The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-01-19


Their Records and Has a Warm
Affection For His Men.
AS soon as the newspapers announced
that the escort CO the president Of the
United States upon Inauguration day
would consist of rough riders in the
panoply of war nearly all the members
of that famous regiment who are not
in office or in Jail Immediately started
for Washington-some on first class
tickets, some on freight trains, some on
the trucks Of passenger cars and some
on foot, says William c. Curtis, the
Chicago RecordHerald's Washington
correspondent The remainder, who are
located mostly in the arid regions, be
gan to telegraph and write for money
and particulars. It is therefore cOnsid-
cred necessary, as well as expedient, to
advise them that the Inauguration does
not take place until the 4th Of March;
that there is no need for rehearsals;
that the president is very busy and can
not devote any time to the reception Of
bis comrades and that he has intruSted
the entire matter to Major Llewellyn
Of Las Cruces, n NJ, to whom all cor
reSpOndence on the subject should be
addressed. 1t is also desired that every
person interested should understand
that full regiment is not expected
The bOdyguard will be limited to fifty
Or sixty picked men, and Major Level
Ign will do the picking. 1t is not nee
essary for any member Of the regiment
to apply to the colonel. 1t will be con-
sidered a violation of military dis
cipline If he does. These announce
ments are semiofficial, but the fighting
men of the First regiment of United
States volunteers are not going to be
bluffed off in that way. They consider
the Inauguration of their colonel IA per-
sonal matter and intend to participate
to the extent Of their ability.
Several rough riders have already
arrived in Washington in order to be
there in time for the procession. But
they hare been warned away from the
White House. Several impostors have
also appeared, but they will not call
upon the president second time He
has a warm affection for the men of
his regiment He knows them all by
name and by sight and has kept track
of most Of them since the close Of tie
war. He is going out west next May
especially to attend the regimental re-
union and renew his acquaintance. a
roster is still kept, and captains Of
companies make reports concerning the
whereabouts and circumstances of
their men at each reunion. At the last
meeting one of the captains reported
that during the year many Of his com
pany had died with their boots on and
two had been killed by the caving in
of a well. There had been no deaths
from natural causes. That is about
the way the records run.
The president also receives a good
deal of information direct. Scarcely a
mail arrives at the White House with
out bringing at least one letter from
comrade in some secluded quarter Of
the west "Prayerful James" Hell
Roaring Bill" "Sheeny Solomon eta
rantula Hank" 'Stary alton Jim,"
"Beefsteak john ''Sister Jane"
"Gumshoe Andy" "Beanpole.'' "Jum-'
b." "Moonshine Jim,'' '"The Preacher"
"POpeye Johnnie" and other gentlemen
communicate with him frequently, and
most of their letters begin in the same
way:
Dear Colonel-Im IN trouble and appeal
to you
And the colonel helps them every
time he can, although he limits his in
dorsements to their military prowess
instead Of their morals. Not long ago
he received a letter from one of the
best fighters in the regiment, which
was written in quite a different tone
from those he is in tie habit Of read
Ing. It began:
Dear Colonel-You will be pleased to
learn that have made a good strike and
have settled down and gone into business.
have rented one Of the finest places in
town, have fixed it up in way you'd be
proud of, and the big sign over the door
reads: 1.-THE Theodore Roosevelt Rough
Rider Saloon!' If any of your friends
are coming out this way l will be glad to
see them.
Another of the boys for whom the
president has a particular attachment
wrote him last summer for loan Of
$3.50 to pay a lawyer to defend him
from charge Of voluntary homicide
In the first degree. The money was
promptly forwarded. A few days ago
further information OF a gratifying
character was received The late de
PENDANT wrote that he had been dis
charged from jail and was now COW
punching. His indictment had been
dismissed because OF the accidental
death Of the principal witness in
scrap in the Dry Gulch saloon. The
money had been received in due time,
and he was very grateful. He would
send it back at the earliest opportunity.
1t had not been required to pay the
lawyer, but it had come very handy
IN sQuaring a horse transaction that
had threatened to make him a good