The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1905-05-02
PRESIDENT ATTENDS UNIQUE
SERVICE IN COLORADO.
SERMON AN UNUSUAL ONE
Worshippers Forget Their Surround
ines and RoisterousIy Cheer
Roosevelt Makes Address.

GlenWood Springs, Colo, April 30
unique in the history of Colorado was
the church service held at the Old
Blue schoolhouse on West Divide
creek and attended by President
Roosevelt and his hunting party ana
all the ranchmen and their families
for miles around. The organ was
form seats were provided for the pres
form seats were provided for the pres
ldent and his party, the Reverend
Horace Mann of Rifle, Col, who
preached the sermon, the choir and
the trustees of the church. The mem
bers of the congregation stood or sat
on the ground or in their conveyances.
which were grouped around the buiud.
ing
The sermon by the Reverend Mann
| was OF an unusual kind 1t began with
a story, teemed with the slang of wes:.
ern flavor and was full of advice suit
ed to congregation inuring itself to
the hardships of mountain life. It
touched upon the responsibilities OF
the possible election of a president as
well as the characteristics OF some oil
the men who have occupied that place.
All Ride on Horseback.
The presidents party presented a
picturesque appearance as they came,
UP. All were on horseback and dress
cd in their hunting clothes. They had
no others at the camp. Many OF
those in the congregation wore their
best. The dresses and hats of the
women were showy and in striking
contrast to the mud-spattered tanduck,
blue jeans and other rough materials
making up the costumes OF the presi-
dent and his fellow hunters.
Mr.. Roosevelt was dressed in the
same clothes he wore when he left
his private car at New Castle two
weeks ago. His hat was what lis
known as the SLOUGH He wore 1t
pulled over his eyes and badly out OF
shape His jacket was sheep lined
duck, his trousers of duck tied about
his ankles with strong cord. His shirt
was blue cotton. He had discarded
his leather chaps" and sweater as
concession toward the proper church
going raiment
The clothes of Doctor Alexander
Lambert and the guides wore were
4as-
road agents ever looked more formid-
able.
The western air of the party wen.
straight to the hearts of the people
They applauded and yelled boisterous
praise of the president, regardless OF
the day and the fact they were vir-
tually in mouse of worship, though
there was the blue sky, the floor OF
soft grass and dead leaves, and the
walls formed by the maintains on
every side.
President Makes Address.
Mr.. Roosevelt, at the request of tha
addressed the congregation.
He told them how glad he was to
De there and how much it pleased him
% come face to face with so many
people who were Drawing hard
ships with light heart and doing their
'art in the world without complaining
'r bitterness 1t was at the conclE-
sion of the presidents remarks, when
le leaned forward and beamed we,-
.ome that took in every one in the con-
sregation that the president looked
lis best.
He was the picture of rugged health
IS he said: "And now l want to
hake hands with you. There are a
ood many of you, so don't stampede
IF get too willing" AS the president
lade use of these cattle terms the
pplause was terrific. He took a po-
ition in corner within the school
ouse on the platform, where it was
impossible for the people to crowd
DOCTOR Lambert acted as chief for
he secret service and the hunters
nd cowboys acted as his assistants.