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SATURDAY March 27 , 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels March 15, 2004 Food & History The naked president Jeff Cheek John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the United States. He is also the first, and only, president to be interviewed by a female reporter while he was buck naked. It was her idea, not his. Her name was Anne Royall, but her critics called her "the widow with a serpent's tooth." She was born into grinding poverty in Baltimore in 1769, but grew up on the frontier in western Pennsylvania. In 1788 she found work as a housemaid in the home of Major William Royall, a Revolutionary War veteran and wealthy planter. She was 18, he in his mid-forties at the time. There is considerable evidence that she was also his mistress. Royall was not only her lover but her tutor. He improved her writing skills and insisted that she read Voltaire, Shakespeare, histories and biographies. On May 4, 1798 he scandalized his family by marrying the former servant. The union lasted until Royall's death, 16 year later, leaving her a wealthy widow. Anne loaded a carriage with her books and clothing and set out on a ten-year odyssey through the United States. She wrote scathing reports about any corruption or malfeasance she discovered in her travels. Another favorite target was the evangelical movement then sweeping the nation. She demanded that a wall be erected between church and state, in accordance with the 1st Amendment. Her late husband had been a Freemason. When the fundamentalists attacked the Masons, she fought back, defending his freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, and her freedom of the press guaranteed by the same amendment. She once refused a $2,000 bribe to withdraw one of her stories. Meanwhile, her husband's niece contested the will, and won. Anne lost everything except her talent as a writer. A zealous Christian in Burlington, Vt., pushed her down a flight of stairs. She was bedridden for months but not silenced. The Freemasons of New York City held a benefit to raise money for their penniless champion. In 1824 she moved to Washington, D.C. She found a house near the capital and started a four-page newspaper, the "Paul Fry." Its motto: "No Party! The welfare and happiness of our country is our politics." She crusaded to end flogging in the Navy and for better working conditions. The "Paul Fry" was published until 1836, when she changed it to "The Huntress" a slightly less strident tabloid. Anne Royall had repeatedly asked President Adams for an interview but each request was denied. Adams was a creature of habit. He arose at 5 each morning, walked a mile to the Potomac River, went swimming, then walked back to the White House for breakfast. She ambushed him. While he was swimming she stole his clothes. When he swam back, she demanded an interview. Adams offered one later, but she insisted on one, NOW! Standing neck deep in the river, Adams answered questions for half an hour. Anne returned his clothes and hurried back to write her story. When she died Oct. 4, 1854 Anne was buried in the Congressional Cemetery. There was no money for a headstone so the final resting place of this remarkable woman is unknown. The Naked President's favorite food was chicken croquettes. Ingredients; 3 cups cold cooked chicken 3 slices ham 2 cups bread crumbs 1 teaspoon mustard 1 teaspoon catsup 1/2 stick butter 2 egg yolks, beaten Preparation; Finely chop or grate meat. Add butter, mustard, catsup and half the bread crumbs. Add desired amount of nutmeg, salt and pepper. Knead well and shape into lemon sized cakes. Dip in egg yolk, roll in remaining bread crumbs, fry until golden brown. Serve warm. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: The new search is here! Click here for more information. .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - ODOT Road Cams