Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-05-03
President Roosevelt and His Hunting
Party Attend Church at the Old
Blue School House.
THE MEN WEAR ROUGH ATTIRE
Demonstration for the President
Has Enjoyed His Outing.

the church service held at the Old
Blue school house on West Divide
creek and attended by President
Roosevelt and his hunting party, and
all the ranchmen and their families
for miles around. The little district
school building was not tenth part
large enough to accommodate the con-
gregation. The organ was moved to
the platform in front. Platform seats
were provided for the president and
his party, the Rev. Horace Mann, OF
Rifle, Colo., who preached the SER
mon, the choir and the trustees of
the church. The members of the con-
gregation stood or sat on the ground
or in their conveyances, which were
grouped around the building.
The sermon by the Rev. Mann was
of an unusual kind. It began with a
story teeming with slang of the west
ern flavor, and was full of advice
suited to congregation inuring itself
to the hardships of mountain life. It
touched upon the responsibilities of
the position of president as we'll as
the characteristics of some of the men
who have occupied that place. After
he had concluded, the president spoke
for about ten minutes. He expressed
his well known views of good citizen
ship, the morality of man, patriotism
and duty to the home and country.
He was heartily cheered throughout
his remarks. After the services were
concluded he shook hands with ev-
cry man, woman and child present.
Remarkable Congregation.
The services at the school house
were begun at IL O'Clock. Long be-
fore that hour the ranchmen and their
families began to assemble. Many
persons drove or rode horseback from
Newcastle, Rifle and other towns from
five to Is miles away. The presidents
party presented a picturesque appear
ance as they came up. All were on
horseback and they were dressed in
their hunting clothes. They had no
others at the camp. Many of those
in the congregation wore their best.
The dress hats of the worlen were
snowy and in striking contrast to the
mud-spattered tan duck, blue jeans
and other rough materials making up
the costumes of the president and
his fellow hunters. Mr.. Roosevelt
was dressed in the same clothes he
wore when he left his private car
at Newcastle two weeks ago. His
hat was what is known as the
SLOUGH He wore it pulled over his
eyes and badly out of shape. His
jacket was sheep-linea duck, his
trousers Of duck tied about his ankles
with strong chord. His shirt was blue
cotton. He had discarded his leather
chaps and sweater as concession
toward the proper church-going raj
ment. The clothes DR.. Alexander
Lambert and the guides wore were
even rougher. No mountain band of
road agents ever looked more formiyi-
able. The western air of the party
went straight to the hearts of the
people. They applauded and yelled
bOisterous praise of the president, re-
gardless of the day and the fact that
they were virtually in a house of wor-
ship, though the roof was the blue
sky, the floor of soft grass and dead
leaves and the walls were formed by
the crowds on every side.
The Service Begins.
AS soon as the party had taken their
seats the service was begun. The or
ganist played a selection from the
Presbyterian book and the choir sang.
Another selection was played and
sung and this time the congregation
was asked to join. The voices of the
president and DR.. Lambert could be
heard above the others. The congre-
cation was so great and scattered that
the sound of the organ was almost
drowned. When the song was con-
cluded, the Rev. Horace Mann preach
ed his sermon. More music followed
and Mr.. Roosevelt, at the request of
the minister addressed the congre'
cation. He told them how glad he
was to be there, and how much it
pleased him to come face to face with
so many people who were braving
hardships with light hearts and doing
their part in the world without com
planning or bitterness. He told them
the spirit they were displaying is the
quality of the American people that
goes to make this nation of ours. II
was at the conclusion of the presi
dents remarks, when he leaned for
ward and beamed welcome that took
in everyone in the congregation, that
the president looked his best. He
was the picture of rugged health, as
he said:
"And now I want to shake hands
with all of you. There are a good
many of you SO don't stampede or get
too willing"
AS the president made use of these
cattle terms the applause was ter.
rife. He took a position in a corner
between the school house and the
platform, where it was impossible for
the crowd to crowd. DIR. Lambert
acted as chief for the secret service
and the hunters and the cowboys
were his assistants. They pressed
the crowd back and despite the fact
that the president had word for ev
eryone present, the congregation was
disposed of in about half an hour
All remained. however. until the presi
dents party started back to theil
camp.
The Presidents Remarks.