Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-04-03
WASHINGTON Letter
BY HERBERT C. PLUMMER

WASHINGTON, April 3.-President Hoover's de-
c-sion to abolish the white house stables marks the
formal passing of what rightly might be called in
this country the sport Of presidents.
For most Of the past presidents have oeen fond Of
the noble quadruped, and some have been expert
horsemen. It is true that since the days Of Roose-
welt, the white house stables have declined in pop
ularity. However, it was not so long ago when the
ride on horseback or the carriage spin was a definite
part Of every presidents daily program.
Washington was the greatest horseman OF them
al. His dark grey mount "Blueskin" was his ~favorite,
and the first president never passed up an op-
portunity to indulge in his love Of horses. John
Adams was not particularly enamored Of horses, but
Thomas Jefferson had fine ones. He rode his
favorite "WiId Air" to Washington for his inaug-
uration, and the hours from l to 8 o'clock every day
were given over to riding.
#**
EANCY CARRIAGE
John Quincy Adams often walkel to Holmead track,
two miles from the white house, to enjoy a race.
Jackson was reared on the bark of a horse. "Old
Hickory" paid $4,000 for a coach for his wife.
Van Buren, had a carriage Of dark olive which was
ornamented with brass trimmings. He always in
sisted that they be polished until they shone like
gold.
Harrison declined to use a handsome carriage and
four beautiful horses presented him by the wings
Of Baltimore, and he rode his own horse to his in
auguration. Tyler bought a secondhand carriage
from Paulding, secretary Of the navy under Van
Buren,, and Polk rode in a carriage decorated IN
dark olive with gold borders. The cushions were
deep crimson trimmed with lace. The curtains were
blue and red. Four horses pulled it through the
streets Of Washington.
Zachary Taylor rode about the capital on the
I'D snow white horse that carried him through the
Mexican war. Pierce owned a horse as blind as a
stone wall which he ode around Washington.
rNCOTN HAD MACS
Buchanan paid $500 for a set Of harness studded
with IS silver BIS in different places. Abraham Lin
coins horses were describer by his coachnan as being
"a poor lot" Andrew Johnson bought his horses
from those sold by the army at the close of the
Civil War.
Grant was a great lover of horses. He had three
which particularly appealed to him. They were
named Cincinnati" Egypt" and "Jeff Davis"
Eaves and Garfield were not interested in horses.
Chester A. Arthur kept snowy teams and beautiful
saddle horses, while Grover Clevelant owned a team
Of seal browns. Harrison and Mckinley were con-
tent with the smart carriages and teams provided
bv the government.
Roosevelt was one of the presidents who loved
horses. He may be classed with Washington, jack
son and Taylor. He smashed all records by riding
from Washington to Warrenton, Va, and return
a distance of go miles in II hours.
Taft's rides were infrequent, and Wilson was In the
saddle only a few times. Harding went riding once
in Washington and on another occasion while visit
ing in the mountains near Hagerstown. Coolidge
rode only once while in Washington.
Wise farmers will not allow that special farm re-