davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27

10 pie and doughnuts for breakfast.
whose dinner has consisted OF one course
or OF several courses served at one time,
and whose knowledge Of beverages has
been limited to rye or Bourbon, at the
end of his first season he VIII wisely
discuss the cooking of a wild duck and
make much ado about the correct tenn
perature of his wine.
The famous restauranteur. Weicher.
who was a figure here Just after the war
and for years following is said TO be re-
sponslble for the epicurean palate of
Washington and to have established a
standard here that is still adhered to.
Welcher was a Belgian, who first came
to Washington in the early COS as the
steward of a New York regiment When
he was discharged from that position he
established himself here as a caterer,
recognizing the fact that the Capital Of
fered a field that had never been fully
exploited and that its power and gran
deur would be augmented as a result of
the war
A bon vivant himself. this fat. jolly
little Belgian set about making bon
VI VIC <aAt4tA tIdiA SNeAANoifiEAAr WHO
proved willing pupils. His dinners were
well-thought-out harmonies, never vulgar
through overdecoration. the menus not
too long and heavy, and the wine what
1t pretended to be. and served at the
proper temperature
Lobbyists the Gainers.
The advent of Welcher was an epoch
in the social and political history OF
Washington, and a statesman Of those
days. after a Welcher dinner. was apt
to be in such a mellow mood that almost
any project could be preached 10 him.
The lobbyists soon came to recognize
this fact and profit by It, and they were
among the famous Welchers best pat
rons. II is said that those scandalOus
measures which passed Congress in the
late SOS and the '70s were directly trace
able to the marvellous dinners of this
Gordon bleu. for after q dish OF yyelcher's
terrapin, a duck au sauce Goddard, and
a bottle of Pommery frappe. everything
and everybody had a pleasing aspect.
Welcher was succeeded by John Cham
berlin. who was less of a cook and
more Of a politician than his predeces-
scr. He had a way with him that was
quite as effective as Welcher's sauce
Goddard. and one Of his anecdotes would
convert an ordinary meal into a Lucul-
Ian banquet. not that Chamberlin serv-
ed Barmecide feasts to his guests; on
the contrary he had the best chefs ne
could import. but he was himself no
such master OF the spit as was Welcher.
John Chamberlln had no successor.
There is to-day no restaurant or cafe
where statesmen meet to swap stories.
play the innocent game of draw, and
feast. The adjustment OF this informal
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27

life OF a country gentleman in big
house outside of town, and his guests
get fine edge on their appetites during
the long ride out there The dinner they
get is worth the ride. for the host Of
"Woodley" does things in the big and
royal way characteristic of the state he
represents. and which his large fortune
makes possible.
A colleague of Senator Newlands, who is
a frequent host is Mr. Burrows. Of Mich
igan, veteran member OF the Upper
House. now In his third term, which ex-
pires in 1871 when he will probably sue
coed himself. Senator Burrows has al
ways been in demand as a dinner guest,
for he has a fund Of anecdote and
"reminiscences 10 draw upon. and he talks
well but he is quite as interesting at his
own table as he is when he has his feet
under the mahogany of another.
There is as much spice IN the CONVERSE
ton as there is in the food around the
board of the Speaker Of the House, who
stands in the foremost rank OF dinner
givers, for Mr. Cannon has as keen a
sense Of humor as the traditional Yankee
is credited with possessing. and he ac-
quired in the House the faculty OF speak
ing strongly and TO the point, so that the
dinner talk at the Speakers is far re-
moved from the banal and commonplace,
the bon mots that originate there will
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27

