The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-12-03
GAME WITNESSED BY MANY
PROMINENT PEOPLE.
PRESIDENT AND CABINET
Generals and Admirals Watch and
Applaud Brilliant Plays
Game Won BY Daily.

the most distinguished gathering that
ever witnessed a football contest in
this country, and admittedly the great
est crowd that has eve entered the
gates of Franklin field, saw West
Point defeat Annapolis this afternoon
by a score of II to 5. From the mo-
ment that President Roosevelt and
his party entered the great ampi-
theatre until half an hour after the
timekeeper had blown his whistle, an
nouncing the cessation of hostilities
there was almost a continuous uproar
such as probably has not taken place
on any football field in the country,
Even the president and several mem
bers of his cabinet, worked up to a
nervous pitch by the excitement, left
their seats in the private box which
had been set apart for their occupa-
ton and took positions on the side
line benches, which are usually used
for substitute players and coaches.
There was not a seat unoccupied and
hundreds stood around the field
through the entire game.
The day broke cloudy and threaten
ing, but just about the time that the
presidential train pulled into South
Street station, on the Pennsylvania
railroad, the sun broke through the
clouds as though to welcome the dis
tinguished guest.
The train bearing the president and
members of his cabinet reached South
Street station a few minutes after /
o'clock. Lunch was served on the
private dining car and the party at
1:45 started for Franklin field, which
is but a few yards from the station.
Two lines of policemen had been
drawn up on the sidewalk and the
president and his party marched to
the entrance of the grounds guided by
Philadelphia's finest. All the mem
bers of the party entered the grounds
at the eastern end. First came the
president with Prof. Harrison of the
University of Pennsylvania on his
right and Lieutenant Commander
Cowles on his left. They were follow
ed closely by a half dozen Philadel-
phia detectives, Chief Wilkie and sew
eral other secret service men, selected
for the occasion, Secretary Long, Sec
rotary Root, Postmaster General
Smith, Secretary Cortelyou, Secretary
Loeb and many army and naval Of
ficers.
Admiral Dewey had slipped into the
grounds almost unnoticed and had
taken a seat in the navy stand.
The presidents appearance was the
signal for a tremendous outburst of
applause which continued until he
had walked down the center of the
gridiron and across the field to his
seal in the north stand. The presi-
dents silk hat was on his head scarce
ly five seconds from the time he en-
tered the grounds until he had taken
his seat, so continuous was the ova-
ton.
Hardly had the president and party
taken their seats before the navy team
came upon the field from the west en-
trance. The followers of the Annapo-
lis eleven made the stand shake with
their cheers. and blue and orange
flags seemed to be floating from all
sections of the field.
Six minutes later the West Point
lads trotted out and then the black,
orange and gray of the army was way,
ed d%eliriously from the big south
stand.
No time was consumed in formali
ties. A coin was tossed and Captain
Nichols of the navy, called the turn
correctly. He chose the west goa,
with a slight advantage of wind and
at 2:15 Graves had kicked off on q
game that has a football history. From
the moment the ball was put in play
until the timekeeper's whistle blew
~ WAC Ao ~ SSl0u SDcC
tator of the game than President
Roosevelt. The game had been in
progress less than 10 minutes wher
he left his seat in the private box and
took up his position on the side line
bench. When Casad broke through
the navy's line and ran IS yards, the
president jumped to his feet excitedly
and advanced toward the gridiron
but returned to his seat a moment
later when the ball was put in play
again.
At the end of the first half Secretary
Root and General Miles came across
the field to escort the president te
the army stand. With Secretary Long
and a detective on his right, and Sec
Rotary Cortelyou. Lieutenant Com
EHE EFs