special train

In 1841, American Vice-President John Tyler was playing marbles with his boys at home when he heard of President Harrison's death. He became the tenth president of the United States.

Tyler had been chosen by the Whigs to run for Vice-President, but after becoming president he alienated the Whigs by vetoing one bill after another passed by the Whigs in Congress. He was eventually expelled from the Whig Party.

Once, he decided to take a trip and sent his son Bob to order a special train. The railroad superintendent, a devout Whig, told Bob that he did not run special trains for presidents. "What!" cried Bob, "didn't you furnish a special train for the funeral of President Harrison?" "Yes," said the superintendent. "And if you will bring your father here in that shape, you shall have the best train on the road!"