Page 42 - MAY 2020 Barbecue News Magazine

James Knox Polk, 1845-1849 Polk is considered the first political dark house to reach the White House. He is the only elected official to have been served as Speaker of the House and as U.S. President. Polk was consid- ered as an extension to Andrew Jackson policies and was nicked named “Little Hickory”. Polk was no stranger to southern food. As a boy growing up on the North Carolina frontier, he reportedly ate black bear steaks and barbecued deer. Like other frontier families he favored basic country fare, such as smoked Tennessee ham and corn pone. At a formal state diner in New Orleans he took something on his plate to be polite but as soon as he had a chance, he asked one of the servants for some “corn bread and smoked ham”.
He favored the American mindset of “Manifest Destiny” and signed the Treaty of Guadalupe ending the Mex- ican American War and gained the territory that became Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming. He also and settled northern boundary dispute with Great Brit- ten for Oregon and Washington. It was during this time that West was Won with the start of cattle drives and of course the famous chuck wagons where the great western BBQ traditions began. B.Q. Score: 4
Photo credit: Maroon
Zachary Taylor, 1849-1850 Taylor was born in the south into an aristocratic family but disliked slavery and identi- fied more with the common man. He was a career solider and avoided politics until he was thrust into national at- tention and eventually elected president. He fought in many wars and achieved national hero sta- tus by defeating Santa Anna in the Mexican American War. The nation was emotionally united by the constant news reports from the battle front. When Taylor defeated the Mexican Army, it was cause for immediate celebration. A grand procession
and barbecue of over 40,000 people gathered in the streets on New York City to celebrate his victory. Being a military hero, he was invited to many BBQ events held in his honor. Another grand barbecue was held at Pass Christian Hotel in Mississippi where he received the US Congressional Gold Metal. Zachary “Rough and Ready” Taylor died suddenly after only 16 months in office. He had attended a 4th of July celebration earlier in the day then later ate some cher- ries and iced milk before returning to the White House. He started having severe stomach pains and died 5 days later from complications. Taylor’s last meal was a 4th of July barbecue celebration. B.Q. Score: 4
President of the United States
Collection: Cornell University Collection of Politcal Americana, Cornell University Library
Photo credit: Cornell University
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