davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-18
The White House Kennels Are N0zv Empty for the FUM
Time Since Harding N(@ President But Many Famous Dogs
Haze Occupied These "Ro)M Quarters" in This and Past
ADMINISTRATORS Is Story of the Pets of Presidents
WHo Haze Captured Public Fancy and Helped Make History

Upper, left: President Wilson's prize sheep on the
White House lawn. Center: Portrait of Mrs Calvin
Coolidge with her famous white collie, Rob Roy, by
Howard Chandler Christie, which hangs in the White
House Underwood & Underwood). Upper, right:
Mrs Coolidge the White House steps with Prudence
Prm, of her two snowwhte collies and Paul Pry,
the aredae Underwood & Underwood). Left center:
Winks President Roosevelts wire-haired terrier, who
committed the worst canine crime in White House
history when he stole into the servants dining
morning and sobbled up 10 orders of ham and eggs.
Photo shows him polishing off the last plate under.
wood & Underworld. Left, oval Rebecca the rae.
coon, presented to President Coolidge Underwood
Underwood). Right, oval: Weesie, the Norwegian
ekhound, halfpin rascal that the Hoover hearts
Wide Word). Right, center: Laddie Boy giving
official welcome to his birthday cake. The. magnificent
aredale of the beloved White House pets
that lived Yet he finally had be depored for
biting dignitaries Underwood & Underwood). Lower,
let's Unuckiest dog to command the White House
kennels is the claim to fame of Major shown with DIR.
d. E. Buckingham, veterinarian just before opera
ton in 1888. The police dog favorte of President
Roosevelt, suffered operations, broke his Leg and
finally had to be deported to Hyde Park for swapping
visitors (Wide.World). Lower, right: Mr. and Mrs.
Hoover and King Tut their beloved police dog (Under
wood & Underwood).
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-18

his pets conduct and, it is said, he
had one of the best laughs of many
day. Later in the morning he
repeated the story to some callers. He
said: 1.-THE only reason Winks didn't
get away with the coffee was because
it hadn't been poured"
At the time of the crime Winks
wasn't quite year old. He had an
imposing pedigree and up to this time
his behavior was exemplary. While
he committed a grave offense by loot
ing the White House lunch room, he
wasn't punished.
But Winks didn't nnger long in his
historic environment. Less than five
months after his hunger march the
setter got involved in peculiar crash.
He was playing on the White House
lawn with another dog belonging to a
secret service man. Suddenly Winks
got all excited about the fun he was
having and failed to keep his eyes
front. He cracked into an iron fence
and died of conclusion of the brain.
4iC pup INV 1Coto III q okCSAoA SoAAAAAS
coffin in Rosedale Dog Cemetery, Sill
yer Spring. Md.
For months after Winks' demise
Pal was the only occupant Of the OH
cial kennels. The dog, an American
bull terrier, belonged to Gus Gen
nerich, a personal bodyguard OF the
President.
Less than two weeks after Winks
said good-by, Pal ran into bad luck.
Late in July, 1884, he became affected
by the heat. He ran amuck about the
south grounds and the policemen and
other attendants became alarmed for
fear the terrier was actually mad. DR..
Buckingham was notified. One of his
assistants arrived and assured one and
all the dog simply was suffering from
the heat. Pal had leaped into the
Presidents swimming pool, which at
the time was empty of water, and was
found there when the veterinarian ar
rived. After sojourn Of day or SO
in the canine hospital Pal was pro-
nounced o. K. But pretty soon Cen
nerich gave him away. 4
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-18

