Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-12
VISIT TO BIG TREES.
President Dimes Tn Shade of
 Giant Redwoods.
l PLEA FOR THEIR PRESERVATION
Roosevelt Eats Beans Prepared by n Mother of Thfrty-sfx Children.
 santa Cruz Gives Him ID am ovation.

SANTA CRUZ, Gal, May 12.-Presi- dent Roosevelt was given an ovation on his arrival here He was re- eeived at the station by the reception committee and escorted to a carriage drawn by two black horses. The other members of the party were also as. signed to carriages. After a drive on Beach hill, where he had good view of the bay and city, [ the president was driven along Pacific avenue, which was crowded with an immense throng, hundreds having come from miles around. His carriage was driven through an avenue of thousands of school children with waving flags who for mile scattered flowers along his pathway. The cheers of the ch1l- dren were taken up by the pioneers, the Grand Army, Knights of Pythias and citizens. In carriages following that of President Roosevelt were Con- gressman Needham, President Benja- min Ide Wheeler of the University of California, President Butler of Colum- bia university and others.
 Tags were lavishly displayed. The courthouse was a mass of national col ors. The president spoke briefly at the courthouse. s.
 At the close of the presidents re- marks, preceded by the naval reserves and band, the procession moved slowly up the street to special train. The big trees were reached iii fifteen min- utes, and the party sat down to an al fresco luncheon. Twenty of Santa Cruz's pretttest young ladies waited on the tables. The naval reserves and officers acted as guard. At the close of the repast the president said
 "I want to thank you for your courte- sy and to say how much enjoy being here. This is my first glimpse of the big trees. I desire to pay tribute to the associations, private owners and state for preserving these trees and also to the citizens who acted in CO., opera ton with the state in preserving these wonderful trees. Let me preach to you a moment. All of us desire to see nature preserved Above all, the trees should not be marred by placing cards or names on them. People who do that should be sternly discouraged. The cards give an air of ridicule to the solemn and majestic giants. They should be taken down. I ask you to keep all cards off the trees or any kind of signs that will mar them, See to 1t that the trees are preserved; that the gift from nature is kept unmarred. You can never replace a tree. Oh, am pleased to be here among these wonderful redwoods. I thank you for .~&x~ ~S&@As .yn n and keep what nature has done"
 The president requested that he be unaccompanied in his walk along the trees, and President Butler was his only companion. While he was away Secretary Loeb, President Wheeler and others acted on the presidents suggestion by tearing down the cards from the trees amid great applause. During the luncheon the president was informed that the Spanish beans serv- ed at luncheon had been prepared by Mrs. J. M Gesetterest, who resides near Watsonville and who is the moth CT of thirty four children. He laughed heartily, saying, "She should be made the president of some association, I don't know what"
 The Pioneers society presented to the president silver plate. A tree was dedicated in the presidents honor. The president expressed his thanks, but he objected to big sign with his name on it. He also received pictures of the big trees. After photograph was taken and many had shaken hands with him the train started for this city. The station at Big Trees was crowded with people from Boul- der Greek and Felton. While the party was at Big Trees Native Daughters decorated the trees with flowers.