The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-01
The President Attends Services
at the School House.
Whole Party Appears Wearing
Hunting Raiment.
TALKS 30 THE PEOPLE.
Tells Them Not to Stampede or
Get to Milling
And He VIII Shake Hands With
Everyone.

Unique in the history OF Colorado was
the church services held at the ola
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 a tenth part large enough to ac-
comnaodate the congregation, and as a
result the organ was moved to TIE
platform in front. On this B.hatform
seats We're provided for the president
and his party, the Rev. Horace
Mann, of Rifle. Col, who preached the
sermon, the choir and the trustees Of
me church. The members of the con-
gregation stood or sat on the ground
or in their cOnveyances which we're
grouped around the building.
The sermon by the Rev Mr.. Mann
was one Of an unusual kind. 1t began
with story, teeming with slang of a
western flavor, and was full of advice
suited to congregation inuring itself
20 the hardships of mountain life. It
touched upon the responsibilities of
the position of president as well as the
characteristics Of some of the men
who have occupied that exalted place.
After he had concluded the president
spoke for about ten minutes. He ex-
pressed his well known views on good
citizenship. the morality of man. pa.-
Griotism and duty to the home and
country. He was cheered heartily
throughout his remarks. After the
services We're concluded, he shook
hands with every man. woman and
child present.
In Hunting Garb.
The services at the school house
were begun at IL o'clock. Long be-
fore that hour the ranchmen and their
wives began to assemble. Many per
sons drove or rode horseback from
Newcastle, Rifle and other towns from
1--WE to fifteen miles away. The presi-
dents party presented a picturesque
appearance IS they came up. All were
on horseback and they were dressed
IN their hunting clothes. They had 10
others at the camp. Many of those ia
the congregation wore their best. The
dresses and hats of the women were
SNOWY and in striking contrast to the
mud gpatteTed 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 sheeplined duck, his trous-
ers Of duck tied about his ankles with
strong cord. His shirt was blue cotton.
lie had discarded his leather chaps"
and sweater as a concession toward the
proper church going rafment The
clothes Of DR.. Alexander Lambert and
the guides were even rougher. No
mountain band of road agents ever
looked more formidable. The western
air of the party went straight to the
hearts of the people. They applauded
and yelled bOisterous praise of the pres
4dent, regardless OF the day and the
fact they were virtually in a house of
worship though the roof was the blue
Of r.EN 4
leaves and the walls were formed by
the mountains on every side.
Roosevelt Makes Address.
AS soon as the party had taken their
seats the service was begun. The or
ganist played a selection from the
Presbyterian hymn book and the choir
sang Another selection was played and
sung and this time the congregation
was asked to join. The voice of the
president and Dr. Lambert could be
heard above the others. The congrega-
4on was so great and scattered that the
gahnd Of the organ was almost drown
eq When the song was concluded, the
l-ev. Horace Mann preached his ser
mon. More music followed, and Mr.
roosevelt. at the request OF the minis
ter, addressed the congregation.
He told how glad he was to be there
and how it pleased him to come face to
face with so many people who are brav-
tng hardships with light hearts and
doing their part in life without COM
them
the spirit they We're displaying is the
chief quality of the American people
that goes to make this the greatest of
an countries. 1t was at the conclusion
OF the presidents remarks, when he
leaned forward and beamed a welcome
that took in every one in the congrega-
tion that the president looked his best.
He was the picture Of rugged health as
he said.
And now I want to shake hands with
al or you. There are good many of
you, so don't stampede or get to mill
ing"
AS the president made use of these
cattle terms, the applause was terrific
lie took position in a corner made by
the schoolhouse and the platform. where
sc was impossible for the peopIe TO
crowd. DR.. Lambert acted as chief of
the secret service and the hunters and
cowboys as his assistants. They passed
the crowd along, and despite the foot
that the president had a word for nearly
everyone present the congregation was
disposed Of in about half an hour. An
remained, however, until the presidents
party started back for their camp.
Bagged One BObcat.
Courier Elmer Chapman arrived here
last night from Camp Roosevelt The
presidents hunting party had an mn
guccessful dsy Saturday, Tagging only
one bObcat. The hunters are moi fuIlv
decided on the question of moving the
camp. The game is so plentiful on West
8JiFfue creek that they may remain
there for the balance of their stav i'm
the mountains, though they had been
planning to go to the head of Garfield
creek, about fifteen miles from here
early in the week. There Is one ob5eo-
tioh, however. At least two days would
be lost in making the change Score
tary Loeb viii visit the president to-
day in company with Chapman