The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-03-06

ANIMALS SENT TO PRESIDENT BY
ADmIRlNe FRIENDS.
Ultimately Find Their Way to the
Geological Park and Become Part
Of Great National Collection
-Iaekrabhit Chase.


If all the animals and birds which
have been sent by admiring friends as
gifts to the president and members Of
his family had been allowed to remain
at the White House that historic old
structure might easily be turned into
a menagerie and the grounds sur
rounding it into geological park.
All the presidents. back to Washing
ton himself, have had gifts showered
upon them, and it was not unusual for
these gifts to assume the shape Of
wild or domestic animal. But it was
not until the present occupants came
to the White house that the custom
Of making presents of this character
began TO assume extensive proper
tions This is due, probably, to the
presidents known love of everything
pertaining to natural history, and to
the further fact that he is great
hunter. His bent in this direction Is
handed down to his children.
The gifts to the White House in re-
cent years include almost every Amer
ican small animal capable of being do
mesticated With few exceptions they
have been sent to the geological park,
there to become part of the great
national collection.
Gifts Of animals from friends in for
eign countries are not at all iufre-
quent. Only recently the president
received from King Menelik Of Abys-
sinia an Arabian zebra and two os-
triches. These can now be seen at
the geological park. where they have
attracted wide attention.
The variety of American animals
ranges from white rats and mice to a
cinnamon cub bear. A small lion has
also been received. The arrival Of
the opossum. raccoon, oreven 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 is the
house cat, Slippers She is different
from ordinary cats in that she has six
toes Slippers is now a permanent
fixture in the presidents household.
"A parrot Of the Mexican double vel
low head variety is a pet Of which all
the Roosevelt children are fond. 1t is
an exceptionally intelligent bird, and
pronounces distinctly the names of
the different members Of the family.
It has been at the White House for
several years. and was especially fond
Of Mrs. Longworth, when she was a
girl there. Its voice, shouting Alice, /"
Alice Alice could frequently be
heard ringing through the Railways.
The story OF bow two Kansas jack
rabbits found their way to the White
House is interesting. They had been
brought here from the west by E. S.
Schmid One day, while being fed,
they escaped from their cage.
A wild scramble was made to cap
ture them by the attendants, but their
training on the plains Of the Sunfiower
state stood them well. and they left
their pursuers practically at the post.
Reaching G street, at Twelfth, they
separated, one going east and the
other west, both through busy and
crowded thproughfares.
Newsboys and messenger boys
| Joined in the exciting chase after the
rabbits, and for a time business in
that vicinity was practically at a
standstill Both animals were large
specimens, and as they spread out
their long limbs many thought they
were young deer.
One Of the rabbits was captured at
distance Of more than two miles.
The other took refuge In the White
House grounds. where it remained for
several days, affording an opportunity
fcr several hunting expeditions on the
part OF the Roosevelt boys.
As a means Of capturing this rabbit
its mate was taken to the White
House grounds and turned loose, and II
is said both are still there, Mr.. Schmid
having decided. ON request Of repre-
sentatlves Of the president, not to
molest them further.
Recent additions to the family Of
pets at the White House are two An
CORA cats. These were left to Presi
dent Roosevelt by the will Of q New
York woman. who also made him ex
ecutor Of her estate. The property
was turned over by the president t
the woman's relatives, and, as they
did not care for the Angora cats, they
were given a place in the household
Of the first family of the land
The Roosevelt children also have al
pets several guinea pigs, but it is theil
dogs and ponies that give them the
most pleasure. One Of the dogs. Skip
was presented to Archibald while h'
was hunting bear and other big game
in the Dakotas. The other dogs ar,
Roila, big St. Bernard. and Sailol
Boy, a retriever.