Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-10-06
Madison, Sept. 80.

4hodlSOhs SSpt. oVs
The nomination of Theodore Roose-
welt for governor of New York recalls
the visit of that distinguished gentle
man to Madison early in 1898. Mr..
Roosevelt spent several days here
making researches in the State His
torical library for a work on the
northwest which he then had in hand
and was entertained while here by
Mr.. and Mrs. r. NJ. La Toilette, who
gave reception for him at their
home. Mr. Roosevelt was a member
Of the civil service commission during
Mr.. La F'ollette's last term in congress
but Mr.. La Toilette had met him pre-
ViOuSly in Washington and says that
as the popular New Yorker S royal
good fellow whom everybody must
like, had formed a strong friendship
for him. Mr.. Roosevelt was invited
to deliver the annual address before
the State Historical society and spoke
in the assembly chamber on the even
ing of Jan. "a 1898, on the Northwest
in the Nation. lie was introduced by
DR.. ]. d. Butler. The legislature be-
ing then in session, that body was in
vited to attend and most of the mem
bers were present. After the lecture
an informal reception was given Mr..
Roosevelt in the rooms of the library.
The interest lent Mr.. Roosevelt as a
prospective presidential candidate
also brings to mind the visits Of pres
idents, or men who became presidents,
to Madison. The most recent is that
of President Mckinley, who made a
political address in the university
gymnasium in 1894, and two years
previously addressed a crowd of TO-
900 people at the Monona Lake as
sembly.
Ex-President Cleveland was il
Madison in the fall of 1887, the guest
of ex-senator William F. Villas, and
enjoyed the fishing of Lake Mendoza.
One of the largest crowds that ever
visited Madison was present to greet
the chief executive.
Chester A. Arthur, while president,
passed through Madison once in COM
pany with Robert T. Lincoln while
making a tour of the west.
James A. Garfield spoke in the
capitol park the year before he was
elected to the presidency. The occa-
sion was the celebration of the ami
versary of the founding of the repub-
| lican party in Wisconsin, and Garfield
and Zach Chandler of Michigan were
among the orators. Garfield, then a
senator, had not yet doomed up as
presidential candidate, but the strong
address which he gave here led to the
prophesy at the time that he would
yet be president.
President Hayes in the latter part
of his term visiteu the state fair at
Madison in company with Mrs.
Hayes who visited ladies' hall at the
university while here. President
Hayes also called on Postmaster
Reyes at the postofice. President
Grant in the late 7Os was also a
state fair visitor at Madison and was
guest of Col. Villas. General
Grant was introduced at the fair by
General George e. Bryant and an
! Interesting incident in connection
with the occasion Is remembered.
AS General Bryant was driving in
from his farm and framing an ap-
propriate introduction he became so
distracted as to drive off q
bridge while in the middle of
sentence. He reached town
safely, however, but while intro
ducing the renowned warrior, just as
he came to the middle of the same
disastrous sentence, he again drove
off the bridge, that is, lost himself.
Madison was never hOnOred by a
visit from the martyred Lincoln.