Los Angeles herald., 1909-06-20
Pastirl1es of Presidents
By Frederic L HaSkin

exploit OF throwing a dollar across the
Potomac river has become Part of the
country's traditional history Indoors
washington played billiards. As an old
man he fished >for amusement, and
finally caught the cold which caused
his death while riding.
John Adams, the first occupant of
the present White House, had much
trouble over the alien and sedition laws
and other VeXatious problems, so that
he enjoyed few amusementS while
there. Thomas jefferson was a great
horse lover, maintaining a fine stable
and riding two or three hours every
death at Monticello. He attended horse
races near Washington. On one oc-
casiOn he saved himself from capture
by British troops through the fleetness
of his steed. His ride to the capitol to
be inaugurated is familiar history. Be
tween times jefferson practiced scien-
tific farming, landscape gardening and
architecture He was also an inventor
an author of note and a great reader
Madison is said to have been fond of
horses So was John Quincy Adams.
lie used to walk two miles from the
White House to see horse races at the
old Holmead track. He was in the
habit of rising very early, walking five
or six miles by starlight or moonlight.
time to see the sunrise. Occasionally
he took a before breakfast plunge in
the Potomac river. In the evening he
played billiards. At all times he wrote
i'll his diary, and left a mass of manu-
script that has been equaled by few
distinguished people for it's volume and
interesting quality
Andrew Jackson loved horses with all
the strength of his iron nature. He
used to attend races and sometimes bet
on their outcome. On one occasion a
colt of his was entered in race by his
nephew and secretary, Major Doneson.
1t was beaten, and it is recorded that
the president lost $1,000 on the race.
Jackson rode horseback and alternated
in driving in a phaeton made of timber
from the old frigate Constitution and a
sulky made of rough old hickory wood.
jackson once pardoned a mail robber
from hanging because he had long be-
fore given the president a tip that a
certain race was fixed. Jackson's duel
with Dickinson grew out of a dispute
over race horses.
Van Buren drove a fine olive-colored
carriage during his term and later was
q gentleman farmer. William Henry
Harrison's untimely death was the re-
suit of his determination to ride his
faVorite horse to and from the capitol
at his Inauguration. Tyler bought a
Treasury Paulding. Polk was a nature
lover, and his driving of a carriage and
four horses was one of the sights of
the capital Zachary Taylor brought
his white charger from the Mexican
War to washington, and it followed the
Presidents remains to his grave. "Old
Rough and Ready liked to spend some
leisure attending the marine band and
concerts. Franklin Pierce fished for
pickerel in New Hampshire lakes. In
Washington he rode a famous blind
horse at night, besides driving in the
daytime. Millard Fillmore was raised
a farmer and loved the open, although
he passed most of his later years in
Buffalo. Buchanan had a fine turnout
for his niece, Miss Harriet Lane.
Lincoln got little outdoor life during
his term except when driving or rid
ing to inspect fortif1cations and armies,
or between the White House and his
summer cottage at the Soldiers home,
Sometimes he practiced basketball for
exercise. He sought recreation in play
ing backgammon and "old sledge," in
reading, telling stories or going to the
theater-where he finally met his death.
Johnson drove a pair of fiery black
horses, and played checkers and fox
and geese" for amusement. Monroe
was fond of indoor amusements, Jack
son of whist, Pierce of Seven up" and
Grant was pre-eminently "the man
on horseback" He owned a fine stock
farm near st. Louis and his horses were
the best. He especially priced two
Arab steeds given him by. the sultan
of Turkey. One of his horses, Cincln-
natus, would stand without hitching
anywhere and any time. Another. jeff
Davis, could be controlled only by the
general. A third horse was bought by
Grant from butcher after the latter's
wagon had beaten the presidents
buggy. 1t was called Butcher Boy.
Grant rode and walked about Washing
ton in most democratic fashion.
Hayes took a walk in the morning
and a horseback ride in the afternoon.
Garfield was hardly president long
enough to indicate his preference among
pastimes. Arthur had fine team of
horses and enjoyed a social evening
with friends. Mckinley took walks
with his secretary or cabinet officers
and drove almost daily with his wife,
sometimes handling the reins himself.
During the trying days of the Spanish
war he read "Mr. Dooley'' for amuse-
ment.
copyright, 1909 by Frederic ]. Haskin.)