The evening times., 1899-05-17
M. M'Kelfzrx DRIVES A TEAM.

h. xxSEY DRIVES A TEAM
Holds thsi5Hirs on a Trip to war.
Springs.
Hot Springs. Va, May 17.-Five miles
down loIf., deep. grass-covered ravine
Heading soushSerd from Hot Springs. Ies
q little old-fashioned health resort. named
more than = century ago. Warm Springs
George Washinkton and Thomas Jefferson
were among its early patrons. Warm
Springs was famous throughout Virginia
long before Hot Springs was populated.
Yesterday this sleepy little hamlet wai
honored by visit from the head Of the
nation. 1t is safe to say that not more
than dozen people in the entire town
knew at the time Of the Presidents stay
that real live President was within its
borders. Things run along in a don't
care-a-snap manner in the antiquated vii
lage. The residents play whist in the
morning, swap stories Of the '61-65 war
in the afternoon. and when the bell tolls
. nearly everybody Is abed.
The trip to the Springs was made In a
private carriage. President and Mrs. Nc
kinley sat In front, the President holding
the reins. while a liveried coachman with
his chin in the air sat on the rear seat.
Following the Presidential carriage came
a long canopy-topped blackboard. contain
Ing Comptroller and Mrs. Dawes. Secre-
tary CorteIyou. the Presidents physician,
and one or two invited guests.
President McKinley's high -steppers
| whirled along at pretty rapid clip. and
1t was scarcely more than a brace Of min
| utes before tho toll-gate was reached.
The carriage drew up. halted and ven-
ierable-iookiBg. spectacled Southern wo-
man came out In blue sunbonnet and q
| white apron.
President Mckinley removed his hat,
fished in his pocket and brought out the
| requisite toll-lz cents-handed 1t to the
toll collector, and was about to whip up
when the woman softly said:
Excuse me. sir, but is this the Presi-
! dent?
Yes, madam...' replied the President.
| with his most fascinating smile.
Then I'm glad to see you." she said.
putting forth her hand and blushing like
a school marin on commencement day. The
President shock her hand gently, smiled
again, bowed and drove on.
Arriving at the Springs. the party alight-
ed at the front entrance OF the old white
, framed hotel. with its wide verandas and
| bank. who has kept the place for nearly
! half century. greeted the party and led
the way through the lobby and into the
historic oaken floor ballroom, where
Washington and Jefferson are said to have
tripped the light fantastic.
The hotel blotter. containing the names
of scores OF prominent men. including
Washington and Jefferson, was exhibited
and the President left has autograph. Sin
RlilarIy enn1yRh Tho last tho hint
ter was that Of ex-President Benjamin
Harrison, yh0 was here a fortnight ago.
The moSf Interesting place visited was
the old ciHtH1sS swimming pool. Here the
hot socsdd from the earth in innu-
merable springs and is held in the pool
at depth OF six feet by thick mortar
wall. An old gray haired negro attendant.
an ex-slave. who has been on the grounds
for more than half a century, opened the
plug and the pool was quickly drained, en-
abling the party to see the hot water as
1t spouted from the springs. The clear hot
water looked very tempting but none of
the party took advantage Of 1t. although
the old darky, pleaded with the President
to take a swim.
The parry then returned to the Home
stead Hotel here in time for luncheon.
President Mckinley saw nearly everything
there was to see at Warm Springs. but he
missed half of the enjoyment OF the trip
by declining piece of hoe-cake and fried
chicken. -
Today the President will take another
spout" bath. probably the last one before
returning to Washington. Carl Hiilmann.
the masseur. continues his treatment, and
says the President is greatly improved in
health. Mrs. Mckinley, too, is benefited
by her stay here.
The President smokes four or FIVE cigars
daily.
Secretary Of the Interior Hitchcock is
expected here on Thursday. General
Smith telegraphs that he will be unable
to arrive before the President returns
Comptroller Dawes probably will go to
Washington with the Presidential party.
This morning the same party. accompa-
MED by Secretary ]. Addison Porter, who
arrived last night. visited Healing Springs,
three miles distant. Mr.. Porter has ap-
parently fully recovered from his illness.
and was heartily congratulated. John Nc
Nulta. of Illinois. receiver OF the Whisky
Trust. who testified in Washington Mon
day before the Industrial Commission, is
here to consult with Comptroller Dawes
about Chicago bank matter. Secretary
Hitchcock is expected tomorrow morning
to spend day or two with the President,
who will be back at his Office desk Mon
day.