Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-07-03
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
The Ex-President's Love Of Sport
and Nature.

eaItu iAakutG "
ALWAYS A TRUE SPORTSMAN.
scorned Wanton Slaughter and Loved
to Fish and Hunt Amusing Incident
Of q Fishing Trip-His View Of
Serene Duck Hunter.
AS a boy the late Grover Cleveland,
former president Of the United States,
loved to hunt and fish and swim. He
was an out Of doors boy. And men,
''the oldest inhabitants, along Lime
stone creek and the Black river, near
Holland Patent, N. z. will tell you to
this day that young Cleveland was as
good trapper as ever trod the creeks
banks. They say he was sportsman
always, not a pot hunter.
His physical condition mirrored the
wholesome soul that was within him.
He was a big, full blooded, rosy cheek.
ed boy who enjoyed life as he found
it. He practiced a youthful philosophy
which smacked Of stoicism that was
the seeding Of craftsmanship that
was to blossom early In the serious
days of his career.
He was true sportsman all his life
In his love of nature, his thankfulness
to the Giver of all good things and his
scorn, almost horror, Of wanton slaugfl.
ter, says the New York World. He be-
came philosophie fisherman and what
he himself called serene duck hunter.
Without neglecting his own business
or shifting official burdens to less able
shoulders he seized every opportunity
to get near to nature with his rod or
gun in companionshfp Of as good
sportsman as himself, like the late
Joseph Jefferson, the actor, or %. q.
Benedict, or Fighting Bob Evans,
who, by the way, Mr.. Cleveland strong
" urged should have been made an adj
mfral when his feet reached CaIifor-
MAN waters -s
Such recreation paid In every sense
Mr.. Cleveland firmly believed. Once
he wrote, with a certain cynicism:
There can be no doubt that the prom
Use of Industrial peace, Of contented labor
and of healthful moderation In the pur-
suit of wealth In this democratic country
Of ours would be infinitely improved if q
large share Of the time which has been
devoted to the connection Of trust and
business had been spent in fishing.
The late Charles Jefferson, son Of the
noted actor, with whom Mr.. Cleveland
often went fishing, attributed his luck
as q fisherman to his marvellous pa.
tience
# ''Mr Cleveland could sit for hours
and watch his line without sign Of
uneasiness or impatience,. said Mr..
Jefferson. 'sHe would talk ana Joke
and smoke as if he was as far removed
from the presidency as I was"
ADid he ever talk politics ~
mo. When he ashed he fished and
never thought Of anything else
While out fishing one day, dressed In
oflskin and a SLOUGH hat, Mr.. Cleveland
was aceosted by an amateur fisherman
dressed in the height OF fashion ia out
ing toys. III
Hello, there, boatmanp' called out
the stranger, who saw that Mr.. CleYe-
land had made a good catch. "What
win You take for your fish ~ .,s
Tim not selling Them. replied Mr..
Cleveland.
Well, what do you want to take me
ont fishing tomorrow"
MT. Cleveland laughed, enjoying the
joke.
7 can't make any engagement ex-
cept by the season. VIII you give me
as much as ] made last year r.
You're sharp fellow, but you're a
mighty fine fisherman, and I'll accept
your terms. How much did you earn? r,
aOh, about $1,000 week. was
president Of the United States 2
Again Cleveland, one of the hardest
workers who ever held office, declared:
Men may accumulsAe wealth in neglect
of the law of recreation, but how infinite-
" much they will forfeit In the dapriva-
ton OF wholesome vigor. In the loss Of
the placid fitness for the quiet Joys and
comforts of advancing years and In the
displacement of contented age by the de-
mon Of querulous and premature decrep-
itudei -
Mr.. Cleveland thus described the
Honorable Order OF Serene Duck Hunt
ers: ~
It must be frankly confessed that the
members OF this fraternity cannot claim
the ability to kill ducks as often an III
required by the highest averages.
This, however, does not In the least Dis
turb their serenity Their compensations
are ample. They are saved from the sor-
did and hardening effects induced by
habitual killing and find pleasure IN tl1e