Fyffe was called upon to play a con-
spicuous part. When Gen. Van Cleave,
the division commander. was wounded.
Fyffe assumed command and led the divs-
sion In a charge at an opportune time
a charge that in no small degree con-
tributed in shielding the Union army
from a threatened disaster.
Owing to Ill health. Gen Fyffe was
obliged to quit the service. and a year
later died. hero of two wars. Made
regular by two regulars whom the world
has long regarded as foremost among
military chieftains.
But the battery captain. colonel, and
brigadier general had a successor.
Three months after his death son was
born. He was a soldier man-truly a
born soldier. He was sent TO a military
school. The first chance that was offered
he Joined the Kentucky National Guard,
serving five years, and was several times
called into active service in hunting feud-
lists. Like the father. the younger ]. P.
Fyffe became a lawyer. In 1883 he re-
moved to Chattanooga, Tenn. and that
year was made captain in the National
Guard, reaching the rank of lieutenant
colonel two years later. When the Span
ish war came, he was made col
onel of the Third Tennessee and com
manded 1t until July, 1899 He was the
senior officer from Tennessee in the Span
ish war-Tennessee, the State in which
his hero father fought his greatest bat
ties.
In a memorial speech at Chattanooga,
Col Fyffe told story which makes
fitting close for this sketch. The Third
Tennessee was stationed at Chickamauga
Park in 1893.
In the address alluded to, Col Fyne
said:
ION western slope of the National
Cemetery. toward the setting sun. you
may find 100 graves or more whose occu-
pants, the markers tell us, lost their lives
beneath the banners of the Fifty-ninth
Ohio Regiment in 1863, when the battle of
Chickamauga was fought More than 600
bullets found Judgment in the bodies
of the men who filled its ranks on these
fields. The annals Of war show no regi-
ment with better record for hard fight
ing and gallant work Another shaft
marks the spot where rests the mortal
remains OF him who was its first colonel.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27

the next morning was that brigade Gen.
Grant saw the brigade move TO the front
saw 1t when the division commander
ordered a charge; saw the four regi-
ments move out like veterans; saw the
Fifty-ninth make a half-wheel to the
left and charge two Confederate regi-
ments in piece of woods. while the other
three regiments drove the enemy without
firing a shot.
The Fifty-nInth was not so fortunate.
The Confederates had feeled trees and
made a hurried line of works. The reg
iment was at first driven back. but
quickly reformed and went In again, the
colonel leading.
Every man was in his place. and when
Col. Fyffe said, Now, men of Ohio. we
must take that position there was a
shout by soldiers who had caught the
spirit Of their commander. There was not
a waver in the Inc, though there was a
thinning process as they approached the
Confederates. The coloneTs horse fell.
On his feet In an instant, he swung
sword with one hand and cap with the
other. commanding Forward, forward.
men of ohio-this is your great day."
And It was
The charge was successful. The posi-
ton. as well as half Of the Confederate
force was taken. and that was the be-
ginning Of the break which brought VIC
tory TO Grants army at Shiloh. April 7.
The next day Gen. Grant sent for Col.
Fyffe. and after complimenting him upon
the fine conduct of himself and his regi-
ment. he added:
Colonel. you must have had military
training to so soon and so thoroughly
discipline your regiment"
I did. sir My training was of the
highest order. 1t was during the Mexican
war. My instructors were Capt Robert
z. Lee. Of the Engineers, and Lieut.. u.
S. Grant, of the Fourth United States IN
fantry."
Then the major general commanding a
successful army recalled his pupil the
captain of an Ohio battery.
$3.50
The Fifty-ninth lost its colonel. He was
placed in command of a brigade: but the
colonel never lost the love of his old
regiment. For long time he COM
mahded the Second Brigade. Third divi-
sion, Twenty-frst Army Corps.
At the battle of Stone River. Gen.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27

son in the Eastern Kentucky campaign
but It did not have its real baptism of
fire until Shiloh, the first really great bat
tie of the civil war. which took place
April 6 and Z. 1862.
Not until Shiloh did the people-North
and south-fully realize the magnitude
of the task that had been undertaken.
They knew, from that time. that there
would be years of campaigning; that
many great battles were to follow. It
was then that the armies Of both sides
settled down to a strong, hard pull,
long absence from home and dear ones:
it was then that the public, North and
South. faced the future with jaws firmly
set.
For three years armies and people
wrought in a way to bring imperishable
honor and glory to a country that during
those years was given new birth.
Who wonders that the surviving Union
talk about The events of April and Z,
1S62-the Battle OF Shiloh?
It was there that the first great test
was made.
Fifteen months later there were two
other mighty tests. Vicksburg and Gettys-
burg. From these two heights the country
could look over into the promised land
and see the beginning of the end-see
Grant and Lee shake hands and hear the
order to disband two armies-two armies
composed Of Americans. soldiers as well
tried and heroic as ever wrought.
Col Fyffe and his Buckeye boys were
with Buell. when the battle of Shiloh be-
gan. All day. the 9Th, they heard the roar
OF cannon, and as they neared the Ten
nessee. roll after roll OF musketry greet
ed them, but they hurried on, Buell.
and his army. certain that they were
needed.
Among the first 20 cross the river was
the brigade of which the Fifty-ninth
Ohio was a part, and among the first of
Buelrs army to be sent into the fight
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27
THE SIOUX RAID RECALLED
Death of One Woman Who Escaped-A Prediction
Verified
Verified.

