Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-25

ers in the southwestern corner Of the state.
farmers so near the centers of trade and
living in SO thickly populated district as
to be uninteresting-an their quatntnese
Many Of these farmers have business in
terests quite independent of their farming.
and can call the walters In New York and
Boston hotels by their first names.
The best known raiser of Rhode Island
turkeys is Mr.. Vose of Westerly. and Mr..
Vose raises precious few turkeys. He Is a
David Harum, shorn of all David Harum' 8
quaintness and keeps livery stable In
Westerly. He lives on a farm near West
erly vtllage-which. by the way, is a
small city--and the farm, under Mr.. Vose's
directions. runs a milk route. Vose
achieved fame and maintains it by sending
a Rhode Island turkey every year just
before Thanksgiving to the President. a
custom which he began in Gen. Grants
first term.
Annually Sends Turkey to the White
House.
vose was a great admirer of Grant. and
having on hand a particularly fine speci-
men of what every Rhode Islander believes
to have been the real bird of Jove," he
sent 1t on to the White House. Being a
good republican and the national admins
tration having had only two lapses from
the faith since Grants time, Mr.. Vose has
continued the yearly Offering. though 1t is
whispered that during Cievelands two
terms the turkey on several Thanksg1vings
came from across the Connecticut border.
But that may be only idle gossip. and II Is
certain that while all other offerings-even
the bottled beer which SO agftated the W.
C. T. U.-are returned from the White
House, Vose's Rhode Island turkey for the
presidential Thanksgiving dinner has be-
come a national institution and Is never
ecutive mansion. Also, it is part Of the
duty of each succeeding President yearly
upon receipt Of the delectable fowl to
Sign with his own hand note OF thanks
vose's becoming the possessor Of com
plete collection of autographs OF all the
Presidents since Grant.
Mr.. Vose is rather a cold, reserved man.
and If there is any subject which he par
ticularly dislikes to hear preached 1t Is
that Of his annual presidential turkey. On
that subject he is polite. but reticent
Selecting the Presidential Turkey.
Though not a great raiser OF turkeys him.
self. Mr.. Vose is turkey expert and can
tell at a glance the possibilities which Turk
In a chick of the Rhode Island breed. so,
when the turkey chicks have begun to take
TO their milk diet. he makes tour OF INC
turkey farming district and looks over the
broods. If he sees particularly promising
that 1t receive especial care. Several times
during the season he makes tour OF 90
seryafion and criticism through the region,
and IL he comes across turkey which mas
developed in a manner which pleases htIn
he takes an option on that bird also, Inc
result Is that when the time OF ThankssiV-
ing approaches the flower OF the Rhode
Island turkey farms is at Mr.. Voses ois-
posal. Aside from this, he Is propaply Tn.
largest buyer and shipper OF turkeys LOT
the New York market, and SO has the
whole field practically in his hands for the
purpose of a choice.
Perhaps the turkey he sends to the
White House may be from his own farm.
nerhaps from some other, but wherever II
comes from, it Is sure to represent the
highest development of the Rhode Island
turkey at the present day. ana lhal olru.
according to an old Rhode islander, II
properly seasoned and roasted. Is superior
to any other known animal, whether fowl
or FISH, whether wild game or domestic on
this or any other tarraqueous globe WITHIN
mans knowledge. a bird that am sure
Joye must prize far above his eagle anu as
little like the turkey of New York ana
other cities and states as the turkey OF
New York is unlike roasted carbon
gorged turkey buzzard.
But the breed of Rhode Island turkeys
seems to be doomed. and he VINO would
will be too late. If the Agricultural COL
iege succeeds by crossing In producing a
breed of turkeys which Will De immune TO
the blackhead there will still be turkeys In
Rhode Island, but no more Rnooe isiand
turkeys.
Slowly the famous bird climbs the heights
Of Escoheag Shumunkanuc, Brightman
and Potter's hills. and. like the Narragan-
sett Indian who has preceded him INTO the
realm of extinct creatures. READS his doom
In the setting SUM-" The genuine Rhode
Island turkey is destined to become only
cherished tradition, and unborn Presidents
shall bewail his absence from their Thanks
giving feasts