The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-11
THE PRESIDENT AT WEST PARK.
yisits John Burroughs Mt His Mountain
Retreat-.EDJOys Slabsldcs Luncheon.

WEST PARK. \. Y, July 10. The Presi-
dents yacht arrived here at $50 o'clock
this morning President and Mrs. Roose-
welt were met at West Park wharf by John
Burroughs, the author aturalist, and his
son, Julian Burroughs. The party walked
up the winding road under the shade OF
arching trees about half mile, to the
West Shore Railroad station, where Presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt stopped few
minutes while Mr.. Burroughs and his son
purchased provisions for luncheon,
President Roosevelt chatted with r. T,
Atkins, postmaster, an old resident of West
Park and his son, A. S. Atkins, the station
agent. He referred to the pleasant time
he and Mr.. Burr oughs had in the West
and praised the beauty OF the scenery at
West Park. The President also shook
hands with f. p. Smith, veteran of the
civil war.
Mrs Roosevelt looked cool and comfort
able in plain blue serge skirt, with a cream
colored flannel waist. striped with blue
and a straw hat trimmed with blue ribbon.
The President wore a loose-itting suit
stripes running through the goods, and a
Panama hat Mr.. Burroughs was dressed
IA he usually is when looking after his
celery farm at Slabsides.
From the RAILROAD station President and
Mrs Roosevelt and Mr.. Burroughs resumed
their walk to Slabsdes. The distance ia Il
mile and half over rough road which
turns and twists to meet the steep grade
Of the mountain side. Arriving at Slab
sides MIR. Burroughs offered them chairs
on the porch on the south side OF the quaint,
bark covered structure which he had
erected with his own hands Mrs. Roose-
welt sat down, but the President. once he
got his hands on book, was quickly on his
feet engaged in a discussion of mutual
interest with Mr.. Burroughs,
He was talking eagerly and earnestly,
while Mrs Roosevelt sat listening. When
the newspaper men arrived the converse
ton was temporarily discontinued. MIR.
Burroughs explained that the President
desired to be excused from Interruptions Of
any character until after luncheon.
Julian Burroughs assisted his father in
preparing the Slabsides dinner, which
was described by the author-naturalist
us a repast roasted In the ashes and broiled
on the GOALS In a rough stone fireplace
in one end of the cabin potatoes and onions
were roasted in the ashes and chickens and
steaks were broiled over the glowing einberB.
A tea kettle steamed. merrily swung from
a crane, and Mr.. Burroughs brought spring
water, cold and clear as crystal, in tin
pail from nearby spring. Appetizing
celery, lettuce, radishes. peas and other
products from Mr. Burroughs's swamp
farm completed the menu,
The party consisted of President and Mrs.
Roosevelt, Mr., Burroughs and Mr.. Patt
of Poughkcepsie, who had been invited
by Mr.. Burroughs to meet the President
After unchf on Mrs. Burroughs drove
over from Rivnrhy and took Mrs Re Csc
volt back with her, the President Mr..
Burroughs and Mr. Plat following On
foot. few minutes was spent at Riverby,
Mr.. Burroughs's dwelling, after which
visit was paid to Julian Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs had been reminded that
the Pr, sident wanted TO leave at about 2
clock, and at la5 clock the party start
for the steamboat landing When the
landing was reached a group OF about
twenty of Mr. Burroughs's neighbours had
gathered, and one by one they were intro
duccd and shook hands with the President
The President and Mrs. Roosevelt then
got into the launch, and az they left the
wharf tho party on land gave three rousing
cheers, led Ivy Mr.. Burroughs. After reach
ing the deck Of the Sylph President Roose,,
welt stood up, waved his hat in tho air and
yelled "Good-by, Dom John. l had
pleasant time"