The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-09-01
OLYMPIC GAMES
v|CTORS CALL
ON PRESIDENT
Warm Welcome at Oyster Bay
For Athletes
RECEIVED BY THE FAMILY
Cheers by Sturdy Americ ans Most
vooiferous on Record at Roose
welt Residence.

oyster Bay, n. Y, Sept with
a gun from the local yacht club boom
ing a rousing welcome, the American
Olympic team, yictors in the recent
events in London, steamed into Oys-
ter Bay Monday for their visit to
President Roosevelt.
When they left their boat and
reached the top of Sycamore Hill,
MIR. Roosevelt was ON his veranda,
where he had been scanning them as
they approached, two abreast, whist
ling "A Hot Time in the Old Town
Tonight"
James f. Sullivan, the American
commissioner, was the first received
by the president. They then entered
the reception room.
After shaking hands with the other
members of the committee, the pres
iden took up a position with Mrs.
Roosevelt and their son Kermit
Commissioner Sullivan acted as mast
Ter of ceremonies, presenting his
brawny charges in turn. The presi-
dent grasped each by the hand and
spoke few words of mingled greet
ing and commentator.
John j. Hayes, the Marathon win
ner, had the distinction of being the
first 10 be presented.
Il am proud of you said the presi-
dent, as he gave Hayes a vigorous
handshake. Your feat was marvel
Gus. You won a great race and |
am glad of it,"
Before Hayes had realized how
warm was the presidents greeting,
the president had swung him around
and turned him over to Mrs Roose'
welt, and she and Kermit then en-
gagged him in conversation. Melvin
Sheppard next came up. The win
ner of 1900 meter race beamed all
over when the president assured him
that it was a bully victory which
he and the boys had won in Lon
don.
Texanina, the Indian who came in
ninth In the Marathon race, unmis
takably pleased the president immen
sely.
II am glad, indeed" he said to him
that real original American com
peted for America and represented
the country abroad. 1t was a fine
showing that you made"
When the last man had been grasp
ed by the hand and had passed int
the dining room and partaken of re
freshments, Mr.. Roosevelt followed
in.
Some one proposed three cheers To-
the greatest president the Unitet
States ever had, Theodore Roose
welt" and everybody responded. KeT
nit Roosevelt confined a statemen
that never before had the house OF
Sycamore Hill resounded with sucl
a volumn of sounds. Mr.. Roosevelt
checked an effort to repeat the cheer
and addressed the athletes.
Mr.. Roosevelt sat with Mr.. Sull
van in the dining room during the re
mainder of the visit and appeared L
be greatly interested in the first han
, representations which Mr.. Sulliva
was able to give him of the grea
| contests in London. Some of tn
: talk was confidential and Mr.. Sull
] van would not disclose all that tn
/ president said or all the inquire
| that he made of the commissioner
/ The president, il is known express
3 ed to Mr.. Sullivan great pleasur
over the overwhelming victory Of tn
: lAmerican team over the teams of a
l other competing nations, and adj
4 led
1T was infinitely better to bes
e them on their own grounds than
e they had come over here"
r John J. Flanagan the weigl
h thrower, and Melvin Sheppard, III
y runner, presented the president wit
e their medals. Mr.. Roosevelt protes
n ed that he could not accept, but
e was explained to him that both Fla
agan and Sheppard had others e
>, actly like those which they were G
fering him, and thereupon he co
q scented to keep them as souvenirs
the Olympiad of 1908.
- After the refreshments and Il
II speech of the president, all hant
e went out upon the veranda an
If grouped about, Mr.. Roosevelt, thu
q had their picture taken. Mr.. Roos
welt again shook hands with eve
~ member of the party and the at
Il letes gathered upon the lawn
r. front of the house and gave rousil
cheers for the president and membe
te of his family. Departing they san
40 "For He's a jolly Good Fellow" u
N til they were out of sight and hei
nf ing, on their way back to New YoI
III