came from the Wisconsin kennels
where Rob was born. Despite the
newcomer, given the name of Prudence
Prim by Mrs. Coolidge, Rob seems
to have maintained claim to the Presi-
dents affections. Mrs. Coolidge ap-
pears to have been fonder Of Pru-
dence.
Really Prudence was distinguished.
She and Rob Roy we're great pals.
Prudence was the constant companion
of Mrs. Coolidge. following her all
around the house and sleeping by
her bed or on her couch at night.
The lady collie's drawing room man
ners were perfect. Often she was
invited TO tea, where she achieved
exactly the correct manner-friendly,
but not familiar. Prudence languished
in 1927.
Though Mrs. Coolidge seemed to
prefer Prudence she had her portrait
painted with Rob Roy. He died late
in the Coolidge administration to be
deeply mourned by his master and
mistress. Rob was buried at Walter
Reed Hospital by the side of Prudence.
A MOTHER Coolidge favorite was
Paul Pry, frisky airedale and
half-brother of President Harding's
Laddie Boy. Paul was big overgrowu,
awkward puppy when first he entered
the White House. Mrs. Coolidge tied
him to a leash and managed to calm
him down somewhat. Nevertheless he
never quite got over the habit Of DASH
ing and galloping.
Paul Pry's buddy for a while was
Peter Pan, magnificent wire-haired
terrier. Unfortunately he was so high
strung and nervous that he soon was
deported to quieter household. Short
~ afterward Paul Pry also was
given away because of his mischievous
and frohckSome habits. In Paul'S
place the First Lady adopted Tiny Tim,
red chow puppy. Actually he was
birthday present for Mr.. Coolidge. But
the very moment Mrs. Coolidge laid
eyes on the pup she claimed him for
her own. Tiny Tim was barely thl'W
months old at the time Mrs. Cool
idge, herself rugged up wooden box
for him with soft blanket in it. Tim
later became member Of the Coolidge
household at Northampton, Mass
Other well-known Coolidge dogs
were: Diana, white collie; King Cole,
black Belgian police dog, and Bessie,
a yellow collie.
President Harding's Laddie Boy,
probably the best known Of any white
House dog, became well nigh a ma
tional pet. A huge statue Of the mag
nificent airedale was cast from pennies
contributed by newsboys all over the
country and is exhibited today in the
Smithsonian Institution.
Laddie Boy went to the White House
on March 4. 1921, a gift to President
Harding from an Ohio admirer. One
Of the airedale's unusual traits was his
foundness for coffee with sugar and
cream, q trait acquired at the Execu-
tive Mansion.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-18

I president ROOSEVELT became
extremely fond of Tiny. big,
shaggy English sheep dog presented to
the White House way back in the
early Spring of 1893. 1t was the orig
inal intention of the Chief Executive
to send Tiny to the Roosevelt farm at
Warm Springs, Ga. Before so doing,
however, he was turned over to Ad-
miral and Mrs. Cary T. Grayson, close
friends, to keep temporarily, as doubt
had arisen over the advisability Of
sending such a heavy-coated dog to
such a warm climate. Until final
decision has been made as to his fu-
ture, Tiny will remain with the Gray
sons.
The Hoovers kept eight dogs, not
all at one time, but during the course
OF their residence in the White House.
King Tut, the Presidents favorite, was
magnificent Belgian police dog,
raised from pup by the Hoovers.
Tut assumed the throne of the White
House kennels when his master and
mistress moved from their S street
home to 1900 Pennsylvania avenue.
So faithfully and religiously did Tut
assume the task of patrolling the reg
ularly assigned beats of the policemen
about the rear grounds that he
thought Of nothing else. He gave up
all thought of play and paid little at
tention to meals or sleep.
Tut never learned to relax. Toward
the end Of his canine dictatorship of
the White House he did his guardian
work a little too well. At least he was
too serious. Pretty soon it was not
safe for workmen or others to present
themselves on the rear grounds. So
that Tut had to be watched ever so
carefully. But when he was muzzled,
that was the last straw. Shortly
afterward, at the age of 8, he pinned
away and died.
Mrs. Hoover's favorites were the in
separable pair, Weegie, the frohcsome
and playful little Norwegian elkhound,
and Pat, q police dog. They appeared
with the First Lady In photograph
on her Christmas cards fer 1882 and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-18

he lacked good breeding. He was
born with an amiable disposition,
good looks, but tramp blood. Blackie,
the other White House tomcat, had
princely manners, an imposing ped
igree and for time, at least, be-
haved like a saint. Certainly he
looked the part of Presidents pet.
Besides Blackie never strayed away.
He not only seemed proud of his
home and its historic surroundings
but looked with disdain and disgust
upon those common things beyond
the bounds of the White House
grounds.
IT Is not known just how the tramp,
Tige, became a White House cat
in the first place. No one recalled
how or when he first appeared on
the scene. 1t was soon after Mr..
Coolidge moved into the Executive
Mansion, and all that any one knows
of the event was that Tige just came.
That's all. He wandered onto the
grounds, and refused to leave. Event
ually he went on one of his noe
turnal excursions and never came
back. Ironically enough. the high
brow Blackie finally turned vicious.
All of a sudden he started proving
around the White House grounds
killing squirrels and rabbits. He was
also blamed for the demise of num-
Der of birds. So eventually he was
banished.
One of Mr.. Coolidge's closest COM
panions was Boy Roy, the snow-white
collie which supplanted the Harding
Laddie Boy as canine boss Of the
White House.
Bob quickly worked himself into the
affection Of the President. Often
when his master retired to his Office
after luncheon, the handsome collie
trotted along to take a snooze in
front of the fireplace, curl up in a
leather chair at the Presidents elbow
or look out Of the window, yearning,
perhaps. for a run around the yard
or out in the street where he wouldn't
have to observe White House rules
Of etiquette.
Rob Roy got excited when he spied
any of the squirrels which scampered
around the grounds. He frequently
made a dash for one but always gave
up the chase after a sharp reprimand
from his master.
Mr.. Coolidge seldom went for
week end cruise aboard the yacht
Mayflower without taking Rob along
and he was forever the Presidents
shadow at the Executive Mansion.
Even during mealtime the faithful
collie generally was near the chair
Of his master, and always he profited
to the extent of getting choice morsels
Of food.
For a while after returning from
Swampscott, Mass, the presidential
recreation retreat In 1925, Rob Roy
was lonesome. His playmate, Paul
Fry, the snappy airedale, had been
turned over to the Marines for dis
obedience. But another collie, also
white. but somewhat smaller. soon
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-18
By James Nevin Miller.

