Arizona republican., 1904-12-03
BEAR HUNTERS AFFINITY
The Bond of Affection Between T. F.
 Hudson and Theodore Roosevelt.

T. F. Hudson, who conducts a drug store on the corner of Center and Washington streets, is a friend of President Roosevelt and he doesn't care who knows it, for he isn't a bit asham- ed of it. They are bound together by the strongest of human ties, except consanguinity, namely, the free mason- " that exists between all hunters, trappers and pathfnders in the wilder ness. MT. Hudson's acquaintance with Mr. Roosevelt dates back to 1885, when the latter was far less prominent in the worlds affairs than now, but the manner in which they met makes the story especially appropriate at this time, by reason of the presidents re- cent visit to the worlds fair.
 It was during the New Orleans ex- position in 1885, which MT. and Mrs. Hudson attended. MT. Hudson was raised in Sonomo county. California, and in his younger days was cOnsidera- ble of a hunter. In fact it behOoved everybody in those parts at that time to be ready to kill a grizzly on short notice or be willing to die himself. While passing through the Montana
 
 Mrs. Hudson stopped before a very in teresting display of furs, skins, rugs, etc, that was presided over by a young man who had them for sale and who, they learned, was one Theodore Roose- welt. When MT. Hudson told him he came from a bear country their friend 1y relations instantly began and stories of the hunt were exchanged with great prOdigality Mir. Roosevelt showed them through his collection, pointed out the skins taken from animals he had killed himself and others that were bought. It came to be a part of the programme of every day to stop a little while at the Montana exhibit and tell stories There was one par ticular bear story told by MT. Hudson that so interested Mir. Roosevelt that he insisted on hearing it three or four times, and MT. Hudson says now that while the president may have fofgotten him personally he would remember him quick enough were he to tell that bear story.
 Before they left New Orleans Mir. Hudson bought the skin of a young bull buffalo that Mir. Roosevelt had killed, as well as some other things, and as a token of friendship MT Roosevelt gave to him a polished buff falo horn and also gave to Mrs. Hud- son the handsome skin of a silver fox that he had killed himself It was valued at ten dollars in those days but is today a much higher priced skin. But the specimen in the Hudson house hold is not for sale, no more than are the other souvenirs acquired at the same time. The Buffalo robe was ruin ed some years ago on Mir. Hudson s ranch in Cochise county, being neg lected at a time when he was away from home, and assailed by moths. All these skins were Indian tanned, which means that they were given the best process known.
 The story that interested MT. ROOse- welt so much was an incident in which MT. Hudson imagined himself a hero, while his father and all his friends in- sisted that he had demonstrated that he was a fool. And whatever his judg- ment it was plain that MT. Roosevelt s sympathies were with the fool hero.
 MT. Hudson's father and family lived on a ranch in the GuilicO valley which | is surrounded by mountains quite heavily timbered. It was the native home of the grizzly bear. which did not give up it's title until it was wrest- | ed from him with the rifle. It was nc
 special honor to kill a bear in those days unless one made a business of fl and earned a reputation for it as did | old John Riggs, who lived in the noun tains a few miles up the canyon. Ev- | erybOdy killed a few bears but John Riggs never did much of anything else
 as long as the bear supply held out. The Hudson ranch was well stocked with swine which the bears seemed tC
 regard as good eating. One morning about o'clock there was great com
 motion in the hog pens and the elder l Hudson sallied forth, followed closely
 by T. F. A bear was seen and shot at without effect, then followed some | distance up the canyon, where he got l away. They returned to the ranch and l at daylight resumed the trail on horse | back, and accompanied by dogs. The | trail led up by the Biggs ranch wher | that worthy and his hounds joined ir | the chase. Over the hills they went till it was mid afternoon and young
 Hudson was considerably the worse fol wear, beside being Outra geously hun
 gry. The dogs had lost the trail anC the elder Hudson decided to send tho boy back to the Riggs ranch, as the! proposed to get the hog killer before they gave up the chase. The lad wa!
 directed which way to go and started being armed with a small muzzle-IOad