Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-03-14
HOUSE PETS
ANIMALS SENT TO PRESIDENT Bv
ApMIRlNo FRIENDS.
Ultimately Find Their Way TO the
Geological Park and Become Part
Of Great National Collection
--Jaekrsbbit Chase.


have been sent by admiring friends AZ
gifts to tho president and members OF
his family had been allowed 10 remain
At the white House that historic old
structure might easily be turned into
a menagcrie and the grounds sur
rounding II into geological park.
All the presidents. back 10 Washing.
ton himself. have had gifts showered
upon them. and II was not unusual for
these gifts TO assume the shape Of q
wild or domestic animal But II was
not until the present occupants came
10 the White house that the custom
OF making presents OF this character
began 10 assume extensive proper.
tons. This is due. probably, 10 the
presidents known love Of everything
pertaining TO natural history. and TO
the further fact that he is a great
hunter His bent In this direction is
handed down 10 his children.
The gifts to the White House In re-
cent years include almost every Amer
lean small animal capable of being do.
mesticated. With few exceptions they
have been sent 10 the geological park.
there TO become a part OF the great
national collection.
Gifts Of animals from friends IN for
eign countries Sre not at all infre-
Quent. Only recently the president
received from King Menelik OF Abys-
sinIa IN Arabian zebra aud two os-
triches. These can now be seen Mt
the geological park. where they have
attracted wide attention.
This variety OF American animals
ranges from white rats and mice to
cinnamon cub bear. A rmall lion has
also been received. The arrival OF
the opossum. raccoon. or even a cat or
dog. fails OF create more than passing
interest among the younger members
Of the presidential family.
Probably the most commented upon
animal at the White House n the
house cat. slippers. She II different
from ordinary cats In that she has six
toes. Slippers is now a permanent
nxture In the presidents household.
A parrot OF the Mexican double vel.
low head variety n a pet OF which all
the Roosevelt children are fond. II IL
an exceptionally Intelligent bird. and
pronounces distinctly the names OF
the different members Of the family
II has been at the White House for
several years. and was especially fond
Of Mrs. Lonsworth. when she was a
CIR. there. Its voice. shouting Alice"
Alice" Alice" could frequently be
heard ringing through the Railways.
The story OF how two Kansas jack |
rabbits found their way TO the White |
House Is interesting They had been |
brought here from the west by +. s.
schmid. One day. while being fed.
they escaped from their cage.
A wild scramble was made TO cap
turo them by the attendants. but their
training on the plains Of the Sunnower
state stood them well. aud they left
their pursucrs practically at the post.
G street. NJ Twelfth. they
separated. one going east and the
other west. both through busy and
crowded thoroughfares.
Newsboys and messenger boys
joined In the exciting chase after the
rabbits. and for time business In
that vicinity was practically ut a
standstill. Both animals we're large
specimens. and as they spread out
their long limbs many thought they
we're young deer
y distance Of more than two miles.
The other took refuge IN tho White
House grounds. where II remained for
several days. affording an opportunity
'or several hunting expeditions on the
part OF the Roosevelt boys.
A. a means OF capturing this rabbit
Ia mate was taken to the White
House grounds and turned loose. and II
= said both are still there, Mr.. Schmld
having decided. on request OF repre-
'entatives OF the president. mob 20
nolest them further.
Recent additions 10 the family Of
,ets at the White House are two An
FORA cats. These were left to Presi.
lent Roosevelt by the viii OF New
fork woman. who also made him ex.
'cutor of her estate. Tho property
vas turned over by the president TO
no woman's relatives. and. as they
I'D not care for the Angora cats. they
we're given a place In the household
4 the frst family OF the land.
The Roosevelt children also have as
cts several guinea pigs. but II is their
ogs and ponies that give them the
most pleasure. One OF the dogs. Skip.
ras presented TO Archibald while he
Fas bunting bear and other big game
q the Dakotas. The other dogs are
lola. a big St. Bernard. and Sailor
10y. retriever.