Mrs. Henry Rathburn, who died at her
home near Traer. Kans., recently, was
the only woman who survived the Sioux
Indian raid in Decatur County in 1876.
Her husband was a scout with Lieut.
Austin Henley. of the Eleventh United
States Infantry. says the New York Sun.
In October, 1876. a band of Sioux In
dams returning from the Indian Territory
TO their former home in the Black Hills
country. crossed Western Kansas under
fire of Federal troops. In their flight
through Decatur County, and not far
from the Nebraska line. they stopped
long enough in the valley of the Sappa
River to wreak vengeance on the white
people who had pushed their settlements
into that remote region. Mrs. Rathburn
heard the shots from the Indian guns
when a mile or more away, and by the
aid of fleet pony. escaped to safety five
miles down the Ssppa River.
Soon after the raid the Sioux pitched
their camp in a semi-circle valley beneath
Tie bluffs which fringe the Ssppa River.
Lieut.. Henley attacked them there, and
in his report Of the fight said: Nine
teen dead warriors were counted; eight
squaws and children were unavoidably
killed by shots intended for the war
riors." White men who visited the scene
two days later counted forty bodies OF
men. women, and children lying promis-
cuously around the burned remains of
their camp.
But one Indian made his escape. A
young Indian without a family In the
camp and another older one made dash
for their lives up the long sloping hin to
the north. When a mile or more away
from the scene of the battle the Indian
with a family said to the other: You
are safe now, go on. 1 am going back
20 die with my family" He wheeled his
pony and rode back into the valley to his
death. The Cheyennes and Sioux still
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27
Senator's Hale, Deepen,
NewIandS, Root, Bur
rows, and Du Pont
Among those Noted for
Excellence of Dinners.

harbor Of Yokohama. Ships under fun
sail and miniature effigies Of the inhab-
itants were placed here AMI there 10 add
to the reality OF the scene and give the
guests an object lesson. These decora-
tons cost thousands of dollars and took
a fortnight to prepare, and before the
night Of the dinner the Ambassador was
thoroughly coached in his duties. lie
caused himself to be put through his
lesson. as though he were a boy at
school. by an experienced American Dip
lomatist, who was in his employ ard
when he acted as host not a flaw could
be picked in his conduct. yet few weeks
before he had Frustrated himself IN ORR
entail fashion before Gen. Grant and bad
remained PROSTATE until he was bldIen
to rise.
Japanese Quickly Learn.
Since then tho Japanese have entertaln-
ed constantly and well. The first per-
manent minister here. Mr. Yoshida, set
pace that his successors have coascien-
tiously followed. The present Arnbassa-
doris immediate predecessor, Baron Taxa
hira. was prince among dinner givers,
and Baron Uchida. whose wife is an
alumna OF Bryn Mawr. is following
closely In his footsteps. The Chinese Dip
lomats incline more to receptions than to
dinners. but the present minister is an
exception to his predecessors. and las
already established reputation as a
dinner host
The dinners at the White House kavs
not been considered because they are so
official in character that the guests are
not supposed to be either entertained or
amused, but only to assist in the
French sense. They are invited, indeed.
according to their official Importance and
rank. and it IS rare. under these condi-
tons. that a congenial company is
brought together. Mr.. Arthur managed
better than any OF his predecessors or
his successors in making his official din
ners enjoyable, and it is not to be doubt
ed but that Mrs. Taft viii succeed equal
ly well. for she has already succeeded in
making the official receptions enjoyable.
a feat that has always been counted as
impossible.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27

