The times., 1899-05-05
TEE INVENTION OF
PLAAEED SHAD
John c. Breckinridge Discov.
cred the Eseulent.
Halcyon Days in 0lden Times at
Great Falls.
Sunday Fcnsts EnIivened by n Fid-
die Orchestra on the Banks
of the Potomac River.


Of them called the attention of the others
to the fact that at nearly every table
planked shad were being served
Il wonder" said he. ''if any of these
people who are smacking their lips over
that delicious dish know that they are in
debted for 1t to a former Vice-President
of the United States. Gen John c. Breck-
inridge. 1t was from Breckinridge that the
people of this part of the country gained
their knowledge OF how TO plank shad and
from here it has spread out to every place
where they can get hold of shad
You know in the early days of the Re-
public 1t was deemed actually essential that
the President or Vice President should
always be at the capital-no gadding on
together on Jelyl Island trips in those
days. Ii is true that jefferson, Madison,
and Monroe used to run away for few
days during their terms, but their homes
in the Old Dominion were so nearby and
they were so easy of recall that their alb
sences were apparently unnoticed, but
when Presidents were selected from more
remote sections It was the exception rather
than the rule for one to venture outside
District lines, and If he did the Vice Presi-
dent never went with him.
4 Vice Presidents Day OF.
After Breckinridge became Vice PresI-
dent he would tarry in Washington until
President Buchanan had returned from a
hurried visit to his beloved Wheatlands in
Lancaster county. Pa, at harvest time.
Then Breckinridge's good time began. But
even when Buchanan was away he would
always surreptitiously get away on Sun
days after the shading season opened. 1t
was his custom, beginning with the first
warm Sunday in April, and continuing to
fha rs,sl of IY,rA Irtx- oIn nxrIt- Hon
the picturesque road that skirts the north
bank of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
until he reached the Guard Locks. fifteen
miles up. at the Great Falls of the Poto-
mac. In the Muff- bodied carryall would
be slowed away two gallon demijohn OF
Kentucky's best, lemons. sugar mint,
large cheese. and pounds. of soda crackers.
Besides the negro driver he would at
times have friend along-most frequently
that only social intimate of Buchanan,
Gentleman Bob Magraw-and great con-
trast the two presented, for Breckenridge
was six foot in his socks broad shouldered.
straight as an Indian, with smooth-s -shaven
face and a countenance as immobile as a
craven image, except. when he chose 10
unbend: then he was -as frank and joyous
as a healthy schoolboy and a most de-
lightful companion. Magraw was dap
per. compactly built little man. the dude
of his time. with luxurious moustache
and pointed goatee, always attired in the
latest fashions, but full of good humor and
ready wit. 7fs
Fun at Great Falls.
when Breckenridge reached the falls he
would walk into the little house which
served the double dnty of keepers home
and public inn. shake hands with every
body. have a word of pleasant banter with
the landlady. hand her So gold piece by
way OF compensation for the diversion of
business from her protected to his free
| trade entertainment and then map out the
days enjoyment.
The farmers and farmhands for miles
around could be relied upon to be on hand
| TO catch the fish. The shad could not as
! water was fairly alive with them. Fifty
| or more would be taken in a short time
| While this work was going on. Breckin-
ridge, who never fished, would throw him
| self upon the grassy bank of the canal and
| listen 10 the playing of the violin by one OF
the other of two brothers named West
small farmers in the neighborhood. They
| had wonderful skill with the bow, though
| their instrument was of the crudest sort
I'm the morning the elder brother wouit
be called on to play. He was a tall. thin
rawboned man: looked like pictures of I'm
| Gle Sam. He would place the fiddle low
down on his breast in the most awkward
position, and then draw from il such rol
| licking music as was never heard beyOnt
the confines of negrodom. While he wa!
rafting Off Old Dan Tucker. None!
| Musk and kindred tunes, the negro ielt
hands. under the inspiration of the music
would cut the pigeon wing and doubl
shuttle to the great delight of Breckenridge
| he al rp ed nv a n
whisky and some small coin.
AT noon the shad would be properly
| plankei under the personal supervision o
Breckenridge and put before red-hot fire
and in few minutes the royal feast wouit
begin right where they were cooked tht
landlady supply plates. knives and forks
When the appetite was satisfied anothe
season of lounging would follow; then i
was the turn of the young West brothe
to play. He would take Up the same ole
fiddle in the most reverential manner, an'
draw the bow at full length across th
strings. Ii may have J.. IN prejudice. bu
Breckenridge used TO say that though he''
heard all the great violinists. no .uci
soul reaching, satisfying sounds were eve
made by any OF them as by that countr,
farmer. IL was hard to believe that It wa
| the same instrument that had earlier II
the day set all the heels tapping. Nov
|
The Last Rose of Summer, and Old Nir
ginny Shore would be rolled off in suci
low. swet, and sympathetic sounds tha
cot a word would be uttered by any on
of the habitually rough and boisterous men
Loved by Country Folk.
"As the sun got low in the heaven
, Breckenridge would start back to tow
after telling them all to come around tn
next Sunday The love OF these counlr
people for Breckenridge knew 70 BOUNDS
He was TO be the next President, the
said There was no one else in IL. froi
their standpoint They worshiped hi:
and he was thoughtful of them. On on
Sunday, enquiring for a face that he miss
ed and on being told that the man ma
! badly cut his leg with an ak while chop
ping wood the Vice President borrowe
n horse and rode to the humble home {
the man. carrying a bottle OF whisky,
bag of crackers. some pounds of chees
and a couple of shad. lie cheered the sui
(erer and his wife and children SO niue
. By his interest that things seemed I
4 brighten up for them right away He CAV
n the only daughter n quarter eagle gol
Y | niece. and though the family was yer
Q poor. they held on to it as a keepsake un
1 Ill after Breckinridge's nomination fc
2 President, when ! convinced them that
g wanted il for a charm and paid them fou
times its value. | got possession. an
here" said the old-timer, lis the ident
cal piece, worn little smooth perhap
S but possessing a great value for me.
. We'll. John c. Breckenridge was, &
S you all know. candidate of the Souther
e wing of the Democratic party for tt
/. Presidency in 1850. We remember the re
suit of that gigantic struggle. The see
: ton where those pleasant Sundays wei
spent in another year became a battle