| had trick through which he was
frequently misunderstood He walked
up to each visitor, took his wrist
quietly but firmly in his teeth and
scrutinized him before he let him
go. This made Major unpopular with
some visitors. But really he didu' t
mean any harm. 1t was presumably
part of his training as an alert police
dog.
Unfortunately, Major brought his
fake bite" with him to Washington
and it was sadly out of keeping with
his newly acquired title of America
No. dog. What had been regarded
as joke at worst in Albany was
nothing short of serious canine
crime in the White House
Poor Major! He soon found that
dogs life is just that in the Execu-
tive Mansion. Only few days after
Mr.. Roosevelt took Office in March,
1888, the hapless dog started his long
series of crimes by biting Senator
Hattie Caraway of Arkansas on the
arm while she was attending a Roose-
welt party. Later he tore Prime Min
lister Ramsay McDonald's trousers
during the British statesmans visit
to Washington. And, just for variety,
he broke his leg soon afterward and,
barely recovered from that, had to
have an operation on his back.
One day early that September Major
nipped another stranger and was i'm
prisoned in the dog house near the
south portico for several days. And
when finally released he was further
Inundated by being forced to wear
a muzzle. The very last straw was
an incident that occurred some weeks
later. A certain Washingtonian was
passing the White House when he
saw Major cavorting about on the
other side of the fence. The man
reached through to pat the dog. Major
responded by biting his hand Seven
stitches were necessary. Small wonder
That the German shepherd finally was
deported to Hyde Park.
Even so, Major has a better record
than some Of his White House prede-
cessors. The prize for annoying
visitors still belongs to Pete, pet bull
dog of Teddy. Roosevelt. One fine
day Pete turned on French Ambas-
Sador Jusserand and tore out part of
that distinguished diplomats trousers.
Straightway the Ambassador sought
safety in the low-hanging limbs of
nearby tree.
MR.. HARDING'S Laddie Boy nipped
" at dignitaries and finally was
sent away. Mr.. Hoover had Sham
rock, a great Irish wolfhound that
bit so many White House police and
Marine guards at Rapidan camp that
he had to be destroyed.
Besides housing all these biting
dogs, the Executive Mansion has
served as a veritable menagerie Of
pets of almost every conceivable sort.
'Mr. Taft. kept COW, named Pauline,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-18

