Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-07
WHITE HOUSE A TENT
Head of Nation Dined on Veni-
son Yesterday.
IN THE PRESIDENTS CAMP
Bear Hunters Planning to Keep Him
Busy.
STAMB0UL, La, IN LIMEL-GHT
Reported That All the Big and Little
Bruins Are Already Appre-
hensive Over Outlook

"A hl0ot l., Id, ocIODeF t.-ftOII COL
lier the champion Mississippi negro bear
hunter reported at the Presidents camp
early today, ready for business in the
canebrakes. He came down from Green
vile on a boat, and brought with him
fine kennel of dogs, al of which were
yelping as though ready for work in the
jungles. The first report of a killing
since the arrival of the presidential party
was received today
Ben Lilley, Golfers white rival. sue
ceeded in killing fine buck late Satur-
day afternoon soon after he made his ap-
pearance, consequently the President
dined sumptuously yesterday on choice
cut of venison.
Living in Big Box Tent.
The White House today Is a 14-by-16-
foot box tent set up on a clearing in the
wilds of East Carroll parish, La, six
miles due west from Stamboul.
Stamboul is a plantation store and
dozen negro huts upon the 7.OOO-acre es-
tate of John H. Parker, the Presidents
host and a New Orleans cotton broker.
Surrounding this temporary mansion are
half a dozen tents, in which are Quartered
the members of the hunting party. One
Is used as a dining tent and the other as
kitchen. The Presidents tent is board
ed up at the sides and has a floor. Its fur
niture consists of a rough writing desk,
a bed and a few chairs.
There and tramping about through the
adjoining canebrake the President spent
the Sabbath. He started out In search
of bears at sunrise this morning. He had
no intention of hunting Sunday. but even
II he did Ben Lilley would not accom-
pany him. r..l,..
BEN is the old guide whom Mr.. Parker
had secured Texas and Louisiana to find.
He has the reputation of being the best
hunter In Louisiana. He knows every
foot of the ground in this section of the
country Ben is a poor backwoodsman,
but he is Christian and his heart is in
the right place. He would not kill bear
or go hunting Sunday-not even for the
President of the United States.
A Bear Hunter From Wayback.
They say of him and Jim Pittman, the
second biggest planter in the East Car
roll parish vouches for 1t, that Ben has
DScH huoWH icpcdtcuiy ~ ioSh lhC bSai
all day Saturday up to IL o'clock at
night and tree him, then with the beast
in full view, where a single shot would
bring him down, Ben would quietly sit
down on a stump and watch Mr.. Bear
until one minute after II Sunday night
before he fired at him, such is Ben's rev.
erence for the Sabbath. But the Presi-
dent had no disposition to ask him to
break the Sabbath commandment.
Ben Lilley is a character in 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 to act as guide for the hunt
ing party. Years ago Ben had little
farm in West Carroll parish and tried
to raise cattle. but his love for the woods
and hunting led him to desert it.
Weeks and months at time he spends
in the wilds. So much has he been away
from home on these long hunting trips
that two wives have procured divorces
from him on the grounds of desertion.
In winter time Ben wears no socks and
cuts holes in his boots. The reason which
he assigns for this fashion in footwear
is that sometimes in tracking game he is
forced to wade through streams. He
argues that If he wore socks they would
keep his feet wet, while without any
and with holes in his boots the water
puts his feet in good condition, and thus
he avoids colds and chills.
Bears Are Already Apprehensive.
Ben brought his faithful old dog Joe
with him, but coming on the train the
dog injured a foot and will not be able
to participate in the hunt. This has
been The only setback thus far to the
hunting party. However, a number of
dogs have been provided, and they will
be able to work.
Everything is in good condition, and as
he is comfortably housed, the President
keenly anticipates good sport today. Sec
retary Latta is quartered at the planta-
ton house of Leo Shields. near Stam
boul, and about four miles from the
camp. The two sec ct service men are at
the Mckenzie plantation, six miles away.
Secretary Latta will ride out to camp
every other day to keep the President in
touch with official business. The Presi-
dent did not attend church yesterday,
but spent some time In reading in his
tent.
The bears have become apprehensive
and are on the lookout for the distin-
guished hunter. Sheriff Will Dun had
pet bear, but yesterday Mr.. Bear hung
himself with the chain to which he was
attached while attempting to jump over
fence and get away.
Today Mr.. Metcalf Joined the party
and brought with him the negro guide,
Holt Collier, who hunted with the Presi-
dent in Mississippi. Holt brought his
pack of hounds.
READY FOR REAR HHNT