The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1907-05-31
ROUGH RIDING TRIP
Presidential Party Reaches
Home Mud Bespattered.
RODE IN STORN TO MOUNT VERNON
One of RooscvcIts Explorations ON
Horseback Through Virginia.
Mrs. ard Miss Roosevelt
on the Excursion.

WASHINGTON, May 2s-A badly
mud despatched party, at the head Of
which was President Roosevelt, got OFF
a car of the Washington, Alexandria
and Mount Vernon Electric railway
here shortly before o'clock last night
They had been on a visit to Mount
Vernon, part of the trip being by horse
hack and had been caught I'm heavy
shower. As the result of the storm the
roads were IN fearful condition, and as
the riders progressed they were splash
el from head 10 foot with mud. The
other members of the party besides the
president were Mrs. Roosevelt Miss
Ethel Roosevelt, Postmaster General
Meyer end Captain Fitz-Iugh Lee, one
Of the presidents military aids The
clothing of the entire party was
drcnchod The trip I'm many respects
was a trough riding" one.
The president has-txplored on horse
back much Of the country about Wash
ington lying north Of the Potomac riv-
er. He also has made occasional visits
across the river west of Washington In
the vicinity Of Chain bridge, the AQue
duet bridge ana various other places.
lie was anxious, however, to make the
longer trip 10 Mount Vernon and sey-
oral days ago planned the excursion.
The day broke cloudy and heavy, but
hy 10 o'clock the sun began TO shine
dimly through the clouds, and the pros
poets seemed good for fair weather
The party accordingly started.
The distance from Washington to
Mount Vernon Is sixteen miles. The
trip 10 Alexandria was made 10y trolley
IN half am hour
At the city's outskirts the presidents
orderly. McDcrmott, was awaiting the
party with five good saddle horses. II
took but a few minutes for the party
90 mount aud get off.
They lad cantered along the road.
however. but q few miles when a So
we're storm overlook them. They did
not have time to find shelter Before an
" them got drenched almost 20 the
skim Finally they ospied an unoccu-
l.d farmhouse along the roadside and
Sought shelter under the lean to- at
the rear for half an hour Covering In
lhe outbuildings also was found for
the horses. There was a remarkably
heavy downpour Of rain and vivid
flashes Of lightning, accompanied by
peals Of thunder.
Rain was still falling lightly as the
party again took up the trip to Mount
Vernon. which was reached about 2
O'Clock. almost an hour behind the
scheduled time. Here Colonel Dodge
the superintendent Of the grounds
cave them a cordial welcome, showed
them over the grounds, about 2,OW
acres I'm an. through the mansion and
the various buildings and pointed out
fo them the Fairfax estate in the dis
iance There were n number Of visit
ors at Mount Vernon, and the presi
dent shook hands with them. Lunch
was served in the old house used as
kitchen on state occasions In colonia
times. but now occupied as a dining
room. Colonel Dodge was one Of th'
party at lunch.
The guests were ready TO return e
Washington at half past o'clock. bu
again a rain set I'm and delayed then'
Tben the sun shone again, and th'
partv set of for Washington.
.The ride up to Alexandria was SIP
norv and muddy" said one Of the par
fv. "but there were no mishaps, an'
we had n Jolly time, all the same.