TOR the first time since the
l. administration of Warren G.
Harding the White House ken
L nels are empty. Not single
bow-wow has enjoyed the luxury of
Americas mo. l" dog apartment
house for 10, these many months.
The reasons are not far to seek
First, President Roosevelt has made
no secret of the fact that he doesn't
like the present kennel set-up and will
not maintain any canine pets until
there's a new deal in kenneldom.
Which is not at all strange when you
realize that the kennels are located in
the hottest part of Washington, just
south Of the blue room in the east
grounds. Here the sun comes due
south and the direct rays of old Sol
are so mercilesS that oftentimes the
thermometer registers 100 degrees!
Furthermore, unlike most Presidents,
Mr.. Roosevelt isn't stroug for gift
dogs. An expert on CANNES himself,
he prefers to make his own personal
choice in every instance. So that the
scores of dogs of every breed and
description that are sent to 1900
Pennsylvania avenue from time to
time invariably are returned to their
senders Immediately or else given
away.
A final reason is the unfortunate
fact that an unprecedented amount of
bad luck Or i'll health has logged the
lot Of practically every one of the
aristocratic CANNES housed there since
hrst Mr.. Roosevelt entered the Execu-
tive Mansion back in March, 1888.
Major, giant police dog and the Presi-
dents favorite, and Meggie, wee
Scotch terrier and Mrs. Roosevelt's
pride and JOY, were banished a year
ago for biting and Major in addition,
broke his leg IN mysterious accident.
Winks, mischievous setter pup, was
involved in a weird crash and took a
quick trip to puppy heaven. Tiny,
enormous English shepherd, seemed
unhappy in his historic environment
and so was presented to a close friend
Of the Roosevelt's for at least tempo
rary guardianship; General Grant, q
gift bull pup, turned out to be a poor
mixer" and was given away; and
Jack and Jill, Irish settlers belonging
to the Presidents grandchildren,
Sistie and Buzzie Boettinger. were too
quiet and dignified for the exciting
life at the White House. So they
were sent to the peaceful, rural atmos-
phere Of Hyde Park.
Major, a handsome buff and black
German shepherd, trained for police
work, was presented to Mr.. Roosevelt
shortly after he was elected to the
presidency by a troop of New York
State Police. Majors address for a
few months was Krum Elbow, the
Roosevelt estate at Hyde Park.
THERE were several other police
dogs there and it was Majors job
% keep them In order. He himself
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-18

as a member Of the Kitchen cab
met" Mr.. Coolidge at various times
had a raccoon, donkey and couple
of frisky tomcats.
Probably the prize pets of them
all, however, were Mr.. Wilson's sheep.
During the World War DR.. Cary T.
Grayson, the Presidents physician,
bought for the White House lawn a
drove of sheep-fine, grass-eating,
wool producers-to NOW the lawn.
Mr.. Wilson wanted the animals to
save manpower when labor was
to the Enclosure just south of the
Mansion.
The Wilson sheep became famous
for their contributions to the Red
Cross. The President donated the
annual clip to the cause of that Or
ganization and at public auctions
some of the wool brought as high
as $40 pound.
In 1920, with conditions becoming
normal after the war, Mr.. Wilson de-
cided to dispense with the sheep and
gave them to L. C. Probert, then
superintendent of the Washington Bu-
reau of the Associated Press, for his
farm near Olney, Md. Some of them
still adorn the pastures, bringing forth
lambs and providing wealth Of fine
wool.
Getting back to present times-Meg-
gle, like Major, was brought to Wash
| ington from Hyde Park at the outset
of the Roosevelt administration. When
first she frolicked on the White House
lawn Meggie was years old and very
fat. And when she was taken for
a walk she always barked until she
reached the end of the first block,
after which her department was most
dignified. She liked to sleep in fire.
places, loathed the resultant baths
and never made fuss over any one
except Mrs. Roosevelt.
Some one gave her bright red
collar for Christmas of '33, with a
silver plate on it, bearing the in
scription, "Meggie, the White House,
Washington" She wasn't much inter-
ested in this, however.
Meggies canine crime took place
over a year ago, when she snapped
at Buzzie and Sistie Boettinger, the
Presidents grandchildren. Soon she
was given away to DR.. D. E. Bucking-
ham, White House veterinarian. To-
day, he reports, the terrier is very
well behaved and not at all mean to
visitors.
WINES, tiny English setter. was
only a few months old when he
was presented to President Roosevelt
at Warm Springs, Ga, In the Fall Of
1888. When the setter had matured
somewhat he was brought to the
White House to replace Major. Since
Winks was the only dog In the ken
nels, you might suppose he would
behave himself. Instead, he got in
trouble almost from the very first.
On February 26, 1884, he was in dire
disgrace for having eaten the break
fasts set out in the servants dining
room for 10 servantsI
The 10 plates on the enormous
dining table were filled with steaming
bacon, eggs and toast when Winks
appeared in the doorway. No one
was in sight. In an unbelievably
short time he polished of every plate.
Winks had finished and was licking
his chops and beating a retreat Just
as the first Of the servants arrived
for the morning meal. And was he
embarrassed? He put his tail between
his legs, lowered his head and made
q speedy getaway.
President Roosevelt was ad$sed Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-18

THERE were several other police
- dogs there and it was Majors job
% keep them In order. He himself
The Redwood gazette., 1935-08-29

leaves the meats juicy or brings out the true
meat flavor. The electric unit produces broiled
meats which are deliciously tender, golden brown
in color, and rich in flavor.
The constant radiant heat of the electric unit
The Redwood gazette., 1935-08-29
FIFTY YEARS AGO
Walnut Grove

