davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16
HISTORIC CHRISTMASES
AT THE WHITE HOUSE

wIdower and when he came to Washington
In 1901 to be inaugurated chief execu-
tive. he rode horseback from his estate at
Monticello, unaccompanied by even q SER
want. He was the first President to take
the oath of Office In Washington, and the
reception at the White House that evening
was the greatest affair during his admin
istration. He had four daughters, the eld-
est. Martha, presiding at the White House
during her fathers second administration.
While Christmas had not been celebrated
to any extent during the first adminstra-
ton. Miss Martha made it exceedingly In
teresting after she became the first lady.
Christmas trees and entertainments of
every kind were arranged for the children
and in these the President would take part.
but his chief enjoyment was a bowl of
foaming eggnog prepared by the thick
Tipped Aunt Hester" the boss of the culin-
airy department, whom he had brought from
Monticello.
While James Madison served two full
terms-1SO9- 1S17-as President, he and his
beautiful wife, Dolly" did not spend all
of these in the White House, but it was
joyous Christmas each year for them
Mrs. Madison would not have it any other
way. In fact, the eight years of Madi-
sons administration were the most bril-
liant, as well as most exciting. in the his
tory Of American society. Before the Brit
ish sacked and burned the White House in
August, 1914, Mrs. Madison had for five
years shown Washington folk how to cele-
brate Christmas. 1t was the brilliant
woman's pleasure to entertain rather to
please her friends than to gain glory for
herself, and each Christmas was indeed a
joyous season for every inmate of the
White House-from the humblest servant
to the President. Mrs. Madison always in
vited many of her friends to these Christ
mas celebrations, and during the holiday
week there was always one evening set
apart for the entertainment of her little
friends, the children. After the British
soldiers interrupted the morning breakfast
at the White House and made bonfire of
the building the President took up his
residence In the noted Octagon House,
where they resided for about two years
and then moved to residence at the
corner of 10Th street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. In these two houses Mrs. Madison
continued to dispense Christmas cheer, but
on a smaller scale. No children blessed
the union OF James Madison with the widow
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16
Stage Fakes.
From the Philadelphia Bulletin.

Some variety artists over a midnight
luncheon of mashed potatoes and sausages
talked about the fakes of their art.
'Of course you know how fake lightnin'
sketchin is DONE" said a dancer. 1.-THE
sketcher is goin' to do, say, Abe Lincoln
Well, Abe is drawn In pale, invisible out
line on the blackboard, and all that needs
to be done is to draw the chalk quickly over
them faint lines.
II am an impromptu poet" said a second
artist. You call up to me from the
audience any subject you've a mind to, and
l rattle off a poem on the subject at once.
This is fake, of course. There ain't no
poet Twin could do that. The fake is work
ed in this way: have lot of stock SUBJ
Jects with poems already comprehensive
1ects like the coming election or the peek
aboo waist or the Vanderbilt Cup, and IL
you call UP such subject I'm not equal to
1 ignore you and, pretending TO be speaking
to a man In the back of the house, l say:
The coming election? Very good, sir.
Thank you. sir. Here goes:
whoever WINS hope that
WIN get the Job for which sigh
The work is light, and yet the pay
Is seven lovely plunks day.
Whoever wins, hope. begob.
get the job, get tnef job"
81 used to be fired from a cannon in my
YOUTH said an elderly man. 81 was called
Miss Claire and I wore a blond wig and
pink silk tights. OF course ii was spring
and not gunpowder that sent me fifty feet
through the air into big net. A dangerous
trick at that / once broke a leg at 1t.
This trick has altogether gone out of fash
ion. I don't believe II has been once done
In the last fifteen years"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16

had turned out millions w gran books,
steel rails an American wurrukin' men
was sad. Whin he cud stand his grief no
longer he whit to tn Prisidint about it.
''Sre,' says he. Don't call me that
says Tiddy; Taft Is listenin',' he says.
Excuse me- says Andrew, thought I
was at home. If We had a beard an was
more regal on tn waistline ye'd look like
him. Ye'er Excellency, I am gloomy these
days he says. People envy me. can
see it in their eyes. They think I am
happy. They little know he says. ''Tis
thrue I have what ought to make amy
man happy. 1 am rich, as tn wurruld
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16

