The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-13
.SLEUTHS GALORE
AT OYSTER BAY
THEY SWARM ABOUT AND PRO-
TECT THE PRESIDENT.
Vigilance of Army of Secret Service
Men Never Relaxes, Altho They
Sometimes Have Hard Time Keep
ing Mr.. Roosevelt in Sight-Every
Visitor Halted.

Oyster Bay. L. T., July 11.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt, famous for his fear
lessness, is much more closely guard
ed at his summer home here this year
than ever before. The force Of secret
service men has been augmented, and
unusual precautions have been made
to ensure the safety Of the national
executive.
The mysterious watchers keep their
eye on the president whenever he
leaves his beautiful home on Saga
more Hill, three miles from the city,
and never let him out Of their sight
even in his notable sprints across the
country on horseback, in his long
tramps afoot or While he is engaged
in his daily stunt of telling trees in
the wood nearby. Sometimes how
ever, these guards have hard time
keeping up with the energetic execu
tive.
It is a matter of general remark
among the villagers that never since
Mr.. Roosevelt became president have
those who visit Oyster Bay and move
in the direction Of the presidents Sc
cluded home been more vigilantly
watched. -.-..-.. .y.-...-... .&
Last year the identity of every sec
ret service man was known through
out the village, but though the force
this year is larger than formerly, the
identity of the men on duty is pro-
found mystery. Just four of them,
who were with the resident last year,
are known to the villagers. How many
of the secret service agents there are
is unknown, though several men, who
might be taken for presidential
guards, are seen almost at every turn
in the village and at the station on the
arrival of trains. .. .-..
All Visitors Halted.
There Is one main road from the viii
lage to the home of the president on
on Sycamore Hill. The day force, con-
| sisting of two men, stands guard 100
feet from the house, under the shade
of a tall elm tree. The sound Of car.
riage wheels over the gravel road
brings one of the guards to meet the
carriage 200 feet or more from the
house. In a firm but polite manner
further progress is barred to an un.
! welcome visitor.
The first day force Of two men goes
on duty at am, relieving the night
force of three men, that has been or
guard for eight hours. The second re.
| lay is an eight-hOur tour, from Ill a
m. to Z pm, when the third relay
goes on duty for four hours. The
fourth shift is made at. II pm. anc
squad alternates on long and shor
watches. .- ... ....
80" Special Telephone Service.
There u.s. for the special use of tn
secret service men, a private telephone
wire from the executive office in tn
village to the secret service station
outside the Roosevelt home. It wa
installed few days ago. 1t has a bel
| which rings inside the house at TIN
same time as it rings outside, and an.
message from the village may b.
known by the president himself a
soon as by the guards. In, addition t
this there is private telephone swir'
running from the house to, the office
i Mr. Roosevelt has had scarcely al
official visitor since his arrival and tn
announcement made through Score
/ tary Loeb that the president will no
be accessible to political delegation
or other importuning guests mean
that few persons will be invited t.
SaranoOre Hill this summer