Mrs. Paul Nelson and daughter,
Alma and Mrs. Minnie Hendrick-
son and son, Robert and Miss
Peckham were guests at the Fred
Prail home Monday evening.
Mrs. Oswald Virgins of Min
neapolis came Wednesday for a
visit at the M. j. Virgins home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Kliest and
SON of Mankato visited at the
parental o. w. Gremmert home
Sunday.
Bert Addison, Myron Wigen and
son. Junior, and Mrs. Ed Klevan
went to Wheaton Monday to visit
Mrs. Martin Jacobs who broke her
shoulder some time ago. Rev. o.
J. Govig took them to Wheaton.
Rev. and Mrs. o. j. Govig and
family returned Thursday from
Bemidji.
Mrs. Curtis Engen and son in
company with her fathe rof Re-
we're visited relatives near James
vile over the weekend.
A parcel shower was given at
the Leslie McGinnis home Satur-
day for Miss Cecilia Logue.
Miss Wilma Olson who is en-
ployed at st. Paul spent the week
end at the A. w. Olson home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lou Christensen
and daughters were guests at the
Albin Klucking home Sunday eve
ring on their way to GAINESVILLE,
from WatertoWn, South Dakota.
The Redwood gazette., 1935-08-29

INDER THIS HEADING in the Septem
Der issue of American Magazine ap
pears an article on Governor Olson b,
John Janney which we recommend to read
ers, whether favorable or opposed to him, a
we'll worth reading. Following are the con
:luding paragraphs:
Most radicals are devout and solemn fell
lows of quite another cast. Olson, think, is
somewhat bored and uneasy in their presence
Consequently Olson finds his friends and social
life chiefly in the enemy camp. Two-isted
business men, rollicking reporters, lusty polite
ians-such people appeal to him. They are
more fun.
Hence the dualism.
It has often aided him in the past and
brought to his banner many who know nothing
of either farming or labor. In the future, if
circumstances put him into position to aspire
to national leadership, it will be danger.
Another danger is this: During his swift
career, and preoccupied by the infinite squab-
bles of local politics, Olson has never had time
to think through the complications of the chan
ges he proposes. He is not profound thinker
and his knowledge of economics is fairly primi-
tive
He needs to grow. Possibly a term in the
senate would be the very thing for him. It
would remove him from some Of his local boon
companions who are not doing him any good,
it would give him slant on the national scene,
and it would give him some time to invite his
soul and catch up on his homework.
I think he has potentialites as great as
any man in American politics, but don't think
he is yet mature. He may get chance at
third-party nomination in '36, but, if he does,
it will come too soon. For Olson, if all the
breaks are his way, it will be case of "Life
begins in 40"
The Redwood gazette., 1935-08-29

peoples names, without finishing
it," He had a good BACKER
with plenty of GOLD, and a
FOREMAN who could CARPEN-
TER as well as CUFF the
CROOKS around, and get WEIS
to their taking a KNAPP on the
job. (Even at that, it took
WEEKS to COOPER them out of
WOOD from some old BARNES
near the PARK.) But cheer up;
in a short time he will GOFORTH
to the LAKE, take in his
FISCHER SCHOUs, order his
COLE from the COLEMAN, ar
range for his FREYER to COOK
up a dish of GREEN PEASE,
CHERRYS and GOLDEN bantam
corn, and try to WINN our con-
fidence so he can BACKUS up to
the furnace to warm our BOOTEs,
without being BALL-ed out by
some SHOEMAKER.
And while on the subject of
names, anyone OTTO know that
SOMMERS no time for LEE
WINTER to SPRING such FALL
stuff, before MARCH and after
MAY has gone off with AUGUST
to get JUNE. Well I SWAN, it
will sure be BLISS if this MANN
doesn't get RUDER than usual,
and start to HATCH up something
to inspire more stuff like this, or
we will want to grab KLEA-
YER, get over in the second
WARD, NASH our teeth and call
for help. And DUEA need it?
-f-f-
Dear Mr.. Fobes: The Lam needs
you too. School is starting and
we will have to get along without
any VEIN in our LACHER. And
we heard that a DAHL of a teach
er, coming to Redwood Falls on a
ten TONN BUSSE got stuck in
the MYHRE. We hate to see her
delayed because she is said to have
a beautiful SHANK and be quite
HOPPE.
-f-f-
And for a honey of a first name
we offer L. ]. Kisses which is
Lauritz.
Walt Nichols delivered an un-
kindly blow the other day when c.
H. Burmeister announced that he
was about to take a trip to Fair
fax. "While you're over there"
says Walt, "Tell Rueben Sell to
come to Redwood Falls and sell
me a car"