Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-03
PRESIDENT HAS FALL
Thrown Into Rock Creek by
Spirited Horse.
HE SUFFERS NO INJURIES
Thoroughly Drenched, But Remounts
and Rides On.
MANY WITNESS THE ACCIDENT
Mr.. Roosevelt Pleased With Horse
manship He Displayed and His
Presence of Mind.
MANY WITNESS THE ACCIDENT

That President Roosevelt was thrown
from his horse yesterday and menaced
by death or serious injury is admitted
at the White House today. The Presi-
dent himself told of the accident to
several callers.
The accident occurred in Rock Creek
Park The President escaped unhurt.
but got wetting Mrs. Roosevelt was
with the President,
Rumors of the affair which gained
currency last night We're denied at the
White House nj that time. Ne'tter the
President nor Mrs. Roosevelt spoke of
the affair upon their return. The ru-
mors came from the occupants of sew
eral carriages who saw the accident
The President was dressed in khaki.
and the fact that he got thoroughly wet
did not become apparent TO those who
saw him after the accident. Several car
riages which had crossed the ford just
ahead or the President stopped and the
occupants were alarmed al what was hap
pening.
The experience. with its many exceed
in.ly serious possibilities. has not dulled
the edge of the Presidents pleasure in
riding He takes considerable gratifica-
ton in the test of his hOrsemanslip. as
both times the animal reared he 1nStlnc-
lively threw himself forward so that his
head was directly beside that OF the
rearing animal and the reinS being
thrown loose had no tension whatever 10
pun the horse backward.
Rode Untried Horse.
The President has not done much horse
back riding lately. Although one of his
favorite recreations. he has spent most Of
his leisure hours recently playing tennis.
His favoritp riding horses have been out
of condition That is one reason ne has
not INDUCED in this pleasure.
The best mount in the stable is Spir-
tied young horse. four years old. that had
not been tried by either the President or
his orderly. Recently purchased. II was
the duty of his orderly to thoroughly try
the horse before the President undertook
To mount IT.
Mr. Roosevelt decided to ride this horse
Yesterday without waiting for this test.
Ac.ompaned by Mrs. Roosevelt and TIN"
orderly he started from the White House.
The President found the horse had an In
clipatiun to rear when nervous or startled.
II was dec ded to cross Rock creek at !,
Mace where the water was about two feet
deep with A rock bottom. The opposite
side of the creek was steep incline. run
ming sharply mp from the water.
The horse had barely reached the oppo-
site shore aud started 10 ascend When II
reared straight up on its hind legs.
The President realized the danger of the
animal falling over backward on the steep
hank Ins1inctively and with the training
Of wears he dropped the reins and threw
his whole weight forward upon the horse $
neck. by sheer weight forcing its fore feet
to the ground.
President Is Thrown.
The animal! however. still nervous had
NOT gone forward three steps before IL
reared again. This time the horse over
balanced himself and the President fell.
both going over backward into the creek.
He freed his feet and as best he could,
threw himself from the saddle and away
as far as possible from the animal which
foil into the water with splash. The
President landed in the water less than
:, foo; above the struggling. kicking
feet.
Instantly Mr.. Roosevelt ran upstream
~ 90, away from the struggling beast.
which fortunately had fallen below It's
rider and down the stream
half dozen people in carriages wit
messed the accident and offered assist
.nce The President did not need aid
The orderly quickly had the horse out OF
the stream and upon the bank, where
the President again mounted ana con-
tinted his ride.
|, was an hour and IA half afterward
when Pres dent and Mrs. Roosevelt re
turnea To the White House. BY that tim.
me new horse had learned to know a
master.
Th. President did not sustain single
pruise The fall from the horses back To
the stream bed WAS distance of more
than ten feet. The stream Was about two
/ .l..,.t,