club came about through the increase in
the number of clubs and the affiIiation
of the politicians and their following with
them. The influx OF the Croesuses had
also something to do with the passing
of Chamberlins, for nowadays ali
wealthy entertainers have their own chefs
and there is no need of caterers In
Weleher's day, on the contrary. there
was hardly private house in the coun-
try that had chef
Hale the MakejOy of Society.
There are co many accomplished
Amphitryons at the Capital. that it is
difficult to single out the most famous
ones. Senator Hale, OF Maine, is. how
ever, entitled to head the list. for his
dinners are not only remarkable for the
taste and knowledge displayed in their
ordering, their fauitless service, but for
the wit and wisdom that flows about his
board. A magazine writer. bent on Sc
curing fame through the satirical sobri-
quets he bestowed upon noted people,
once called Mr.. Hale the killjoy OF the
Senate. which Is deserved or undeserved
according to the glasses through which
the man from the Pine Tree State is
viewed, but If he Is the killjoy OF the
Senate. he is the makejoy of society, for
he is the purveyor OF good cheer, both
intellectual and material To sit near
this accomplished host az his own table
is to appreciate to the full the pOssibili-
ties OF dinner. for under the steady
flow Of his humor one is apt 10 accept
the menu and other accomplishments as
perfect because OF the attic salt.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27

continue to sing the praises OF the man
who rode back TO die with his family"
Lieut.. Henley was drowned in Arizona
while on duty a few months later. In
connection with his death this incident
is related. When he arrived at Fort
Lyon, near the home Of John Proven,
the pioneer cattleman of the Upper Ar
kansas, he had among his effects some
of the ornaments and jewels captured in
the Sappa River fight. Some Of these
had been worn by the medicine man OF
the party. and when Mrs Proven. who
was full-blooded Cheyenne saw them
she began a grooming and mourning that
lasted three days.
The man who is responsible for the
death of the medicine man will die within
a year" she said. and her prediction was
verified.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27
DINING Az ELEMENT MPOLCS NOTED CAPITAL

house is Senator Elkins, OF West vir-
ginia, quite different in character, ap-
pearance. and attitude from his brother.
of Maine. Hale suggests the clever and
cultivated diplomatist, a Machisveln in
keenness and discretion, an Addison in
clearness of diction and elegance of
style, while EIkins is the bis, jolly jovial
politician of the hastings. not too eau
tious In saying what he thinks and say
ing it in vigorous and picturesque Ian
guage He is as rich, perhaps richer,
than Senator Hale His establishment Is
a handsome one. his chef a Gordon bleu.
his butler master of immobility of ex-
preston, trained TO recognize the slight
est sign from his master He is a fine
host and enjoys the part. and gets as
much pleasure out OF it as his guests do
Depew Has Wide Reputation.
Senator Depew's reputation as a din
ner giver is as wide as his reputation as
a wit, for he is essentially a sociable
person. loves his feilow-men and women.
loves to have them around him. and
loves to entertain them with the anec-
dotes that he so eloquently reeites.
There are no dull moments at the Depew
dinner table, none of those awful and
embarrassing silences when, as the Ger
mans put it. a lieutenant is paying his
debts. The conversation is sparkling
and brilliant and the dinner comes to an
end too soon. This is true as we'll OF
dinners given by his colleague, Senator
Root. They are exquisitely planned and
served and the table chat is invariably
brilliant, witty, and absorbing A young
woman. who dined at the Roots for the
first time this winter. was asked what
she had for dinner.
Diplomacy" was the reply. Her ques-
toner explained that it was what she
had to eat he was asking about. not the
topic of conversation.
How in the world can ] tell?" she de-
handed 7 sat near enough to Senator
Root to hear everything he said. and
was so interested that could not for
the life of me tell whether I was eating
bean porridge or terrapin.
An assiduous and delightful host Is
Senator Du Pont, of Delaware The SEN
ator, Il will be recalled. is of French
origin. and he has retained his French
tastes and his French point of view In
matters epicurean. at least. despite the
three generations that have passed since
his grandfather. who was a cabinet Of
fcer In the reign of Louis XVI and a
noted writer on finance and economics,
sought refuge in this country from the
fury OF the revOlutionists. Senator Du
Pont speaks his grandfather's language
as fiuently as though he had passed his
whole life in Paris. and his menage is
ordered on French lines. The most ex-
igent goumet could find no flaw in his
dinners. and one is sure to meet at his
table some of the rarest wits and best
Faconteurs in society. for the powder
kng-the Senator is the chief stakeholder
In the Du Pont powder works-has a
true French appreciation OF sparkling
esprit and feels that the most perfectly
planned dinner in the world Is fiavorless
without It,
Dinners at "WOodIey."
Senator Newlands. Of Nevada. is a din
ner giver Of the first water. He lives the
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
One Served in Two Wars, the Other in But One.
"reminiscences of Three Struggles

