The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-01
TURKEY HUNTING.
President Roosevelt Spends a
Day IN Virginia
In Pursuit of the Wild Fowl
Astounding There.
SEASON OPENS TODAY.
He Is Accompanied by Secretary
Root and DIR. Rixey.
Will Visit Bull Run Battlefield
During the Trip.

Manassas, VT, Nov. lin the fitful glare
of locomotive lanterns President Roosevelt
at 430 this morning stepped briskly from
his private in the railroad yard here
and greeted cordially the little group of
newspapermen. special officers and rail-
road men who had gathered to see him
start on his hunt for wild turkeys. He
was attired in a khaki suit with leggings
and over this was a long heavy overcoat
and black slouch hat was on his head
as he alighted from the car.
servant handed to him fine double
barreled shotgun which he threw familiar
ly into the crook of his left arm. Secre-
tary Root who had preceded the presi-
dent from the train, wore canvas shoot
ing suit, an overcoat and Il golf cap. The
president after a quick surrey of ths
star-lit sky rem arked to Mr.. Root that
they were in luck to the weather The
rpresident and Secretary Root were Joined
at once by Surgeon General Rixey. Secre-
tary Cortelyou and J. T. Leachman.
sheriff of Prince William county. Sheriff
Leachman was to act as guide of the party
on the turkey hunt.
Preceded by railroad men bearing lam
terms, the president and his party trudged
for a quarter Of q mile along the maze of
railroad tracks to carriages in waiting to
convey them to the shooting gvounds
They were followed by servants carrying
big hamper Of asi3eraI " ater End lEfefI-
con. AS he walked briskly along tie rrea-
ident remarked to Secretary Hcos:
It have tranped ties before r nay time.
Yes" responded the secretary with &
suggestion of irony in the tone OF hts
voice, Il have often thought that there
was no active exercise SO restful to the
wearied mind the trarnping of railroad
| ties
The party entered carriages il the vii
| lage and preceded by Sheriff Leecnman
and a secret service officer in a buggy
started for the hunting grounds abo1x
four miles distant, President Roosevelt.
Secretary Root. Secretary Cortelyou and
DR.. Rixey occupied one carriage which
4 was followed by another containing SER
wants and messengers with luncheon.
This morning the party hunted over a
fine preserve of 1900 acres known locally
as the Ben Lomond place and owned by
| Representative John F. Rlxey, a brother
of Surgeon General Rixey. While the
president hoped to add a wild turkey or
/ two to his hunting trophies, he said he
/ was here particularly for the needed
recreation the outing would AFFORD him
and for the purpose Of getting over the
historic Bull Run battlehelds which he
never had visited. After the morning S
hunt the party assembled about noon at
the Henry House which is in the very
center of the operations of the first battle
of Bull Run. There luncheon was served.
/ During the afternoon the president viii
drive over the battlefield. At $50 this af-
ternoon the president and party on their
special train will go to Brandy, Va, 4s
|
be the guests until Monday morning of
relatives of Surgeon General Rixey.
The party reached the turkey blinds
before daybreak and after each had
been stationed the callers endeavored TO
entice the willy birds within gunshot.
drove of six turkeys finally was
discovered and later one of them fell to
the gun of Secretary Cortelyou. Presi-
dent Roosevelt was unfortunate in be-
| ing the only member of the party who
did not get a shot during the morning.
The turkeys are scarce and Mr.. Cortel-
you's bird was the only one bagged.
At noon the party assembled at the
Henry House for luncheon and for two
hours afterward the president walked
over the Bull Run battlefield, the points
of historic interest being indicated and
explained by Henry Seen, who now oc-
cupies the Henry House.
Subsequently the party returned to
the turkey covers and continued the
hunt The day was perfect for the
sport and the president enjoyed the out
/ ing immensely. The injury to his leg
gave him no trouble and he feels that
his recovery is complete.