The Washington herald., 1907-10-07

Stamboul La, oct 6-The White
House to-day is a fourteen by sixteen
foot box tent. set up oa a clearing in
the wilds of East Carroll Parish, Louis
lana. six miles west from stambouI
Stamboul is plantation store and a
dozen negro huts upon the estate OF John
H Parker tie Presidents host and a
New Orleans cotton broker
Sheriff William Dun. near here. had
pet bear, but yesterday Mr.. Bear hanged
himself wiki his chain, to which he was
attached, while attempting to jump over
a fence and get away. 1t is said he had
been informed that the President was
coming.
Surrounding this temporary mansion
of the Chief Executive are half
dozen tents in which are quartered
the members of the hunting party. one
Is used as a kitchen and another as a
dining car" The Presidents tent Is
boarded up at the side and has a floor
It's furniture consists of a rough writing
desk, bed, and a few chairs.
There and trampins about through the
Rdjoining canebrakes the President spent
the Sabbath. He will start out in search
of bears at sunrise tomorrow morn
ing.
He had no intention Of hunting on sun
nay, but even if he had Ben Lilley would
not accompany him. Ben is the old guide
whom M. Parker has secured Texas and
Louisiana to find. He has the reputation,
and justly so, Of being the best hunter
IN Louisiana. He knows every foot of the
ground in this section.
No Sunday Hunter.
Ben is a good Jackwoodsman, but he is
a Christian, and his heart is in the right
place. lie would not kill bear or go
hunting on Sunday, not even for the
President Of the United States.
They say OF him-aud Jim Pittmaa.
the second biggest planter in the East
Carroll Parish voUches for G-that Ben
has been known repeatedly 20 track the
bear all day Saturday up to y o'clock at
night and tree him.
q single shot would bring him down Ben
would quietly sit down on a stump and
watch Alr- Bear Iutu one minute after
y Sunday night before he fired at him.
Such is Ben's reverence for the Sab
bath But the President had no disposi-
tiCn to ask him TO break the command
menL Ben LIlley is q character ia whom
the President has taken a great interest.
Mr.. Parker found him in Texas a few
days ago and arranged to have him come
here. Years ago Ben had a little farm in
West Carroll Parish. and tried 10 raise
cattle, but his love for the woods and
hunting led him TO desert il.
Weeks and months M a time he spends
in the Wilts. So much has he been away
from home on these long hunting trius
that two wives have obtained divorces
from him on the ground Of deseruon.
Gets Close 10 Nature.
In the winter time Ben wears no sock.
and cuts holes in his boots. The reason
which be assigns FOR This fashion in
footwear is that sometimes IN tracking |
game he is forced 20 wade through /
streams. He argues that if he wore 4
socks they would keep his feet wet /
while without any, and with holes in /
his boots. the water runs off, and soon
the natural warmth puts his feet in good /
condition, and thus he avoids colds and /
chHls
Ben brought his faithful Old dog Joe" /
with him. but coming on the train the
dog injured a foot and viii not be able f.
70 participate in the hunt
This has been the only setback Tins
far to the hunting party. Many dogs
have been provided and they will be /
quite able 20 work.
Everything is in iii condition. and as he .
Is comfortably housed, the President
keenly anticipates good sport.
Secretary Lattd is quartered az the
plantation house OF Lee Shields. near
STEAMBOAT. and about four miles from
the camp. The two Secret Service men
are AT Mckenzie plantation. six miles
away. Secretary Latta viii ride out TO /
camp every day 10 keep the President in
touch with official business.
AIr. Roosevelt wants to be left entirely
alone. The bears have become appre- /
hensive and are on the lookout for the
distinguished hunter
Secretary Metcalf viii join the partv
tomorrow. and bring with him the negro /
guide Holt Collier. who hunted with the
President in Mississippi. Holt will bring
his pack Of hounds