always highly appreciated by
rich and poor.
The day of President Harrison's lnaug-
uration was cherries one. To the super
stitious it was prognostic OF evil, which was
verified by sorrow in the family of each
member of the Cabinet, and eliminated in
the death of the lady of the White House.
Mrs. Mckee was q constant guest at the
mansion, where the celebration OF Christ
mas for the benefit of little Benjamin and
Mary Lodge was as elaborate as any child
could wish. The prettiest feature Of Mr..
Harrison's home life was his devotion TO
his grandchildren. Baby Mckee was in
separable from grandpa and no picture
The morning times., 1897-03-03
daily bulletin was read with breathless

daily bulletin was read with breathless
anxiety.
New faces are seen at the EX ecutive
Mansion hurried thither by the nation S
loss. Mr.. Arthur was Immediately sworn
in, and. being a widower, his sister, Mrs.
McElroy, came to preside over his house
hold bringing her two daughters-one a
young lady, the other little girl about
the age of the President daughter.
Nellie Arthur was a little society queen,
and gave afternoon teas, which were very
popular. She was an active member of
the Guild OF the Holy Child, charitable
organization of st. Johns Epi copal
Church, whose services her father at
tended, and she also became president of
the Christmas Club, society of school
children that arranged a Christmas tree
and dinner for the little ones of the poor.
Many children joined this club, not from
charitable motives, am sorry to say, but
for the honor OF having the badge OF mem
bership. blue ribbon, pinned on by the
The morning times., 1897-03-03

James Buchanan was born in a log house
in Pennsylvania.
The morning times., 1897-03-03

saved his life, for the gun exploded, kill
ing the Secretary of the Navy, the Secre-
tary of State, Mr.. Gardiner ana two other
gentlemen. John Tyler, jr., was escort
ing the wife Of the Secretary OF the Navy
to the cabin, and escaped the accident.
The President himself was below with
the ladies', and witnessed the fortitude
and dignity with which Miss Gardiner
bore the news OF her overw heluing SOr-
row. Admiration for her elf-control at
that hour grew to warmer alta chment,
and ended in her becoming the Presidents
bride. The second Mrs. Tyler also had
seven children. She was the first widow
of a President VINO received a pension from
the government.
During Polk's administration there were
two important innovations made in the
White House establishment. The office
of private secretary to the President was
The morning times., 1897-03-03

receptions, died soon after his retirementto
private life.
Franklin Plerce's Ieveess during his ad-
ministraton were dignified and quietly
hospitable. Mrs. Pierce always re-
ceived in the Blue Room, and did
not shrink from the duties Of her
husbands station, although her heart had
been wrung by tragic sorrow. Just two
months prior to his Inauguration their only
child had been killed in a railroad acci-
dent. The President-elect, with his wife
and little boy, were returning from Boston
to Concord, n. H., whenithe axle OF one of
the passenger coaches broke, and the train
was precipitated down a steep embank-
ment Both Mr.. and Mrs Pierce were badly
bruised, but their child was crushed to
DEATH
There is one name which is consecrated
throughout the Union notonly by its crown
of martyrdom, but by the halo OF the
emancipation act. Washingt on City is