The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-11-20
RED, WHITE, AND BLUE
FIRE FOR PRESIDENT
General Tracy's Surprise
at Chattanooga
ROSES FOR MRS. ROOSEVELT
Gallant SoutheTner Sends Bouquet by
Chief Executive-Train Rapidly
Speeding HomewaId.

CHATTANOOGA. Tepn.. Nov. 2O.-The
President reached this city al about IL
O'Clock this morning after crossing from
Memphis through the State Of Ala
bama during The night. Only a few min
utes' delay was made here for the
changing Of engines.
At the station as the President was
leaving Memphis was Gen. Peter Tracy.
OF Memphis. All through the day Mr..
Tracy. who Is one Of the most substa1-
ial business men Of the city. had been
.,rominent or the streets among those
ahO wait , 500 the President pass
,ith General Wight;
-Ar. Tracy drove down 20 tae station
It,er the banquet IN a carriage behind
-ne President. setting of fireworks oc-
,osionally and loudly deplorinS the ab-
sence Of an enthusiastic populace He
had no difficulty in getting into the
rrainshed and at once set of several
pounds Of red white. and blue fire about
the Presidents car. When the shed was
illuminated to his liking. he advanced to
the rear OF the car. where the Presi-
dent stood watching his operations with
complete appreciation OF the kindly
spirit which animated them. and bowed
low.
Southern Gallantry.
"Mr. President" " he said. 1T is a
.u'Irce Of humiliation and Of shame to
rla, sir, TO see. sir. that my fellow-citi-
zens have neglec, cd so important a part
of their education as a training in the
proper uses OF fire. sir. But, Mr. Presi-
dent. sir, thank God, sir, there was one
man 10 meet this important crisis.
trust my immodesty. sir. may be for
given. If ! say il as a man OF Irish de-
scent, but a true American, Mr. Presi-
dent, sir. l have the honor TO present.
sir, 10 yourself and your distinguished
company. Mr.. Peter Tracy, Of Memphis.
myself. sir. You now see. sir, the only
man who knows the etiquette Of red
fire"
Mr.. Tracy abruptly wheeled around
and took from a negro servant a huge
box Of roses, with which he again ap-
preached the rear platform Of the Nay
flower deferentially.
MIR. President he said, 4 crave the
honor OF forwarding these to Washington
On your train, sir. l desire you. sir 10
present them. with my compliments. 10.
your superior in the White House. with
the admiration and affection OF the city
OF Memphis. sir
With another bow. which almost
reached the plank platform. Mr.. Tracy
retired and Memphis had said its fare
we'll to the President, who, still chuck
ling. gave directions for the careful
conservation Of the roses for his su-
PeriOr in the White House"
A Sockless President.
At Stevenson. Ala, this morning there
was a general attendance OF school chill
dren and grown citizens AT the station.
The President was not dressed. and the
guard at the rear Of the train announced
that he would not appear. and there was
a general murmUr Of regret.
Hardly. however. was the discomfort
aade audible before the President. who
had been made aware OF the crowd ouJ-
side, appeared on the platform and said
good morning" and thank you. and
disappeared. The people did not know
il. but they had looked upon a sockless
President
President Roosevelt Will reach Wash
ington -omorrow morning from his Mem
phis trip spend the day here and leave
The city Saturday morning for Phila-
deiDhia.
Upon the conclusion OF the Founders
Day banquet at the Union League Oh
Saturday night the President will return
TO his special train al Broad Street sta
tion. The return journey is scheduled
to begin at O'Clock Sunday morning.
arriving here in time for breakfast al
the White House.