The Washington herald., 1908-07-12

: :
johnson Slower, one Of "the children OF
the White House" and a grandson OF
President Johnson is living as hermit
I'm the mountains OF his native Tennessee,
serves to recall the regime OF the only
President OF the United States who was
tried for impeachment. and whose ad-
ministration began with a tragedy and
ended IN discouragement and disappoint
ment II was a sad and bereaved family
that took possession OF the White House
after President Lipcoins assassination.
Mrs Johnson was a confirmed invalid,
made so through the hardshlps and pri-
vat!ons she had suffered for her loyalty
10 the Union when her husband repre-
sented Tennessee in the Senate during
the civil war She and her daughters
had been threatened ard abused, driven
hitner and thither, TO find a safe asylum
IN the mountains OF East Tennessee. and
for two years she had been separated
from her husband. whose duties kept him
in Washington. President Johnsons
youngest daughter. Mrs. Stover. was IN
deep mourning for her husband. an Of
fcer Of tie Union. who had lost his life
on the battlefield. and almost heart
broken at her great bereavement. with TO
interest IN or taste for the great position
she was suddenly called upon 20 dll The
duties OF the lady OF tho White House
fell. therefore. upon the Presidents
eldest daughter Martha Patterson. whose
Lushand was then Senator from Ten
nessee.
Al this period the position OF mistress
uf the White House no sinecure The
convenience. order and discipline that
mark the conduct OF the Presidents home
to-day were entirely lacking. The house
itself was IN a terrible condition. The
military guards had slept everywhere and
anywhere on the first floor OF the man
sion The carpets were dirty the fur
niture broken and torn. and on every
side there was neglect and disorder. But
Mrs. Patterson was a notable housewife;
her energy and vigilance bore speedy re-
suits and at the first reception held by
President Johnson on January l. 1866. the
White House was clean. fresh. and sweet.
n il lacked the elegance which should
characterize the home OF the Chief
Executive.
While Mrs. Patterson was extremely
simple both IN dress and manner, she
lacked neither dignity nor aplomb. and
lad a fine sense of what was her due
and what she owed the people who had
elected her father 10 his high Office.
There was no trained corps Of servants.
no household staff TO do her bidding: she
was forced to create these for herself.
and lest anything should go wrong. she
took an interest In the smallest details.
and her hand and taste could be recog-
uizCd even in the table decorations and
the menus for state dinners Her only
daughter. Belle Patterson, was a beau
tiful girl. with golden aair which ac-
cording 10 the fashion OF the period. she
wore crimped. ripping down 10 the very
edge OF her short frock for she was still
q child when her mother was mistress Of
the White House. too young 10 share any
Of hcr responsibilities
Mrs. Stovsr. whose family consisted OF
two small daughters and a son. the pres
ont hermit then a child OF seven or eight.
lived with her father at the White House
but escncwed all its Rayeties as far as
possible and resigned all responsibility 20
her elder sister Andrew Johnson Slower
is still remembered by those who fire.
uuenteG the White House at this time as
listless, dreamy boy. little given 10
companionshp with children or his own
age or 10 playing with his sisters, and
soon after his mother died some years
later his family admitted that he was
not mentally sound. and that the terrible
scenes he had witnessed. the life he had
lived when his family were I'm hiding. had
UncorSciously left their mark upon him.
II is not 70 be doubted that the en-
forced wanderings OF his family in the
Tennessee mountains when his father
was a soldier I'm the Union army deve-
oped hs taste for the life OF a mountain
eer and are in part Il not wholly. respon-
sible for his present isolation.
The greatest function given at the
White House while Andrew Johnson was
President was the ball in honor OF his
grandchildren 10 celebrate his own birth
day II was a wonderful party There
were more than a thousand Invitations
issued. and as many children accepted as
could conveniently be accommodated in
the mansion This was the first and only
occasion at which Mrs. Johnson appeared,
and those who saw her will never forget
the pale sad face Of the invalid or the
Illuminating smile with which she greet
Cd her visitors. To the children she was
especially gracious and sympathetic. and.
as n recognizing in her a friend. the great
ebony chair IN which she sat was con-
stantlv surrounded by an admiring circle
OF little ones
There was dancing, OF course, which
was directed by the famous Prof Marini.
the italian dancing master who taught
the children OF the fashionables Of that
time how 70 dance the waltz. which was
still a novelty. and the Boston" then
just coming in. besides innumerable fancy
dances, which were considered neces-
sary accomplishment az that period The
banquet table too. was something always
10 be remembered. loaded a. Il was with
creations as beautiful 70 look on as they
were TO taste. great pyramids and pa
COdas Of nougat. mounds Of frosted cakes
that lowered several feet above the table.
and colored ice creams In fantastic shapes
Lions and elephants. rearing horses,
docile dogs. and Growing cocks