Evening star., 1926-09-26
OLD WHITE HOUSE COACTIMAN
FINDS SOLACE IN MEMORIES
Tells of President Arthur's
Poker Levees Lasting
Until 5 Am.
From Box Seat He Viewed
Life at Its Height in Hey
day of Capital. A.

Memories Of Washington in its
Victorian heyday, have been painted
vividly anew by a survivor Of the era
4 antimaca ssor and crinoline, Thomas
smith. octogenarian coachman eX-
traordinary to President Arthur and a
lost of other notables. who occupied.
or over quarter century following
the Civil War, box seat in the
world of fashion in the Capital.
Tom Smltl, veteran exponent of
nutton.cfop whiskers and cockade,
now keeps bachelor quarters in a
stable in the rear of 112i n street
the property Of the widow Of Admiral
- rman, VINO was paymaster gen
eral OF the Navy in President Grants
-irne. There. among the ancient relics
OF carriages and harness, In the
shadow of mansions famous for their
.ospitality IN bygone days, Smith sits
IN tattered Morris chair musinc
over privations Of prohibition, the ex.
motion of the horse and tha gories
If another day.
Picture to yourself an evening In
the early eighties four Morgan bays
,arnessed to republican, setting out
from the White House portico, with
Chester Alan Arthur and Tom Smith
;nsconced in the tonneau, bound for
says he would often wait until {
o'clock in the morning for his master.
who was enjoying the hospitality of
ONE friend.
Discreet in Their Vices.
Gambling, drinking and flirting, all
we're recognized proprieties in those
.ialScoh days, but these were in
Iuiged in always with dlgnified gal
aiill! according u smith. Wash
iston society was confined to a
small cultured clique whose mem
eers were all equally naughty and
'eaithy.' Tom reports n-course
,iInnsrs laid tor "A guests. with like
lumoer OF Nintages OF vines. Smith
,as an eyewitness from the pantry
s.ue lines, not only in the Presidents
household. but In that OF the late
senator W. NJ. Stewart of Nevada.
ma James G. Blaine, Speaker Of the
House.
senator Stewart. who employed
smith as his coachman and conf
lante for 2. Years. owned a large
airing Of horses and was a lavish
penuef. ] he Coachman had imme-
i!ate charge OF four groons. a dozen
horses. and an assortment of stylish
carriages. lie Joined the Senator's
4etinue back in 1855. Tom has a
zen memory. The old Stewart cas-
lie on Dupont Circle. built by Bob
fleming in 1872. was the scene Of
great balls given by Mrs. Stewart.
Mrs. Stewart, stickler for etiquette
md correct &. >ss. also was consi1
.red an expert .Iorsewonlan, and was
seen every day driving her four in
and about the city.
When Miss Bessie Stewart was
carried to Lieut.. Hooker. the son of
zen. Hooker, the Senator presented
he bridegroom with a million dollars.
The wedding reception was held in
he old Masonic hall. An arch Of
iowers extended from the curb to the
entrance. and song birGs imported
from New York for the occasion
"hirped Justify from the rafters. Mrs.
Hooker still survives. a grand dame
y the Old regime.
Few Of Old Regime Left.
Very few Of the old aristocracy are
left now. according 10 Smith. Mrs.
Calvin Carlisle. who lives on ! street,
princess Of the old school, he says.
who conducts her household with the
ceremonial and celia, Of tfe nineteenth
century. Senator Stewart was hand
some man. a sartorial expert OF the