secretary. assumed the duties of first lady,
and she was Jacksons niece. but he called
her daughter" and she was very fond Of
the sad-hearted man and was of great as
slstance to him in the turbulent admins
tratton. During the eight years the Presi-
dent left in the hands of ''daughter'' all
arrangements for Christmas. save that he
took upon himself the arrangements for
laying In whatever stock of wet goods he
believed needed for the proper and pa
triotfc celebration of Christmas, for he
was one of those who believed that Christ
mas was not really Christmas unless was
neard the suggestive ring of the large
ladle against the bowl mixing up the gold
and silver Of the eggs into foaming, faky
eggnog. II any one wanted to wet their
whistle with any other kind of Christmas
cheer it was forthcoming. President Jack
son did not feel himself too good to take
social nip with the employees of the White
House, while to the negroes he gave pres
ents and saw that their inner man was not
program for entertaining the ladies and
children and under her direction old
Santa made many hearts glad.
\ \
Four sons, but no daughters, aided in
making Christmas merry at the White
House during the administration Of Martin
Van Buren,. and under the direction Of
Mrs. Angelica Van Buren,. the Presidents
daughter-in-law and a protege of Mrs.
Dolly Madison. the holidays were pleasantly
passed.
There was no Christmas at the White
House for William Henry Harrison. He
lived but one short month after his IN
auguration. and his dead body was carried
back to his Ohio home. where his wife lay
dangerously ill.
Two days after the death Of President
Harrison. Vice President John Tyler came
from his Virginia home and took the oath
as President. Letitia Christian Tyler, the
Presidents first wife. and by whom there
were several children. enjoyed but one
Christmas at the White House. Mrs Tyler
died In September. 1912. and her place as
first lady was taken by the daughter-in-
law, Mrs. Robert Tyler. then by Mrs. Le-
titia Semple. the Presidents daughter,
who reigned until June. 1874. when Presi-
dent Tyler married Miss Julia Gardiner
Of New York This was the first marriage
of a President while In Office and, with the
exception of President Cleveland, has never
occurred since. Barring Christmas, 1912,
there were royal good times at the White
House during the administration of Presi-
dent Tyler. Everything was after the Vir-
ginia fashion. and that meant the best.
President Polk had no children and a new
era dawned at the White House when Mrs.
Polk became the first lady. She was not
believer in entertaining and was almost
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16

an nine. At Pannyma tn engineers an ia
maica naygurs were busy at their wurruk,
but they managed to give him hasty an
enthusiastic welcome, in spite Nv tn fact
that it had rained FIR two weeks an tn
decorations were somewhat spilled. Throw
in off his hat an coat he done a hop
skip-an' -asjump acrost tn Isthmus an
nearly stepped on tn Prisidint iv tn Ray
public iv Pannyma comm back. This great
sojer an statesman, who's right name
have forgot, but no matther, was wanst
well known in our country as wan Nv tn
most popular midgets on TIL dime museum
cirket Standin fully three feet two in his
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16