By LIEUT.. col. j. A. WATROUs.
In 1876 James Perry Fyffe. a young law
yer. was made quartermaster OF an Ohio
regiment recruited for the Mexican war.
When his command was ordered into its
first battle the quartermaste- sought and
was given permission 10 accompany 1t. A
company commander was wounded by the
first volley. Lieut. Fyffe took his place
and was so skillful and successful that
the colonel gave him credit for having
given the regiment first place in the di-
vision for bravery and good results.
Not many days after that, volunteer
six-gun battery was in need of a captain.
His colonel and brigade commander rec
commended Lieut.. Fyffe, and he was duly
commissioned.
Il was while captain OF the battery. a
body of men that did notable service until
the end of the war. that Capt. Fyffe had
the assistance of two young officers of
the regular army, one Of the engineers
and the other OF the infantry. They man
ifested deep interest in The fighting cap
tain. The captain taught the volunteer
officer how to keep his battery horses in
good condition. and the infantry lleuten-
ant gave him all of the ms and outs of
proper care for MS men-how to get the
best possible service-how TO feed them
how TO treat them in camp and on the
march: how to handle both guns and men
in fight.
It was just such information as the
young. unframed volunteer officer needed,
and he was grateful for IT,
Capt Fyffe was practicing law. editing
a paper, and serving as probate judge at
Georgetown, Ohio, in 1861. His record as
a soldier in the Mexican war was known
TO the governor. These kilograms passed:
From the governor to the captain:
''Wnl you accept commission as colonel
Of the Fifty-ninth regiment"
From the captain TO the governor:
Il viii. thank you
The Fifty-ninth was with General Nell
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27

He gave his life for the flag. He was
my father.
Across the cemetery. where the first
rays OF the rising sun kisses the tears
of heaven from their new made graves,
rest the remains of dozen men who died
on Chickamauga field in 1895. They were
men of a Tennessee regiment which I
had the honor to command. In its ranks
were men whose fathers, in 1858, met my
fathers command at the point Of the
bayonet on the very ground on which, in
1898. my own headquarters stood.
MY only apology for this personal
reference is that il illustrates. as do
hundreds Of other incidents. that the bit
ter hatred engendered by that civil strife
Is buried so deep that it can never be
eXhumed"
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27
BanquetS as a Means to
an End in Washing
ton, More than Any
Other City-Lobbyists
Usually the Gamers.


Dining has been an element In politics
since man first fought with each other
for supremacy and spread their meals
on the grass under the trees OF the for
est and quenched their thirst from the
spring near by. From this simple be-
ginning, when the piece de resistance
was a stag shot by the diners or a sheep
pilfered, perhaps, from one of the guests
In whose honor the feast was given. din
ing has become a fine art. an art IN
which iIlustrious statesmen and distin-
guished women do not scorn to interest
themselves. Some OF our best-known
dishes bear the names of men who we're
dominant factors in history and men
great in the council chamber have de-
lighted in trying their skill and proving
their prowess with spit or grIddle
Dinners in Washington have long come
to be looked upon as a means to an end,
and have reached a point Of excellence
that is unrivaled in this country I
have been in Washington for three
weeks" said diplomatist recently, here
on leave, and have dined out every
night Some of my hosts have been
mult-millionaires, some of them govern
ment clerks on meager salaries. but I
haven't eaten a poor dinner since have
been in town.
Washington dinners are neither so ex-
pensive nor so pretentlous as those in
the great and rich metropolises like
New York and Chicago. but the menus
for them are beyond criticism. for every
other person at the Capital is an epicuro,
from the old darby. who goes TO the
wharves for his feast of oysters fresh
from ;he boats and frys his stolen spring
chicken over Goals picked from the ash
heap to the man who has his own ter
rapin farm and sends his own hunter
down IN the swamps to pick off canvas
backs.
Soon Become COnnoisseurs.
The French have a saying that appe-
tite comes with eating. which is true OF
those who come to Washington, for no
matter where they hail from. or how
Indifferent they may be TO what they eat.
a few seasons in society at the Capital
converts them into connoisseurs. Given
a statesman who has been accustomed |