The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-06-28
ROUGH RIDERS REUNION
The First Annual Meeting of These
Heroes of the Spanish War
Is Held in Mexico
A GOLD MEDAL GIVEN COL. ROOSEVELT.

Led at San Juan-The Gift Was a
Complete Surprise to the Colonel
The Association Elects Ofncers and
Transacts other Business.
Las Vegas, n. NJ, June 26.-Gov.
Roosevelt may be pardoned if he re-
turns to New York wearing an unusu
ally large bump of self-esteem, for he
was given to understand Saturday that
he was the greatest man on earth. His
rough riders cheered and shouted,
shook his hand and patted him on the
back while honeyed words were spoken
close to his ears. He had come all the
way to New Mexico to attend reunion
of the regiment he had led through the
jungles of Las Guasimas and up the
slope at San Juan, for he was neces-
sary to the first meeting since the war
of this famous organization. The colo
mel arrived at 1880 o'clock Saturday,
and was greeted as he stepped off the
train with tremendous cheering from
5000 persons massed around the depot.
The noted New Yorker was clad in his
rough rider uniform and was easily rec
ognized by the crowd. He was almost
lifted bodily from his feet by the press
of persons anxious to grasp his hand,
and as he and his party made their way
slowly to the Castaneda hotel the
crowd surged after him. AS he walked
down the depot sidewalk a line of rough
rider veterans saluted and joined in the
general ovation. When Col. Roosevelt
came opposite the line of rough riders
he commenced shaking hands with the
troopers and gave them most cordial
greeting.
business Meeting.
The business meeting of the Rough
Riders Regimental association was
held in the Duncan opera house, and
owing to the absence of Secretary Car
ter. of Prescott, Lieut.. William +. Dame.
of Santa Fe, was chosen secretary pro
tenn. An address of welcome on behalf
of the citizens of Las Vegas was made
by A. a. Jones, prominent attorney
of this place.
Col Roosevelt responded at some
length, his remarks at times being en-
NhlSielHliN'iAN hPl'iuhtNN'
Non-SoIdiers To he Excluded.
The committee on constitution was
ordered TO frame the bylaws so that nc
one but an actual soldier at some time
in his life shall hereafter be elected an
honorary member. Gov. OterO re-
sponded to the compliment in a neat
speech Gov. Roosevelt was elected as
honorary president of the association
for life. Col. A. O. Brodie, of Prescott
was elected PRESIDENT; Lieut.. Dame, OF
Cerrillos, secretary; Capt. w. H. II.
Llewelyn, first vice president; Lieut..
Goodrich. second vice president.
RegfmentaI Parade.
The regimental parade took place in
the afternoon at four o'clock. The regi-
ment formed ut Camp Cochran and
marched TO the tournament grounds
six blocks away. Col. Roosevelt rode as
commander, accompanied by staff OF
officers. At the tournament grounds
Col Roosevelt occupied a box reserved
for him and the guests of the regiment
Famous Leader Surprised.
This was a neat bit of strategy, and
before Col. Roosevelt could realize why
he was being spoken to Hon. Frank
Springer, acting on behalf of the peo-
pie of New Mexico, began his speech,
presenting Col. Roosevelt with medal.
The presentation was a genuine sur
prise to Col. Roosevelt. Mr.. Springer
handed the medal TO his young daugh-
ter, Miss Eva. who pinned it on the lapel
of Roosevelt's rough rider blouse. The
recipient was visibly affected and re-
sponded briefly:
Judge Springer, and to Miss Springer
and to you, my fellow Americans of New
Mexico, l want to say i cannot express IN
words how deeply / am touched by what
you have done. | prize this gift more than
anything else that could have been given
TO me. coming, as ii does and in the way ii
does, and from those from whom it comes.
For IL comes on the anniversary OF day
fateful in the annals of the west. Twenty
three years ago Custer rode to his death
with his gallant men at the Rosebud. add
ing his share in the winning of
the west'-in the upbuilding of the
west which you have all of you
upbuilt-bringing up your section level
in patriotism, level in highness of purpose
with all that there is in this nation. / can
not say how glad have been to come here.
L never was in New Mexico before, but
have never felt like stranger for one mo-
ment among you. (Appause.) i claim the
same right that each of your sons claim
of glory, and take pride in the name and
fame of New Mexico. am an American, as
you are Americans, and you and l alike
have the right TO claim as our own every
acre and rod of country from Maine to
oregon; from Florida to California. Gap
plause.) All | shall say is If New Mexico
wants TO be a state you can call on me, and
L will go TO Washington to speak for you, or
do anything you wish" Great applause)
Col. Roosevelt's address was cut short
by the rain, which put a stop to the
amusements of the daylight pro-
gramme.
Roosevelt Departs.
The rough riders attended a sacred
concert Sunday night given by local
talent. The reunion will conclude to-
night with a reception and ball at the
Montezuma hotel, Hot Springs. Gov.
Roosevelt and party left at one o'clock
Sunday on his return TO New York. One
of the features of the reunion was the
presentation to Lieut.. Brodie, presi-
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