Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-07-02
CLEVELAND
The Ex-President's Love of Sport
and Nature.
ALWAYS A TRUE SPORTSMAN.

Scorned Wanton Slaughter and Loved
to Fish and Hunt-Amusins Incident
of a Fishing Trip-His View of
Serene Duck Hunter.
AS 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,
1.-THE oldest inhabitants" along Lime
stone creek and the Black river, near
Holland Patent, n Y, will tell you to
this day that young Cleveland was as
good trapper as ever trod the creeks
banks. They say he was a sportsman
always, not pot hunter.
His physical condition mirrored the
wholesome soul that was within him.
He was big, full blooded, rosy cheek
ed boy who enjoyed life as he found
it. He practiced 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 Slaugh-
ter, says the New York World. He be-
came philosophic fisherman and what
he himself called a 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 cOmpaniOnship of rs good n
sportsman as himself, like the late
Joseph Jefferson, the actor, or e. c.
Benedict, or Fighting Bob Evans,
who, by the way, Mr. Cleveland strong
ly urged should have been made an adj
Man waters.
Such recreation paid" In every sense
Mr.. Cleveland firmly believed. Once
he wrote, with 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 4
large share of the time which has been
devoted to the concoction 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 a fisherman to his marvellous pa
tience.
"Mr. Cleveland could sit for hours
and watch bis line without sign of
uneasiness or impatience," said Mr..
Jefferson. He would talk and joke
and smoke as if he was as far removed
from the presidency as l was"
did he ever talk politics|'
mo. When he fished he fished and
never thought of anything else"
While out fishing one day, dressed in
oilskin and a SLOUGH hat, Mr.. Cleveland
was accOSted by an amateur fisherman
dressed in the height of fashion in out
ing tOgS.
Hello, there, boatman" called out
the stranger, who saw that Mr. Cleve-
land had made Il good catch. What
will you take for your fish,"
I'm not selling them" replied Mr..
Cleveland
well, what do you want to take me
out fishing tomorrow"
Mr. Cleveland laughed, enjoying the
joke.
4 can't make any engagement ex-
cept by the season. Will you give me
as much as l made last year,
you're a sharp fellow, but you're
mighty fine fisherman, and I'll accept
your terms. How mr"h did you earn"
ooh, about $1,000 Il week was
president Of the United States"
Again Cleveland, one of the hardest
workers who ever held office declared:
Men may accumulate wealth in neglect
of the law of recreation, but how infinite
ly much they will forfeit In the dcpriva-
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-
itude!
Mr. Cleveland thus described the
HOnOrabl Order of Serene Duck Hunt
ers:
1t must be frankly confessed that the
members of this fraternity cannot claim
the ability to kill ducks as often as Is
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 the
cultivation of the more delicate and ele-
waiting susceptibilities which ducking
vironments should invite. Under the in
fiuence of these susceptibilites there is
developed a pleasing and innocent self
deception, which induces the belief on
the part of those with whom 1t has lodg-
ment that both abundant shooting skill
and a thorough familiarity with all that
pertains to the theory of duck hunting
are entirely in their possession and con
troll.
They are also led to the stimulation of
reciprocal credulity, which seasons and
makes digestible tales of ducking adven-
ture. Nor does bloody activity distract
their attention from their obligations to
each other as members Of their especial
brotherhood or cause them to overlook
the rule which requires them to stand
solidly together in the promotion and
protection at all hazards of the shooting
reputation Of every one of their associ-
ates. These may well be called the Sc
rene duck hunters.
Invincible Americans.
The entries for the Olympic games In
London closed the other day. and they