Sunday morning globe., 1901-10-13

here. as were Monroe, Jefferson, and in
fact everybody who was anybody at all.
could be found at times, taking advantage
of the good cheer and hospitality. which
was invariably dispensed at this celebrated
Tavern
In isIl when the English troops entered
the city of Washington, the residents
abandoned their homes and fed panic
stricken into the surrounding country
The men of Georgetown who were not
in that brave fght at Bladeusburg were a
handful of volunteers under Major Peters.
held the British in check until forced to re-
treat by superiority Of numbers, formed
themselves into a company of defenders.
and proceeding to the White House Tavern.
threw a barricade about the building. and
when taken into consideration, the several
pieces Of good cannon they had in their
possession, the English soldiers would
have met with rather a warm reception.
But happily for all parties the British,
seemingly satisfied with the burning of
the capitol, retreated from the city without
committing any further depredations. But
this brave little band Of heroes, with throb-
bing hearts and indignant feelings, watched
all that long, long night while the capitol
of their nation burned and the sky was
red
The tavern now could be truly said. to
have gained a national reputation Men
had been met with in out-of-the-way places
who remembered to have spent some very
pleasant evenings there.
Webster and the fierce Benton grew eio.
quent here over political matters "Davy"
Crockett tall in stature, and picturesque in
appearance, could be found here any even.
ing surrounded by a crowd Of admirers.
who were frequently convulsed with merri.
ment by his humorous backwoods stories.
Indeed, Davyn always attributed his DO.
liucal falldown to circumstances closely
connected with this hotel 1t seems that
one night while he and several friends
were coming from the capitol their attention
was attracted 70 what appeared TO be a big
fire over in Georgetown Their suspicious
were quickly confirmed by a man on horse
back, who was coming from that direction.
He further informed them that the fire was
IN the White House Tavern Eu-riedly
hailing a passing carriage the men Were
soon ON their way TO the FIRE. but the streets
at this time being little more than country
roads, their progress must have been neces-
sarily slow. Now Crockett, having urged
The driver Of the carriage to get all out of
the stecd that was in him, and. further
more he himself assisting with the whip.
the ride surely must have been am eventual
one. Sometimes the carriage would be on
one wheel sometimes on two, but iarely on
more Finally after many preliminary
crcaks, the vehicle fell apart at Green street.
precipitating the occupants out into the
mud, but Crockett being equal to the
emergency, mounted the horse with the
harness still upon him and the shafts trail.
ing, and in this ridiculous figure made his
way to the scene of the FIRE, which hap
peued TO be in some frame shanties that
stood near the tavern. Crockett from his
commanding position on the horse directed
the movements Of the fire brigade with such
good judgment the conAagration was soon
under control. Now comes the part that
led TO poor good hearted "Davy's" undoing
The next day in Congress he introduced a
bin asking for an appropriation Of a few
hundred dollars, for the relief of the suffer.
ers. This bill was passed and 'Davy" be.
came more of an idol than he had ever
been, But wait. In the course of time the
Congressional Ref0JH found IFS way into
the backwoods that sheltered "Davy's"
constituents, ,,aud here in solemn conclav..
Crockett was roundly Denounced for his
action and when the next election for Con.
gressman rolled around "Dayy' was COM
pletely showed under and all on account of
his humane efforts for the benefit of his
Georgetown friends
The old tavern continued on It's prosper
Gus career for great many years without
anything remarkable occurring 20 disturb
It's calm and serene dignity But now again
the voices of excited men are heard in
heated arguments within It's sacred halls
War has been declared on Mexico and the
patriots are holding nightly meetings at the
tavern, while voluuteercompanics of soldiers
are drilling daily upon the street outside.
Old soldiers of the Revolutionary War
and those of the war of 1879 have again
douued their uniforms, and can be seen
teaching the ethics of warfare to a crowd of
eager and enthusiastic young recruits who
are drawn up In soldier.like form before the
very portals Of the White House Tavern
And now comes the time when these young
men are called upon to leave their homes
aud march forth to do battle with foreign
country They are to leave at night and
the whole town turns out in their honor
Tables are set all about the tavern and
everyone is privileged to eat and drink to
their fullest.
Speeches are made from the little balcony
Of the old house and a brass band, stationed
opposite, plays patriotic airs; after this
there is dancing, and then comes the saddest
Of all, that Of parting with friends and the
scenes Of ones childhood The procession
now forms into line aud with the volun-
teers, occupying the position of honor,
moves solemny down High street until 1t
comes to the waters edge here the sad
good-byes are spoken, the soldiers march
aboard their vessel, and with the band play
ing upon the bank, the ship moves silently
out into the stream.
Many years have passed since this last
occurrence and the old tavern has been
steadily on the decline Newer houses have
sprung up all around calling themselves
hotels, and becoming very much insulted
if they were alluded to as taverns. Finally
after a long hard struggle the old White
House was forced to close its doors to the
public after having served them for over a
hundred years.
Il was now turned into a slave pen where
runaway negroes were confined to await
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