Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1905-11-02
CLAD IN PAJAMAS HE ASSUMES
COMMAND OF THE SINKING
VESSEL.
GREAT PRESENCE OF MIND
SAVES LIVES OF HIMSELF AND
OTHERS ON BOARD BY
PROMPT ACTION.

NCW VA tCdllS. W.. az vi VI "
avoid running aground at a sharp turn
in the Mississippi river, sixty miles be-
of the United Fruit companys fleet,
collided with the lighthouse tender
Magnolia, which was conveying Presi-
dent Roosevelt, Secretary Loeb and
DR.. Rixey to the cruiser West Vir-
ginia, lying at anchor awaiting the
presidents arrival three miles off the
mouth of the river.
The accident occurred at II o'clock
Thursday night in a bright moonlight,
and almost cost the president his life.
He only escaped after he had taken
command of the Magnolia while clad
in his pajamas, with biting wind
almost chilling him to the bone.
Mr.. Roosevelt and the members of his
party were finally transferred to the
Ivy, sister ship of the Magnolia. at
o'clock yesterday morning and
boarded the West Virginia on schedule
| time.
President Is the Hero.
That the president or some one else
was not drowned is miraculous, and
| due to the remarkable presence of
mind Of Mr.. Roosevelt. The strenuous
| day he spent in New Orleans the day
preceding the accident fatigued him
SO much that he retired two hours af-
ter leaving this city for the trip to the
| gulf. He was sound asleep iii a state
| room located well forward. The Els
parta's prov smashed through the
Magnolia's bow within a foot or two
of where the president was sleeping.
The force of the collision was SO great
that he was almost thrown out of bed.
Mr.. Roosevelt hastily drew on his
trousers, and further clad in pajama
shirt and slippers, he sailed forth on
deck, the coolest man aboard either
| the Magnolia or ESnoYta. He gave
orders to run the Magnolia on the
bank to beach her and prevent her
from sinking in probably 200 feet OF
water. After The ship was put in q
safe position he assured himself that
there was no further danger, and with
his customary disregard for his per
sonal safety he deliberately went bach
to bed after remarlling that it was {
strenuous birthday for him, as he was
fOrty-seven years old yesterday.
Sends for another Vessel.
The first news of the accident was
received here yesterday morning abOu
daylight in a long distance telephone
| message from Capt Rose of the ESpar
ia, who asked that tugs he immediatel.
F sent to the assistance of the Magnolia
Two tugs left under forced draught
but before their arrival the presiden
had been transferred to the Ivy
The transfer was made in a life
boat, which was brought up alongsid
the Magnolia and rowed to the Ivy
which had been Intercepted and OF
dered back for the purpose from PHO
Town by telephone message. !
boat was sent ashore Immediately al
ter the accident to communicate wit
the Ivy, as the president did not wan
: to defer his trip longer than necessary
< Spoken Off Pensacola.
;, Pensacola Fla, Oct. 29.-The cruz:
= er West Virginia, with Presiden
Roosevelt on board, was spoken We.
terday by wireless telegraphy, tn
ship at the time bHinE about SEQ mile
off. The message vas received at tn
Pensacola navy yard and stated ths
: the West Virginia would reach Ke
e West Saturday night.