The Washington herald., 1909-05-29

Nearly al the twenty-six American
Presidents were outdoor men and enthu-
siastic horsemen. THIS was especially
+ true Of George Washington. who kept &
/ large stable al Mount Vernon. and as a
young man frequently rode behind the
/ hounds after the fashion ot country gen
( tlemen Of that day. His favor1te hunt
+ ing steed vas "Blue Skin" He always
fed his horses personally before having
+ his own breakfast. While President he
drove a team OF white chargers which
4 regularly had their hoofs blacked and
their teeth picked before leaving their
stables. In a magnificent white coach,
drawn By these horses. ne made several
extensive tours Of the country during his
administration.
II is difficult 70 think OF the Father OF
His Country otherwise than on dress
parade. but il is recorded that during the
Revolution Washington obtained exercise
by skipping the rope He tramped all
over Manhattan Island when the seat Of
government was al New York IN his
youth ne used 10 throw heavy bars for
exercise His exploit Of throwing a dollar
across the Potomac River has become a
part Of the coUntry's traditional history.
Indoors Washington played billiards As
an old man he ished 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. 50 that he enjoyed
few amusements while there Thomas
T-ef
tanning a fine stable and riding two OF
three hours every afternoon until three
weeks before his death at Monticello.
He attended races near Washington. On
one occasion he saved himself from cap
ture by British troops through the feet
ness Of his steed. His ride TO the Capitol
10 be inaugurated is familiar history
Between times Jefferson practiced scien-
tihc farming, landscape gardening, and
architecture He was also an inventor,
an author OF note. and a great reader
Madison is said TO nave been fond OF
horses. 50 was John Quincy Adams He
used 70 walk two miles from the White
House TO see horse races al the old Hol-
mead track. he was IN the habit Of ris-
ing very early, walking five Or six miles
by starlight or moonlight. and returning
70 the White House in time to see the
sun rise Occasionally he took before
breakfast plunge in the Potomac River.
IN the evening he played billiards. At
all times he wrote in his diary and left
a mass Of manuscript that has been
equaled by few distinguished people for
its volume and interesting quality.
Andrew Jackson loved horses with all
the strength Of his iron nature. He used
their outcome. On one occasion a colt
Of his was entered in a race by his nephew
and secretary. Mai Donelsou II was
beaten. and Il IS recorded that the Presi-
dent lost S1,000 on the race. Jackson rode
horseback and slterneted in driving in
a phaeton made OF timber from the old
frigate Constitution and a sulky made
Of rough "old hickory wood. Jackson
once pa-doned q mail robber from hang
ing because he had long before given the
President a tip that a certain race was
fixed" Jaekson's duel with Dickinson
grew out Of a dispute over race horses.
Van BUren drove fine olive coIored
carriage during hts term. and later was
gentleman farmer William Henry
Harrison's untimely death was the result
OF his determination TO ride his fsvorite
horse 10 and from the Capito. al his
Inauguration. Tyler bought a fine turn
out from Secretary Of the 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 Wash
ingtOn. and it followed the Presidents
remains 70 his grave. "0ld Rough and
Ready liked 60 spend some leisure az
tending the marine band concerts. Frank