The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1906-11-23
Presidents IlrqinIa Home.

Editor Heraid.-My business en-
gagements for today led me into the
neighborhood OF the Roosevelt Virginia
home, in the county Of Albemarle, and
then curiosity took me TO the very
spot. / found an old-fashioned gate
leading to the house, and was shocked
to find il chained 10 huge post with
a time-worn paddock, which united
link 10 link. Nothing daunted how
ever, dismounted determined if pos
sble TO force an entrance. To my re-
lief found that it was easy work TO
separate two links, and the gateway
was flung wide open. drove through
an old broom sedge field for some 200
yards, crossed a small branch and be-
IAN TO ascend a gentle hillock. On lis
crown and in a dense thicket ] came
suddenly upon "Pine Knot'-a mo-
dest and unattractiye wooden struc-
ture, some . feet in length by l2wide,
built Of sap pine, story aud half high,
void Of architectural beauty, and not a
cottage feature about il. Nothing
strikingly rustic except that the front
porch which extends the entire front
Of the dwelling with an old-iime drop
roof to it, was supported by cedar
posts from which the bark had not
been trimmed, nor the knots cut. The
back porch isn't bigger than = good
sized goods box, and there / saw rude
table upon which no doubt the 'iirsl
lady Of the land picked the birds
skinned the hsres and washed th'
dishes. The blinds were tightly closed
and as "Dickn who carries the key
couldn't be found, ! didn't get even
peep at the interior. There are no on
houses, not even chicken coop nor dos
kennel. The spring Of pure water il
convenient. while the trees about The
house are altogether Of the dwar
species. No flower bed, nor evergreen
nor rustic seat, nor stile nor hors
rock. But it is quiet nook Of quiet
est kind, and unless the hooting owl
the barking fox or croaking frog dis
turb them during the night watches
then indeed must their slumbers b
undisturbed.
was told by an old lady in tn
neighborhood that tinge Of romano
is connected with the purchase Of th
place by Mrs. Roosevelt, the deed O
the Is acres having been made to bel
As the story goes she and one OF tn
Wilmer brothers, who own large e
tates in the neighborhood, were ono
sweethearts, and at bis invitation
= Teddy, Jr., first visited in his Vii
% GINA home and then the mother. IN
; was 80 charmed with the unrestraine'
freedom, as well a. the Virginia hos
I pitality, that she expressed a desire {
have a rest-of spot nearby. The bill
top was selected, aud the home ordel
ed.
Thus came Mr.. Roosevelt an
though he had been COW boy, and SAINT
ago hero. he too became enamored
the spot, and the sports, and will n
doubt continue TO come TO "Pine Knot
; a, long as he can level gun, wait
{ a turkey blind OF follow a possum do
He is booked to return for Christina
e and the neighborhood turkey hunte
is under bonds to see that he gets a
other turkey.
Speaking Of turkey reminds me
E. saw that Just before reaching the gat
way 10 his home / ran into a lar
flock ofmagnifeent turkeys, and
n once concluded that they were q
y same family from which the Pre-
dent got his prize, but they failed
5. fly as got near TO them, aud thou.
10 it was long way to an inhsbiu
dwelling, was soon satisfied IN
d. they were tame. And then ! "
driven TO the conclusion that o
Chief Magistrate didn't get a vi
turkey after all. However, II he
Heves 50. 1 wouldn't for ten turke
"a dispel the delusion. As a hunii
le ground center, Mrs. Roosevelt B
~ chosen wisely and well,