intolerant in her views Christmas was
celebrated in the simplest manner-was lit
tie more than any other day-and was in
marked contrast to previous open-handed
hospitality of the Virginia brand.
Zachary Taylor of Virginia, the hero of
the war with Mexico, spent but one Christ
mas at the White House. but that was
a pleasant one for all inmates. He believed
in good living and in extracting all the
pleasure possible out Of the holiday sea-
son. He died on July g. 1850. having been
In office little more than one year. His
eldest daughter Sarah married Senator
Jefferson Davis. afterward president Of the
southern states.
Willard Fillmore of New York, Vice Presi-
dent. did not have a happy occupany of
the White House. and each Christmas was
filled with sadness. Three weeks after his
accidental accession to the presidency his
wife passed away, and the next year his
only child. a daughter, followed the mother
Shadows and sadness went into the White
House with Franklin Pierce Three sons
died in early youth and the fourth was
killed in q railroad accident just four
months before the father was inaugurated
as President. Mrs Pierce never recovered
from the shock and was in feeble health
during her four years at the White House.
There was no happy Christmas for the
heartbroken President and his good wife.
Though OutWardiy happy man, perhaps
the most wretchedly unhappy President
was James Buhanan Of Pennsylvania,
who was bachelor because the mother
of the young lady to whom he was engaged
objected to the match and unholy false
hoods were circulated which caused the
breaking Of the engagement. The young
lady lived only short time and after
her death the mother confessed to the fact
that she had played the prominent part in
bringing about the estrangement Buchanan
said his heart was in the grave, and to his
intimate friends he confessed that he never
knew a happy moment after his sweet
hearts death. His niece, Harriet Lane,
who had been his companion while minister
to the court of st. James, became mistress
of the White House and she was fully
equal to the role. She made the bachelor
President as happy as she could and took
from his heart many heavy load Presi-
dent Buchanan's White House Christmases
were far more 1oy1Es than those of his
four predecessors; though his heart was
bowed in sorrow. he endeavored to make
those around him happy.
While the administration of Abraham
Lincoln was the most momentous In the
history of the United States, the Chief
Executive was never happier than when
Joining in the sports OF the young. and
the three Christmases at the White House
were made even the more joyous by the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16

Dorothea Payne Todd, to whom he was in
troduced by Aaron Burr, but a son by the
first husband clouded Dolly Madison's life,
infusing into her life cup ingredient
SO bitter that those aware of its presence
marveled at the smiling face with which
1t was quaffed. She smiled amid all this
sorrow, and even when the sons career of
extravaganza had impoverished her. when
stately old Montpelier estate was sold to
pay his debts, Dolly Madison smiled-the
true Christians smile, trusting In the One
whose natal day the civilized world will
soon celebrate.
French methods of cooking and serving
dinners at the White House were inaugu-
rated by Mrs. James Monroe in 1917, when
her husband became chief executive, and
along with the Christmas turkey. baked in
the "Ole Virginy" style, outlandish dishes
came into vogue
There were daughters, but no sons, and
the young ladies, Misses Eliza and Maria,
and during their fathers two terms they
entertained on an extensive scale during
the holidays, having with them at the
White House friends from Virginia and
elsewhere. AS Is now the rule in country
towns and rural districts, the whole Of
Christmas week was regarded as time
for feasting and frolic, and the two Mon
roe sisters saw that the old way was car
ried out During the Monroe administra-
ton Christmas at the White House" was
about the biggest event save the wedding
of Miss Maria Monroe to Samuel Gouver-
neur of New York. and which was the first
4 \
Although 1t is matter Of history that
in 1926. about year after John Quincy
Adams took the oath Of office as President
Congress protested against bill for BILL
lard tables for the White House, declar-
ing billiard playing a species of gambling,
and alarming to the religious, moral and
the rejecting portion of the community"
President Adams was not a spendthrift,
and 1t was a difficult matter to get him
to agree to Christmas celebrations He
believed in great simplicity. and economy
controlled every action of his life even
to wearing one hat for ten years. He was
notably the shabbiest dressed man that
ever occupied the White House. To cele-
brate Christmas after the New England
style was sufficient for him. and Santa
Claus did not cut much of figure during
the four years of Mr.. Adams administra-
ton.
Notwithstanding the fact that he was
widower Of only few months when he en-
tered the White House and calumnies had
embittered his life. President Andrew
Jackson during his two terms saw that
Christmas was celebrated after the good
old style of Tennessee. Mrs. Emily Donel-
son. whose husband was the Presidents
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16

