Waterbury Democrat., 1902-09-04
ROOSEVELT IN BRIDGEPORT.
His Miraculous Escape Was the
Almost Sole Topic.

oyster Bay in Safety-Great Crowds
Everywhere Along the Route Show
Gratitude for His Escape From
Death.
OYSTER BAY, N. Y, Sept 4.-Pres-
ident Roosevelt arrived safely home at
I Oyster Bay at z o'clock last evening.
He came from Bridgeport on the naval
yacht Sylph and was accompanied by
Secretary Cortelyou and by Mrs.
Roosevelt, his son Kermit and Secre-
tary Loeb, who had gone to Bridgeport
on the Sylph to meet him.
The presidents face was scratched
and swollen as a result of the accident
and in which Secret Service Agent
Craig, the presidents bodyguard, was
killed at Lenox in the afternoon.
The presidents neighbors gathered
to greet him when he left the Sylph
and sheered Justify as he entered his
carriage and was driven to his home,
Sycamore Hill.
When the president reached Bridge
port from Stockbridge, he was met by
the greatest crowd that ever gathered
in that city.
Every factory, every business house,
closed its doors as sign of thanksgiv-
Ing for the marvellous escape the presi-
dent had from death. in the trolley car
collision at Pittsfeld.
At every station between Stock
bridge and Bridgeport news of the ac-
cident had preceded the presidents
special train, and great crowds gave a
salvo of applause as the chief execu-
tive approached.
Mr.. Roosevelt made no speeches, but
he showed himself to the crowds, and
the enthusiasm was boundless.
The drive through Bridgeport's
streets was one long ovation There
was not a sign of business in the city.
With one accord the people turned out
to cheer the president and show him
their heartfelt gratitude for his almost
miraculous escape.
The president remained about an
hour and half and was escorted to a
stand in Seaside park, where he had
intended delivering an address to
workmen. He, however, excused him
self from making any speech because
VI IuG dCGl0CIt, dIl LIS IC4uC6L Lie
carriage was hurried away from its es-
cort to enable him to board the Sylph,
where Mrs. Roosevelt and his son Ker-
NIT embraced him. The drive from
Dalton to Lenox across the Berkshire
hills the president had looked forward
to with much interest, and when he
aWoke and observed a cloudless sky he
felt in good spirits, little expecting an
accident such as came near ending his
life
After breakfasting at the home of
Governor Crane in Dalton he was driv-
en- in an open carriage directly to the
platform, from which he delivered
short address,. Although it was not
yet o'clock, good sized crowd had
gathered to hear him, and while await
ing his coming band discoursed
number of popular airs.
After bidding farewell to Dalton he
re-entered his carriage, with Governor
Crane and Secretary Cortelyou. and
went across country to Pittsfeld,
where he received a warm and most
hearty greeting. His remarks were
confined largely to a dissertation on
the spirit which actuated those who
entered the Union army in 1861, draw
ing the lesson that if this same spirit
were shown now there would be bet
ter citizenship among men.
Amid the ringing cheers of the null
titude he started on the long drive to
Lenox and Stockbridge which ended
so disastrously short distance out
from PittsfieId As soon as it became
evident that the president was not seri-
ously hurt and after. he had given di-
rections as to the disposition of the
body of the faithful Craig the presi-
dent resumed his journey. He felt
that it should not be made the occa-
sion for any further demonstrations in
his honor, and he directed courier to
go ahead of him and notify every one
along the route he was to traverse not
TO cheer.
The news of the accident had spread
far and wide, and the people were
quick to understand the motive which
prompted him in making the request.
Lenox was reached about 11:15, and
his passage through the town to the
hotel, which had made elaborate prep
arations for his entertainment was in
silence. He tarried but moment, the
swelling on his right cheek causing
him considerable discontinue; but, not
to disappoint the people, he spoke
few words to them, telling them of the
accident and saying that he would
make no address. He then passed on
to Stockbridge, where, too, the people
were ready to make his entry into the
city notable occasion. Speaking from
his carriage, his right eye almost closed
and getting very black, he said that
for the same reasons given at Lenox
he would be unable to deliver an adj
dress.
His departure from Stockbridge was
pathetic There were no cheers, no
waving of flags or handkerchiefs, only
a word here and there to break the
deathlike silence. Brief stops were
made at Great harrington, Mass, and
New Milford, Conn. On the way here
Dr. Lung applied hat cloths to the pres
Sdent's face, which reduced the swell
ing considerably The president, al
though badly shaken up, kept his nerve
and was in good spirits, though he re-
peatedly referred to the loss of Craig
and said that but for that deeply de-
plored fact he would regard. the acct