The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-10-20

long western tour. his special train
brought back three wagon loads Of
presents that he had received and ac-
cepted during his travels. Some were
valuable, while others were mere tok-
ems Of the good VIII Of the western
people for him.
The incident of the refusal Of the
president to accept d silk flag made
by d Boston girl and offered to him
recently recalls the fact that the
White House wagon made three trips
to the Pennsylvania station here to
Htake to the executive mansion the
Eesents that took up 50 much space
the spIen1dIy furnished train. The
presidents refusal 10 accept the BOs-
ton girls flag may, therefore, be re-
garded as an Isolated caSe-a case in
d thousand.
The city Of San Francisco presented
the president. and he accepted, a gold
and silver loving cup, worth much
money, and sacramento gave him a
silver and glass cIaret pitcher and a
handsome silver cigar case.
At COIfaX, Cal, the president re-
ceived Il box of gold and silver orc.
moUUt deer heads, stuffed noun
tain sheep, pheasants, lizards and
other birds and beasts found in the
west were presented to him, not all
of them by municipalities or bodies of
citizens, but many of them by indi-
yiduaIs.
Down at Sharon Springs. Kan. a lit
tie girl gave him u live badger. This
WAS when the train was on it's way
to the west. The little girl asked
that the badger be named Josiah, in
honor OF her brother.
The badger was taken all the way
along on the trip by the president,
and at last accounts was one of the
great pets of the Roosevelt children at
the White House. The president is
himself fond Of Josiah.
The little badger has always been
playful and appreciates the kindness
Of the Roosevelt children. When he
was on the train going through the
west he was fed on potatoes and
milk.
Many brides and saddles were pre-
scented to the president at different
points, and the horse Wyoming, which
the president often rides. was a pres
cnt to him from the citizens of Chey-
enne, WyO. With the horse was given
Il complete outfit for riding. including
saddle, bride, etc. A western cow
boy brought the horse to Washington
and remained here several weeks
while getting the animal accustomed
to street cars. automobiles and other
sights to which it was not accustomed
on the plains of the west.
The heaviest and bulkiest Of the
presents was m immense chair made
of elks' horns. A big elk in the park
of Tacoma, Wash, has annually shed
his horns. These have been saved
from year to year by the keeper of
the park where the elk lives. The chair
was made from them.
Another present of the same sort
was a set OF locked deer horns. They
We're taken from two large deer that
had engaged in mortal combat and
died with their horns locked. At three
or four places live bears We're offered.
but were declined.
Indian pottery in prOfusIOn was
given to the president by Indians In
Arizona and New Mexico. The most
valuable gifts Of this kind were from
the Indians who live near AIbuquer~
que, n. NJ. These Indians also pre-
scented to the president the finest Nav
aJo blanket ever made in the west.
At Tacoma the president received a
pair of totem poles. the combination
Eravestones and family trees Of the
Alaskan and far northwestern In
dtans.
Just before the president started on
western trip he received several
invitations engraved on solid gold.
some or them very valuable. On March
18th Il delegate from the Union League
Club. Of san Francisco visited him
at the White o and presented to
him IN invitation to attend a dinner
of the club on May 14th. The invitation
was engraved on n solid plate Of gold
of great value.
A few DAYS before this the Da-
kOta members Of congress-. accOmpa-
MED by a local delegation, waited upon
the president and presented to hin an
invitation in solid gold to attend the
Black Hills Mining Congress. which
met at DeadwOOd in the early part
of his month. This invitation was
engraved on u gold plate. the gold for
which came from the Black Hills re
sion.
About the same time the people Of
Pasadena, Cal. sent along a unique
invitation in gold. 1t was a large key
of gold. around the stem of which
was Il beautifully chased crown The
key was emblematic of the key of
the city ana the crown of the Indian
name or Pasadena. the crown of the
valley" The invitation was presented
by Representative James MCLaChlen.
The King of Siam sent the president
n handsomely bound volume in Feb
rulry. This volume was The His
tory of the Polish Succession written
by the Crown rim of Siam. who Wis
iteG this country and was received by
the president last November.
In January last Count y. Quadt-
W~ydrldt-Isny. of the German En-
blSsy. presented To the president 4
richly bound volume entitled The Re
form Of the Higher School System of
Prussia The gift was from Emperor
William to the president direct. The
italian ambassador made 4 similar
presentation during the winter
The most valuable present received
1t the White House in the last year
was Il EOld-Jrimmed cOnCert grand
piano. It was presented last winter
to the White House by = bic piano
concern merely as an advertisement.
and its value was estimated 1t $1,000.
1t was accepted without hesitation
and was used in the concerts IT the
White House durin~ the social season
last winter. 1t Is placed in the East
Room Of the White House and is OBJ
Se-Ved ny all visitors - Tho building.
On February 1Ith William Lf9kiDS. 4