| fact that he took a leading hand in all the
holiday festivities. When he entered the
White House he had three sons. but the
second one, William, died in 1862. Tad, y
another son, died shortly after the assaSsi-
nation of his father. Like her husband,
Mrs. Lincoln believed in giving the children
all the pleasure possible, and each Christ
mas, found a splendid Christmas tree laden
with presents not only for the boys but
for the employees of the White House, re-
CARELESS of color.
When Vice President Andrew Johnson
took the oath as President he carried with
him to the White House a beautiful wife and
three young sons. He also had among his
possessions the North Carolina and Ten
nessee way of celebrating Christmas, and
during his administration there were lively
times at the White House during the hoii-
days.
During the two terms Of President Grant
Christmas was celebrated at the White
House in the most elaborate manner. Mrs
Grant would not have thought 1t Christmas
without the Christmas tree, and the four
children were permitted to invite to the fes-
tivities just as many of their young friends
as they wished.
President and Mrs. Hayes made model
home of the White House, and the Christ
mas reunions were among the happiest
events Of the administration. There was
an absence OF Christmas cheer in liquid
form, OUT nOtnlnS else was lacking from
the holiday bill of fare to make the occa
sion entirely pleasant to inmates and
friends.
James A. Garfield, the second President
to die at the hands of an assassin did not
live to spend Christmas at the White
House.
Two children, boy and a girl, went with
their bereaved father, Chester A. Arthur.
to the White House when he became chief
executive after the death Of President Gar
field. During Arthurs administration near
ly every day was a holiday at the White
House, but extra good times were ushered
in during Christmas President Arthur was
an exceptionally liberal man, and Santa
Claus had about all he could do in deliver
ing presents.
AS a bachelor President, Grover Cleve
land spent but one-Christmas at the White
House, and this Christmas amounted to but
little However. before the next yuletide
the beautiful Frances Folsom had become
the wife Of the President and mistress of
the White House, and then Christmas be-
came really Christmas. During both of
Mr. Cleveland's administrations Santa Claus
never failed to do his full duty. and espe-
cially after the baby came. The President
was not much of a make-merry man, but
the fair young wife scattered the sweetest
Of Christmas cheer to all.
The death in 1892 of Mrs. Caroline Harri-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16

seldom hear iv him. Whether
tits old age creepin' on-he must be all iv
twinty- four-or TIL responsibilities iv tn
office don't know, but he's kind Nv Quilted
down Now, we take last week. With tn
exception iv bouncin' a few Indispensable
cabinet officers, invitin' a battleship, writ
In an article on tn sports iv tn ancient
Greeks, lecturin' tn Presbyterian Church
on infant damnation. refereein a pokef.
bet between wan Nv his old companyons in
arms an tn estate iv another, describin'
TIL delights " ocean thrayel to tn navy,
passin' out a bunch Nv lagal tips to tn Su
preem Coort, divisin' a tackles back play
FIR football. an sindin' a recipe fr pre-
parin' pie plant FIR tn table to tn Ladies'
Cookin' Club iv Omaha, we might say he
hardly done anything last week.
Maybe tn poor man is Sick" said Mr..
Hennessy.
''Divvle tn bit. He's not tn kind that
gets sick, an tn PRESIDENCY is wan iv tn
healthiest jobs in tn wurruld. No wan
was liver ilicted to it that was even sus-
pected iv a slight cough They go in
Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-10-17

been a long while in caucus trying to
decide on candidates who, If nomi-
mated, would win, and we have come
to the conclusion that the strongest
candidate for mayor is Albert Boil
schweiler, and that he is the strong
est candidate the city can present.
This was greeted with applause, as
were the nominations which follow
ed. There was no opposition to any
of the nominations, as the slate had
been fully settled in the caucus.
William A. Growney was then nom
mated for comptroller.
In nominating John G.. Garretson
for recorder, Hugh c. Reilly referred
to Mr. Garretson as an old and tried
war horse"
The nominees for the excise board
were named one at a time, as that
was decided upon as better than nom
mating them collectively. They were
named in the following order: Nels
Lybeck, John Seaman. Christopher
Meshrow, Thomas Silver, and John
II. Mulchahey.
Chairman White named the COM
mittee on vacancies as follows: Hugh
c. Reilly and William Frost
James Kirby was given the floor
and he said that the delegates had
been quite while in caucus prior to
calling the convention because they
desired to name the best ticket pos
sible, and that everything would be
done to advance the democratic
cause.
1t was the sentiment OF those at
the convention that the democrats
have a great opportunity in this city
this wear and that they have a ticket
Il II loyal democrats will rally to
g. veil as many other voters. TIL
turnout at the convention was quit
a representative one despite the
sence of many faces which were for
most at democratic city conventionreet
few years ago.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-10-17

TO CONFER.
East Jersey Board In This City
Yesterday Decided To Dis
CuSS Transfer.

