Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-01-12

IWashington's colored coachmen-or
a driver just as good.
Especial to the World
Woodbridge, N. j., April 20.
Gen. George Washington, accom-
panied by his suite, arrived here to-
night. tone hundred years ago. and
took quarters at the Cross Keys
Inn, kept by John Manning, where
elaborate preparations had been
made for his reception. At s o'clock
tonight, the hour the party of the
President-elect reached here a CEN
fury ago, the coach of The Worlds
Washington Centennial Expedition
lrolled into town. On every hand
were evidences of the great age of
7the little community. No less than
three hotels that were standing
when Washington went through to
his Inauguration are still in an ex-
eellent state of preservation, though
none of them today furnish accom-
modations for mar and beast, as Of
yore. The old Cross Keys Inn. So
called from the quaint device that
formerly constituted its sign, is per-
haps in the best condition of the
three. 1t is a frame building, but
Its massive timbers are of oak,
strongly bolted together, and VIM
dow and door frames are after the
generous fashion of a period long
since departed. The inn was origin
ally covered with shingles, but not
many years ago these were removed
to make place for weather-boards,
when it was found that time and
! storms had worn them as thin and
smooth as paper,
The Generals Reception.
Washington made another early
start this morning, but it was only
in getting out of bed, where he rare
Iy remained a moment after day
light. All the leading citizens OF
Princeton and the surrounding
towns and villages gathered at the
residence of DIR. Wftherspoon TIC
ahake hands with the President
: elect. Gen. Washington good-hu-
moredly stood on his feet for three
hours after breakfast to receive
Everybody who cared to come, and
1t is not recorded that he employed
I any ushers to stand by his side and
shout step along lively there. Keep
on the crash. Don't walk on the
carpet. Step lively!'" This method
of receiving callers, which now pre-
walls at the White House, had not
been ~inaugurated.
After Washington had shaken the
hands of the last caller he sum
moned Bishop from the inn across
the way and ordered the carriage to
be brought tol the door. BLACK
Sam" speedily had the horses in
harness, and, as Mr.. Thompson and
Col. Humphreys eswung themselves
into their saddles, the little postil-
ion cracked his long whip and the
eavalcade started on another days
Journey. The road to Brunswick,
where dinner would be had, lay
through a beautiful stretch of coun-
try. On either side Of the road were
meadows of emerald green, dotted
with daffodils and yellow %crocuses,
while here and there picturesque
zigzag fences guarded budding
peach orchards. In those days the
peach crop had not acquired the bad
habit of failing on the slightest
~provocation, and when Washington
/ QIOFS " tCh Tie ell do
sweet with the perfume of peach
! blossoms.
Washington Shoes A Horse.
Up hill and down dale the party
rode. now and then pausing to cross
a ford or to water the horses at q
roadside trough. When yet several
miles from Brunswick the horse
ridden by "Blaek Sam" cast a shoe.
a mile or SO further up the road was
an old smithy, presided over by a
wiry old fellow who had enjoyed "a
monopoly of the business for many
years back. Here the carriage
stopped and the smith was ehal-
lenged by a balloon from Bishop to
set another shoe. Business hap
pened to be a trife dull and the old
imam was enjoying a MONDAY nap.
Being summarily aroused by Bish-
op, who almost walked his horse
| over his PROSTATE form as he lay
sleeping In the sun, the old fellow
got up in an exceedingly bad tenn
per and set about his work In a
most hungling fashion. Washington
watched him as long as his patience
lasted and then Selling a hammer,
he pushed the smith from his place
and nailed the shoe on in the most
skifful and artistic fashion. George
had learned the art from one of the
most expert smiths in the country
who used to ply his trade on the
Alexandria turnpike, near Gum
Spring. The use OF tools came ma
turally to Washington, and 1t is rec
orded that he once Invented and
manufactured a very ~serviceable
plough and harrow, which are still
preserved on the old estate at
Mount Vernon.
At Brunswick Washington was
met by the veteran William Living
ston. war governor OF the state of
New Jersey, and after a hearty din
ner at the City Tavern the party
rode on towards Woodbridge. The
foundations and timbers Of the old
tavern at Brunswick still stand and
we're Inspected by The World COM
misslon today. but time has made
many changes In the external APP
pearance OF the building, and IT Is
doubtful II Gen. Washington would
recognize the City Tavern In the
present City Hotel. corner Of Albany
ana Nelson streets.