The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1917-09-15
THE WHITE HOUSE
Many Presidents Left II Without
a Pang Of Regret
GLAD TO ESCAPE ITS CARES.


jefferson, with Tears II HI. Gyss,
Voiced His Joy In Returning 70 HE
Glover Fisids-Jehnsen A'ss Depart.
I'd with Feelings Of Dssp Relief.
The varied circHwstances under
which presidents Of the United States
left Washington following the ending
Of their terms of ONCE 10 interesting.
for no two followed exactly the same
course. Each presidents manner Of
farewell depended upon his tempera-
ment or upon bis success IN once.
Washington and John Adams and JEFF
fcrson all said farewell with gladness
In their hearts. for each of these was
well along in life at the time. and each
was glad to lay down the formalities
of public office.
John Quincy Adams, like his father
before him. did not wait to Witness the
Inauguration of bis successor. Thomas
Jefferson, after two terms In the White
House. said. with tears In his eyes.
that he was glad beyond expression to
return to the .clOver fields OF his farm
at Monticello"
Andrew jackson left the White
House without regret. Not that he was
tired Of serving bis country. but that
age was creeping upon him and the
mental and physical strain Of public
life was beginning to tell upon his gen.
eral health.
President Van Buren, left the White
House ON foot. becoming thus Of 4 sud
den once more an ordinary citizen. the
transition taking place with ~ much
apparent indifference ~ was his COM
ing to the White House. An Albany
newspaper Of the time relates that ION
Monday. March !. large number Of
the Democracy called upon Mr.. Van
buren and were received by him In the
celebrated east room, where he bid
them farewell. He walked down the
avenue today March 4, a. unconcern-
ed as the most humble spectator In the
crowd"
President Tyler. before leaving the
White House. engaged quarters at
Washington hotel and, after welcom-
ing his successor. President Polk.
drove to his temporary home with Mrs.
Tyler. President johnson. beset by en-
emies whose attacks had continued to
harass him all during his term Of ONCE.
left the White House with feelings Of
deep relief. Reporters Of that day tell
rs how, on the Sd of March. 1859. the
day before General Grant came to the
White HoulA '.at u O'Clock President
Johnson's private reception room was
thrown open to an immense throng Of
visitors. The president was In the
room and shook hands with al the vis-
itors, many Of whom seemed much At
fected. being personal friends"
When President Hayes took his DE-
parture from the white House he ~
NAMED for q short time In Washington
~ tho guest Of Senator Sherman. SEC
rotary Of the treasury. and of Mr.. Gut-
ton. The evening before President
Harrison's leavetaking his daughter.
Mrs. Mckee, held farewell reception
The majority Of the presidents have
accompanied their successors to the
capitol to be sworn In. departing after
ward in their own private carriages.
Many Of them later revisited the White
House. but the most striking Of these
revisits wess those of President Grant
and Benjamin Harrison. 1t was more
than twelve years after his second term
that Grant paid his visit to the White
House. It was during President Ar
thurs term. He arrived there I'M.
announced and was wandering about
the building renewing old acquaint-
ances. when he was taken In hand BY
Thomas rendel. the head doorkeeper.
who had occupied the same position
during the Grant administration.
While President Mckinley was the
tenant Of the White House he was one
day approached by one Of the ushers.
who said: Mr.. President ex-President
Harrison 10 in the east room Just to
look around and says not to disturb
you" Mr.. Mckinley at the time was
holding = cabinet meeting. which be
instantly adjourned and went to the n
ception room to welcome General Har-
rison and bis wife. They spent = pleas
ant hour with the president and MrsL
Mckinley in their private apartments.
fan Francisco Chrouicls.