Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-06-16
The Presidents Visit
To Virginia
Buys Property in AIbemarIe and Becomes
aLand Owner hat His New Neigh.
hors Think of Him. Etc., Etc.
(staff Correspondence of the Spectator

4 | (SJaH Correspondence Vi Tile opeCbhGOT.l
President and Mrs. ROosevet's r,
cent visit to Albemarle county, hS
created wide spread interest through
: out the State and the quiet little raj
way station of Red Hill, where the
left the train has suddenly doomed int
J world wide nOtOriety.
1t was the point most convenient t
the Presidents quiet little home bacl
in the woods, where he and Mrs. ROOse
welt spent several days. During tina
time the distinguished pair were sew
eraI times to and from the station,
through wire to Washington was has
tily put in, and soon Red Hill was il
the public eye as that modest little set
Element had never dreamed of before
For the time being it was the Whit
House of America. Press dispatche!
from distant St. Petersburg spoke o
Red Hilln and the Mikado at Toki'
in far off Japan speculated as to terms
of peace when the President should re
turn from Red Hill. "and the hopes an(
fears of three continents listened fol
| the click, click. click, of the telegraph
| instrument at Red Hill.
And so 1t was that we Vlrginians
every one of us, aboard Southern
train popped on heads out OF the Cal
windows when the conductor called
out RED HIP" We were on the
local from Lynchburg and were fol
lowing the fast flyer that had picked
up the President and Mrs. Roosevelt
at Red Hill. For miles before reach
ing the place passengers were scanning
their time tables and firing questions
constantly at the conductor and brake
man, so when finally the train drew
up at the station every passenger was
curious to take peep at the surround
ings and bent on asking more ques-
tions than the score of platform lOafers
conId answer.
Red Hill is neat and attractive
place, with busy store, newly white
washed fences, and pretty, well kept
lawns.
1t is located on the main line of the
Southern railway from Washington
and Just 8 miles south of ChariOttes.
vile. In the near distance as we look
ed toward the east is seen low water
gap in the mountains, through which
winds a smooth clay road, and beyond,
some miles lies hidden in the woods,
the Presidents rustic Cottage. All
this we learned and saw at a glance.
When our train pulled out it had TAX
en- aboard part of the presidential par
acted as host to Mrs. Roosevelt before
the Presidents arrival and to whom
both were afterwards indebted for
many acts hospitality. When your
correspondent became acquainted with
them he found them exceedingly affa-
BILE and communicative regarding the
President till inadvertently be let slip
the fact that he was newspaper man
and then an ominous silence feel upon
them. They and the President had
been beset by reporters until they were
in no humor for more of it. Mr.. Joseph
Wilmer, fer such was the elder gentle
man, disclosed his identity readily,but
the other posed as secret service man,
but his ruddy complexion and candid
expressions more bespoke the southern
country gentleman, than the govern
ment sleuth. alert for the would be bomb
thrOwer or the wielder of an assassins
blade. And so he proved to be; the
younger brother, Mr.. VIM. n. Wilmer,
who had sold to Mr.. Roosevelt the
little Is acre farm and house thereon
that now constitutes our president "a
Virginia land owner" title be claims
be proud of.
Said Mr.. Wilmer. the President and
Mrs. Roosevelt have bought home
here in Virginia, remote from busy
that he and his family
may have rural retreat, place of
rest and recreation. The President,
he declared, is fond of Virginia and of
Virginians, and is much pleased with
his new home among the woods, but be
has been annoyed by the curious
who watch his every movement,
and by an array of kodak fiends that
pursue him. why would you believe
it, said he, "there we're forty of them
sitting on his fence the other morning
waiting for snap shot at the first
appearance. Your correspondent
took the liberty to suggest that that
was the penalty of greatness, and that
if such mark of interest were lacking
the President might well think bis
star of fame waning, and further that
had MIR. ROOsevelt's visit to Virginia
been made six mouths ago the people
would scarce have showed the interest
in his movements they do nOw-for
since he has put from him the crown
of a second term he has become more
democratic, more simple in his life,
and more the president of whole
people. In a manly, generous spirit
the people of Virginia are willing to
meet him half way and extend to him
a cordial welcome to our State and
community. The Presidents visit,
said Mr.. Wilmer, had been an exem
plification of the simple life he advO-
Gates; he came and went on regular
trains and rode in the cars with other
passengers and at Red Hill he had
mingled with the people, declaring to
them he was glad to be a landowner
and citizen in Virginia. Accompanied
0y Mr.. Jos. Wilmer he then rode horse
back over the II miles between the
station and Plain Dealing, the home
of his host.
On the way they were met by Mrs.
Roosevelt and Mr.. VIM. n Wilmer
aud together the party proceeded to
the Presidents cottage in the woods.
1t is a two story frame building with a
front porch running its length, and is
newly painted in Ochre, with dark
trimmings and green blinds. Here the
President and wife settled down to
house keeping in country style, Mrs.
Roosevelt preparing the meals on a
blue flame stove, and when there were
no matches for kindling she stepped
out and borrowed some from a neigh
Dor. After breakfast Sunday they
walked to church together. some half
mile and attended divine services. That
afternoon they returned to the sta
tion and boarding train were soon
back at the White House. At Char
lottesvile Mr.. Roosevelt made no effort
to conceal himself, but sat at window
and bowed politely to all who spoke.
He is pronounced a good horseman and
enjoys his outings in hearty manner
He expects. it is said, to make fire
quepJ short visits to his rural retreat
III Virginia during the hot days OF
summer and the hunting weather of the
Fall. A. S. MORTON.
UIiYier-Reeside.