Nine of the Board of Proprietors
of East Jersey held their semi-annual
meeting in this city yesterday after
noon The party arrived here short
ly before noon, and at once went to
the surveyor generals Office, the
small stone building north of city
hail. where they held a short ses-
sion.
After dining at the Packer House
the proprietors resumed their meet
ing. 1t has been reported num-
Der of times that the proprietors were
to sell the twenty-five survey books.
and ten other record books which
date back to 1870, to the state. The
matter was not decided yesterday
it received considerable dis
cussion. 1t was finally decided to
confer with the legislative committee
which was appointed recently, in re
gard to the matter.
The state is to take over the old
records and the only details neces-
sary to be decided are as to terms.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-10-17
STONE THROWER'S
SENTENCE SUSPENDED

Sentence was suspended for two
weeks this morning by Recorder Pick
ersgill in the case of Hyman Effren
against James Lane
As was told in the NEWS, Eifren,
while driving on State street near
Pearl place a few days ago, was hit
on the head by a stone. The wound
was quite severe and Effren had
James Lane, twelve years old, arrest
ed. Lane pleaded guilty this morn
ing, and was given some advice by
the recorder. Effren said he had
been stoned a number of times before
by a gang of boys in that locality,
and although he didn't wish to press
the charge, he would like the nui-
sance stopped. Lane appeared peni-
tent and if The offense is not repeated,
he may be discharged
Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-10-17
SUIT AGAINST
KEMPSON ON.
Il to the EHENING NEWS:

Special to the EVENING NEWS:
NEW BRUNSWICK, Oct. 1.-THE
trial of the suit of the Babcock Print
ing Press Company against st. George
Kempson is on today. J. e. Stricker
represents the plaintiffs. and Robert
Adrain appears for Kempson The
company sold a second hand Camp
bell press to Kempson for $685., to
be paid for with 500 in cash and the
rest in notes. When the press was
set up at Perth Amboy, Kempson re
fused to sign the notes, according to
agreement, as he asserted that the
press was not in working order.
James Mcnamara testified that he
set the press up and that Kempson
refused TO sign the notes.
" S. Hallanback, who removed the
press from Kempson's place for the
company, testified that the press was
in perfect order but that the power
was not on in the building.
Charles A. Collard testified to sell
ing the press.
Counselor Adrain moved for non
suit on the grounds that there was
no sale because the notes were not
signed. The motion was refused.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-10-17
Have M CURRENT
BY NOVEMBER |
Delay in Cable Shipments HaltS
Work on Stringing Of Cables
for Company.

On account of delay in obtaining
cables, the Citizens Electric Light,
Heat and Power Company will be
unable to supply current this week.
Secretary Boynton of the concern said
today that if possible all the cable
would be ready for use by November
]. At the plant on Pearl place ev-
erything is ready, and a test of the
machinery showed excellent results.
The directors of the company held
a meeting at the companys office, 81
Smith street, last night, at which
time a number of matters were dis
cussed. Engineer Albert Buys made
q report, and report was received
from the Perth Amboy Conduit Com
pany, stating that half of the cables
are now in place.
In conversation with a NEWS re-
porter today, Secretary Boynton said.
I'VE hope to supply current in two
weeks, and will surely supply it by
November L." Mr.. Boynton added
that the stock was now all in and the
concern in good shape. ]. K. Sheehy,
of the company, was busily at work
this morning communicating with a
cable concern in regard to some ship
ments that are due. Until the cable
arrives the conduit company will
cease operations.