Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-14
SPENT NIGHT IN CAMP
PRESIDENT IN READINESS TO BE-
GIN BEAR HUNT.
Fifteen Miles From Railroad and in
Practically an Unbroken
Wilderness.

President Roosevelt and his party arrived
at Snedes, Miss, shortly before o'clock
yesterday afternoon, and in their hunting
costumes started soon afterward for the
camp on Little Sunf1ower river.
The President was clad in hunting cos
tume-riding trousers, heavy leather leg
wore brown SLOUGH hat. Around his waist
was buckled his cartridge belt, and at his
side hung his ivory-handled hunting knife.
The other members of the party also wore
hunting suits.
While the guns, blankets and other small
baggage were being loaded into a four-mule
wagon, the President chatted with the
manager of the Smede estate and two
ladies, who had come especially to greet
him. When all was in readiness the mem
bers of the party, except Mr.. Fish and Mr.
Dickinson, mounted small, wiry, tough
looking horses and dashed away for the
woods at breakneck canter.
The Hunting Party.
President Roosevelt was joined at Mem
phis by the members of the hunting party,
President Stuyvesant Fish of the Illinois
Central, General Counsel Dickinson of the
same road. John NJ. Parker Of New Orleans
La; John McElhenny, formerly lieutenant
of the Rough Riders; Major G. M. Helm
w. w. Mangum and H. l.. Foote The lat
ter three are big Mississippi planters and
well-known bear hunters in this country
Mr.. Foote is considered one of the best
shots in the state.
Mr.. Parker has had charge of the prep
aration for the hunt. The camp Is fifteen
miles east Of Smedes, on the banks of the
Little Sunfower river in practically I'M
broken wilderness. There are no settlers
for miles in any direction. The oak, ash
and cypress forest is choked with an under
growth of bud vine, and thick, Mr.. Parker
said, as the hair on a dog back trail
has been cut to the camp, and horses have
been provided for the members of the party
The Camp.
The camp itself consists of three sleeping
tents and one cooking tent. Hoke Collier
a negro who was a scout in the confederate
army during the civil war, and who after
ward acted as guide for Gen. Wade Hamp-
ton, has charge of the pack Of hounds
which has been at the camp for a week.
Among them is the most celebrated bear
dog in the country. He is the property of
Mr.. Foote. This is his last hunt, Mr.. Par
ker told the President as he is old and de-
crepit, though he has one more hunt in
him, and when he opens his mouth it
means bear.
Collier, Mr.. Parker said, was credited
with having been in at the death of 1000
bears. He is said to have killed nearly so
In a single season.
ut will be rough work. said Mr.. Park
err
That is exactly what 1 want" replied
President Roosevelt.
But we will have bear meat for Sunday
dinner" added Mr.. Parker.
Let us get the bear before we arrange
for the dinner responded the President
laughing heartily.
Presidents Guides.
Mr.. Mangum and Hoke Collier are to act
as the Presidents guides. A heavily wood
ed ridge beyond the Little Sunflower, where
there is chance for panther, as we'll as
bear. is to be tried first. Later the hounds
will be loosed in the cane brakes in the
swamps on this side of the river. Mr.
Parker seems absolutely certain that the
President will get a bear.
When we strike the trail,'' said he, 1--WE
win follow it until we get what made it,"
THAT is the kind of talk like to hear"
replied the President.
Secretary Cortelyou and DR.. Lung proba-
Parker promises them a little less arduous
sport in the form of a deer drive. He says
there are also plenty of deer in the woods
The President and the members Of the
party donned their hunting clothes aboard
the train. in order to be ready for the
horseback ride to the camp Immediately
upon arriving at Smedes.
An eXpedient has been adopted to keep
the curious away from the camp. The
country for miles around it's location is