Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-22
GIFT OF THE COWBOYS
Wyoming to Become Prop
erty Of Mrs. Roosevelt.
FINE SADDLE HORSE
PRESIDENT TO TEST ANIMALS
GAIT AND DISPOSITION.
Should Both Prove to Be Satisfactory
the Transfer Will Be
Made.

this afternoon take q long ride on WyO-
ming. the beautiful saddle horse given
him by his friends Of Douglas. Wyo.. when
he visited that state during his recent
western trip The horse. which Is the
honored equine of the White House stables,
was brought here more than a week ago.
since which time Mr.. John q. Wright, in
whose care the animal made the trip. has
been making him acquainted with the red
devil automobiles. steaming locomobiles
street cars and other things not to be
found on the plains of the west. Mr.
Wright, who Is regarded as skilled horse
trainer, has pronounced the animal to be
entirely safe, and that any member OF
the Presidents family may ride him.
The ride this afternoon will decide
whether or not the plans made by the
people Of Douglas some time ago are to
be realized These plans were kept a pro-
found secret from all save the cowboys
and the citizens of that town, and provide
that If, after his ride this afternoon, Presi.
dent Roosevelt can subscribe to the state
ment of Mr.. Wright as to the gentleness
and stride Of the animal, 1t will become
the property Of Mrs Roosevelt immediate
ly. she having expSessed a wish that the
horse be placed at her disposal.
Wyoming is described as a very gen.
is said, he has shown a great aptitude for
smart tricks" The cowboys say he
proves that just as sensible horses can
be raised in the west as are produced In
the east. Wyoming is a chestnut sorrel.
His dam was a Wyoming range mare and
his sire a Kentucky whip horse, both OF
high class.
Gift Of Saddle Excites Rivalry.
When the cowboys and citizens of Doug
las heard that the people of Cheyenne pur-
posed presenting President Roosevelt with
a saddle, made of the choicest cowhide
leather and mounted with gold and silver,
costing in all about $3.50, the former at
once declared they were not of the stock
to be "worsted,' and so decided to place one
of the best horses they could find under
that saddle. Every move was made in a
quiet way lest their plans should leak out.
Senator Warren was acquainted with the
desires of the people of Douglas and he
consented to cooperate with them.
AS it was the general understanding
among the cowboys that the President did
not fancy gated" horse. Senator War
rem was asked not to say anything about
the proposed gift. 1t was arranged. how
ever. that If President Roosevelt expressed
a liking for any animal brought to his at
tention 1t should be presented to him. 1t
was also arranged that "Ragalong." the
name by which Wyoming was originally
known should take part in the relay from
Laramie to Cheyenne.
A large gathering of cowboys was present
when the saddle was presented to President
Roosevelt at Laramie, and they rode with
him on the relay, in which five horses were
used. The President mounted "Ragalong,'
the fifth horse in the ride. six miles from
Cheyenne and rode him into that city.
For a horse this was the most trying
part of the ride, and because of "Raga-
longs" compoosure amid the cheers of the
10 80 x14I -
welcome and the flying flags, which are
calculated to frighten almost any beast,
the President was manifestly much pleased.
He said nothing about the horse. however
forty fve-mile ride to Senator Warrens
ranch. This ride was over very rough
country, and the President set the pace for
the large number Of cowboys accompany
Ing him. many times leaving them far in
the rear. His escorts agreed that 1t was
one Of the hardest rides they had ever ex-
perienced. the last fourteen miles being made
in one hour and five minutes. Wyoming
finished the ride In fresh condition, with
his head high In the air. as II he apprecfat-
ed his Importance while the other animals
were much jaded and showed WEAKNESS.
Pleased With Endurance and Gait.
Upon arriving at Senator Warrens home
President Roosevelt remarked to several
members of the party that when 1t came "a
the most remarkable animals he had ever
ridden. This expression On the part of the
President was the signal for the people of
Douglas to carry out their plans as to the
presentation of the horse.
The purchase of the animal from the
owner, Ben Wheelock. a horse raiser OF
Douglas. was Immediately perfected, the
price paid being $500. When the President
attended the wild west tournament given
by the cowboys the next morning, June 1.
at Cheyenne fair grounds 1t was announced
Immediately after opening that the first
event of the day was the presentation OF
Ragalong to President Theodore Roosevelt
Senator Warren delivered the address
President Roosevelt was greatly surprised
and so expressed himself. In responding to
Senator Warren's remarks the President
assured the donors and the citizens OF
Douglas of his high appreciation of the
gift, and after asking permission of the
donors he rechristened the horse Wysming
| in honor Of the state.
The President having accepted the gift
| the next move was to transport the ami.
NAL to Washington. It was agreed that
| as Mr.. Wright had broken" and trained
| the horse he was the proper person to
whom this task should be assigned. Mr.
wriaht consented to see that the animal
was safely installed in the White House
| stables and began the long trip to Wasn'