New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
"TIM" WOODRUFF AS A BOY
HOW HE BECAME A CHUM OF PRESIDENT
LINCOLN-PICTURES OF HIS
ROYHOOD DAYS.

Perhaps nearly every newspaper reader in
New York City is familiar with the general
features of the career of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Timothy Lester Woodruff of Brooklyn. The fact
is we'll known that he was born in NeW-HaVen.
Conn on August f. 1853; that his father was
Congressman for ten years from the NeW-HaVen
district: that the Leutenant-GOvernor's parents
died when he was ten years old; that he went
to Exeter Academy. and was graduated from
Yale in 1879 and that he is a successful bust
ness man. Every cubman and Republican poll
tician in Brooklyn knows all about that, and
there is no use telling a story that many
know by heart But Tim" Woodruff as a
baby and the pet of Abraham Lincoln for
year or two is another story. and that is why
there is given to-day a collection of photographs
showing how Mr.. Woodruff looked he
growing up,
A Of the prominence of Mr.. Woodruff.
who, while chubby baby of three. enjoyed the
distinction of time after time sitting in
President Lincons lap while the War Secre-
tares discussed with the President matters OF
state will always have an interesting story to
tell to the boys and girls of America, no mat
ter whether he becomes presiding officer of the
United States Senate not
Congressman John Woodruff father of the
Lieutenant Governor, occupied rooms with his
family at WIZARDS during the Lincoln Admins
tratiOn At one time it thought best that
the President should leave the White House and
Mr.. Woodruff gave his family rooms at
Wizards to the Executive. This arrangement
upset the calculations of young Timothy to such
an extent that he raped imperiously on what
he considered his own door. and demanded ad-
mission. The first demand cautiously
granted. but the next time the door opened
more quickly, and soon the pounding of
chubby fist and the sound of baby's voice were
enough to bring the President to the door in
hurry Between the President who was sepa-
rated for the time being from his family and
young Timothy there sprang up a great friend
ship.
The story is told by an aged aunt of the
Lleutenant-GOvernor that once when he knocked
to be admitted to the Presidents room this
aunt happened to be with him. and when told
that ne might come in he said, And can my
Aunt Hattie come. too?" This request being
denied he declined to enter. and turned to her
and said: Never mind. Aunt Hattie when I'm
President I'll let you in"
This early training in politics did not cease
until his tenth year. when he lost his father
The friends of Lieutenant Governor Woodruff
who are on sufficiently intimate terms of friend
snip with him to have little quiet fun at his
expense viii. doubt. chuckIe at the picture
OF Mr.. Woodruff at the age of three No doubt
they will ask how the Lieutenant Governor can
help wearing fancy ''weskt' now and then
when they see the large black velvet diamonds
on his plaid dress when he was a baby. Again
at graduation. or shortly following it, the Lieu
acknowledgements fondness for lively contrasts
is demonstrated by his wearing the white striped
vest which was popular that time.
The picture of Mr.. Woodruff at fourteen shows
him in the uniform OF cadet at Bisbees Mill
tary School at Poughkeepsie 1t was at this
time that he met the girl who afterward became
his wife
Mr. WOodruff's friends assert that a wrong
impression with reference to his height and size
prevail among people who never have met him.
by reason Of cartoons and the familiar name of
Tim" used by his personal friends AS a mat
ter Of fact. they say. he is able almost to look
over the head Of Secretary Long, and is only a