Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-12-25

FNtty, satN EfeSldSnt Roosevelt az he
code past myself and three Of the semi
nary girls Ia Rock Creek Park, near
The Forest Glen entrance, on Thanks
giving Day The President rode by
lelscely, not stopping, and as he pass
Cd tie foot Of one of the girls was
knocked from her stirrup, and the
Presidents riding crop fell viciousiy
upon the flank Of the horse she was
riding. Had she not been an excellent
horsewoman, serious injury ts her
might have followed. The Presidcut
sho seemed in great rage, and his
party rode on, not looking back. de
not know whether the blow he struck
was intentional. We were unaecsm-
panied by male escorts.n
The foregoing statement was made
tonight by Miss +. /. sisson, instruct.
" in an exclusive seminary fer young
ladies' located in Maryland, near the
District line. She vas recountIng an
experience which she a. ehaperon,
aud three young women students, two
OF whom are daughters Of wealthy
Texas and Chicago men, underwent
on Thanksgiving Day in Rock Creek
Park.
Miss Sisson tonight asserted lat the
residents action was intended asa
rebuke fer the young ladies' and her
self because they had ridden past the
Presidential party aud took the road
before Mr.. Roosevelt, instead Of follow
ms bis party.
| While The affair had not become
public u I'll tonight, many prominent
people of Washif gten have been told
ofthe occurrence, and it is no great
distance from the spot where the affair
occurred.
! When asked about the matter to-
night, Miss sisson, who was seated In
lie pallor ofthe ssmlasfy, saia There
could not possibly be any mistake la
the man who febuked her and the
young ladies with her.
~ know II was President Roose.
welt, +" she said.
II would rather not give the ns mes
of thu young ladies who were with
me, " she continued, "for two Of them
are at home fer the holidays aud tho
other is not here at present, but an,
perfectly willing that my name be
used, for do not understand the Press
dents action. None of the youag
women intended an affront, and SO far
s | know TO thu contrary, cur action
did not constitute lese majestic.
"We had been riding In the park
for some time and about noon were
lrotting along tile regular read, nol
the bridal path, near the Forest Glene
ehtrance. When we made turn IN
the road we saw ahead Of us party Of
70 uI--tve ladies, man and the Presis
dent. Behind Them rode an attendant.
"We riding spirited horses, and for
some.distsnce rode behind the PresE-
de ntial party until we found difficulty
In Keeping our mounts III practically
walk. Then We gave the horses the
rein and passed those ahead OF us. We
proceeded at COED clip for little dis
lance, slowing cur horses down again,
and then we heard the pounding of
hoofs behind US. The girls aud | were
riding two abreast, and the rode is not
very wide at that point.
"Before we were aware Of ii, the
President, apparently very angry, and
his party were beside us, making four
abreast in the roadway, which crowded
as no little. As he brushed past bis
horse struck tile fsot Of the young
woman beside me, knocking ii from
the stir.up and at the same time
blow from the Presidents crop fell ON
the horses flank, The young weman's
horse reared, and but for her cooincss
aud admirable hcrsemanship, she
! might have been thrown beneath the
feet Of the horses.
Mr. Roosevelt looked at Us square,
ly. You know you should not 20
ahead of our party, he said, his testh
showing. Then he pounded OF with
his companions The girls and myself
were too much mortified to reply We
rode back TO the seminary and, bile
all ofus believed the matter should be
given all the light possible because we
think that the action Of the President
WIS unwarranted and Unprecedented,
tie girls were reluctant TO have their
IN ames appear, because they are highly
connected and they know that TIER
parents dislike the notouety attend
ant upon such an affair"