The National tribune., 1910-08-25

old, weazened man. His son, Clarence.
soon came forth. and was introduced
Next the President was asked 20 name
the two-weeks-old son of Clarence. The
infants mother, a ruddy-cheeked wo-
man, quickly appeared, bringing the
boy. The President said he would lie
very glad to name this latest addition
to the Taft family. He glanced at the
bronze tablet, where the name of his
ancestor WIS written, and after a mo-
ment said: Il will name him Robert,
and may he grow up to be an honor to
himself and to the family"
The President talked much during
his trip in that region about the Tafts
of many generations. He has given
considerable attention to the family
history and knows we'll the various
branches. Robert Taft was a house
wright, who came over from England,
and built big bridge across the Black
stone River. He had six tall sons. After
the visit to the Public Square the Presi-
dent rode down to the ancient burial
ground, and Tummaged about in the
weeds and briar bushes, searching for
the names of his ancestors who lie
buried there. He also visited the meet
ing house erected in 1920. met Alanson
Taft, another old man, with white whis-
kerS, and saw the pew, No. IL, which
his grandfather purchased at auction
for 500. 1t is now known as the First
Parish Church, and the worshipers
there are Unitarians.
The Taft Homestead.
From the church the President rode
farther into the country to see the spot
where Robert Taft built his first house.
The site is in an orchard, where the
field is white with wild caraway. The
big automobile chugged over the rough
way and under the boughs of the apple
trees. The President and Gov. Draper
and Luther Taft, still another little old
man with white whiskerS, stood on the
site of the house and had their pictures
taken.
Gen. Washington, in 1889, while Pres
ident, travelled over the Hartford road
thru the very region that the President
traversed. 1t was the first time in 131
years that President had come that
way. and it is now true that the first
President and the latest President have
visited Mendou- Just opposite the Pub
lie Square is still standing the house,
then an inn, where Gen. Washington
applied for supper and lodging. The
innkeeper refused him. because the ma
tron of the establishment was not at
home to prepare supper.
Accordingly Gen. Washington rode
on a few miles to North Uxbridge, to
tavern kept by Samuel Taft. one of
President Taft's ancestors. There he
was given supper and lodging. The
house, with its big chimney of English
bricks, is well preserved. Its occupant
and owner now is an interesting old
lady, Miss Sarah F. Taft, who received
the President and showed him the
apartments that Gen. Washington occu-
pied. She also brought out the old tav
ern sign, painted in 177S, and suspend
ed for many years from an adjoining
tree. 1t was resurrected from the corn
barn years ago, and is now cherished
as a rare relic. 1t bears an excellent
likeness of an eagle. not unlike the
eagle upon the Presidents flag. She
also told him an Interesting ghost story
of military funeral procession that
once passed the house, but was seen of
no one except three women of the Taft
family.
With these and numerous other in
teresting incidents the President had
an exceptional day, which he enjoyed
immensely, and as a little cessation
from the worries of politics.