Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-08


mansion has been the central Setting-a silent
reminder of all our great wars except the
Revolution; of many of our greatest gala occa-
sionS, and. alas, of some CT our saddest occa-
Siops as well.
The ringing laughter of children and the
enthusiastic gladneSs of their Seniors indeed
have only too frequently-som without
even a moments warning-given way to be-
reavement and mourning only too soon to be
forgotten in turn by the thousands who an
nually enter its doors bent almost entirely upon
pleasure.
Being right the ground, SO to speak, it
might correctly be assumed that we Washing
tonianS picture in our minds much more
wildly than does the stranger or visitor the
events occurring in this stately edifice during
our recolections, some even going back as faT
as the marriage of Nellie Grant, and to the
funeral held for President Lincoln, when the
Nations heart may be truly said to have beer
bowed down by weight of woe.
The recent death of Secretary Good at Walter
Reed Hospital and his funeral services from
the White House but remind the writer of 6
number CT similar sad uses to which this cele-
brated building and its East Room have been
put, not only during cur time, but even
since the death there of the ninth President
William Henry Harrison, which occurred in
1871, and largely, it is said, from his being wor-
ried to death by Office seekers, as there were
for some places as many as dozen applicants.
L. A. Gobright tells of an amusing incident
which shows the extent to which this unrea-
sonable desire for Office was carried at that
time.
T seems that a certain Martin Renehan,
known for his intelligence wit and warm
heartedneSS, was IAN usher for the President,
being hold-over from the administrations of
Jackson and Van Buren, and that upon a
number of occasions very polite, elderly man.
of genteel appearance made frequent visits TO
the White House fOr of he
President privately. His manner so appealed
to Martin that he finally told him that if he
would come some morning at o'clock he would
make an effort to crafty his desire Mr.. Co.
bright tells us:
THE visitor was punctual to the time Gen.
Harrison was an early riser. Martin went up
stairs gently and tapped at his door. Having
received an invitation to enter, he did So The
general was sitting the crate, in which
were few expiring Goals. Is it possible Mar
tin said the weather being cold that you have
no more flre?' He replied Martin, when at
home was accustomed to wood fire, and if
had wood now I'd replenish this fire myself
as do not wish to call up my colored man
(the one he had brought with him from Ohio.
Martin responded that he would supply the
requisite fuel and added An elderly gentle
man, sir, has been repeatedly calling here. He
is OF respectable appearance and unasSuming
in his manners, and has elected my sympa-
thies. I therefore take the liberty of asking
whether you will now give him private audi
ence?'
Where is he?
I'm the green ROOM replied Martin
Show him up said the President
Martin accordingly showed him up and re-
tired in order to give the stranger the full
benefit of a strictly private interview When
the visitor had taken his departure Martin re-
turned to the Presidents room.
Martin said the President, you have been
kind to that man.
81 have; took him by the hand
=" Are you aware asked the President, that
he is looking for your placer
Martin replied: Your Excellency I expected
to go, as am opposed to you in politics.
Gen Harrison said: John Quincy Adams
told me all about you, and as long as I remain
in the White House, the cabinet even can't
remove you
"Renehan responded: I am the last Martin
in the nest, and thought you were going to
put me to flight
oh, no. the President replied, two Mar
tins have already been banished from this house
meaning Martin Van Buren, and his son. and
it would be bad luck to Danish YOU the only
remaining Martin. So you remain, and nestle
in the battlements.'"
president HARRISON did not live long %
enjoy-or occupy whichever way you may
care to put 1.-THE chief office of the land but
died just one month to the day after his in
auguration; his death being the first so far as
the writer knows to have taken place in the
White House, and his funeral was the first one
from there as well. Harking back more than
80 years, we find the details Of his death chroni-
cled in the National Intelligencer of April s
1884, follows:
president William Henry Harrison died at
the Presidents House, in this city, this fourth
day OF April, Ammo Domini 1841, at thirty
minutes before one o'clock in the morning
g" The week before last pursuing the