The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-30
pressed into the service for the accom-
Absolutely Pure

pressed into the service for the accom-
mediation of incoming presidents. They
were stately vehicles, but their day j:
past, and such conspicuous appoint
ments would not meet the approval OF
latter-dsy chief magistrates.
It used to be the custom to have the
inaugural coach drawn by four pranc.
ing horses, but President Harrison
when he came in, would have none OF
this. Two horses were enough to draw
him and President Cleveland to the
capitol and back again But Mr.. Har.
rison had long been familiar with OIL
cial life in Washington, and was not
dazzled by the prospect of riding before
thousands of enthusiastic citizens,
whose huzzahs would rend the air along
the entire distance of the journey.
Mr.. Cleveland at his last inaugural,
however, had the customary four-in-
hand, and in magnificent barouche.
drawn by four black horses, with two
men on the box, ran the gantlet Of ad.
miring thousands The vice president,
Mr.. Stevenson, followed in another
four-in-hand, drawn by four white
horses. The picture of these two
splendid turnouts proceeding through
the rain and sleet that fell on March 4,
1893, at a rapid trot, and the multitudes
that lined the sidewalks nine and ten
feet deep. is not easily forgotten by
those who witnessed it.
The inaugural committees furnish
the conveyances to the capitol and to
the inaugural ball, for they have in
charge arrangements for inducing the
new president into Office. After the
president assumes his Office he has his
own horses and carriages, more or less
imposing, according to his Individual
tastes in that respect.
Presidents have been very different in
their selection of conveyances for use
during their four years term. It is
doubtful if President Cleveland has
been seen upon the street behind his
foUr-inhand since last inauguration
day. He always drives with a pair,
generally red horses. President Ar
thur was the man that gloried in the
splendor of his equipage. It was no
uncommon sight for him to appear
dashing from the white house gates be-
hind his four-in-hand. President Ar
thur used to sit leisurely back in the
seat, as much at peace with the world
as an eastern prince.
President Hayes was most often seen
about the city on horseback, a mode OF
conveyance and form Of exercise that
he was very fond Of President Harri-
son enjoyed walking, and frequently
went upon the streets, minglipg with
his fellow-citizens. President Grant
did likewise, but he also liked to drive
in buggy, drawn by two of his spir-
tied horses. President Grant was
great lover of horse6esh. He had some
horses that the sultan of Tur-
key gave him, and these were quar-
tered for time on the stock farm
which Gen. Beale, one of the presidents
intimate friends, owned out in Mary
land, a few miles from Washington.
There is a police officer named West,
now living in Washington, who opcc
arrested President Grant for fast driv-
ing on Vermont avenue. The president
vas in his box buggy, and was letting
his horses out" when the officer
spied him. The chief magistrate
md former general Of all the
union army in the rebellion was
cot taken to the station house.
BE informed the officer that he was the |
but the officer said that
would make no difference. for he had |
riders not to allow such fast driving.
This did not decrease President Grants |
aspect for the officer.