The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1909-03-26
ROOSEVELT Off
IN HIGH SPIRITS
Waves Farewell From the
Bridge of the Hamburg.
Headed For the WildS of Africa
Gift From PreSi-
dent Taft.

On board steamship Hamburg, March
%, via wireless:
Former President Roosevelt spent
the better part of the afternoon in
his first few hours at sea in resting
from the fatigue of his strenuous de-
parture. The weather was clear and
balmy the sea smooth and altogether
the day was such one as would
tempt the seavoyager to the deck and
open air, but Mr.. Roosevelt had risen
early and has passed through a most
firing though pleasing experience, so
he decided after luncheon to seek the
seclusion of his stateroom.
Kermit Roosevelt and the other
members OF the party, however, spent
the afternoon in the open resting In
deck chairs.
mt. Roosevelt and his party had
luncheon and dinner at Capt. Bur-
meister's table. At both meals the
ex-President's expedition into Africa
was the chief topic. and Mr.. Roose-
welt spoke enthusiastically of the
pleasure the hunting trip afforded
him"
New York March 23.-Waving a
parting farewell with his black SLOUGH
hat his face beaming in the morning
sun as he stood on the captains bridge
of the steamship Hamburg, former
President Theodore Roosevelt, now
Americas most distinguished private
citizen. sailed today for his long-plan-
ned African "safari."
He left his native shore amid the
cheers of thousands of persons that
swarmed the neutrality-suspicious. Line
pier the whistles of countless river
craft and thunderous reverberatious
of the former Presidents salute of
thirteen guns from Fort Hamilton and
Wadsworth.
Beside the happy figure of the for
mer Chef Magistrate as the big steam
ship slipped out of her dock stood a
young lad seemingly detected as he
wistfully gazed at the cheering null
titude on the pier below. 1t was Ker-
NIT Roosevelt son of Mr. Roosevelt
who accompanied his father as official
photographer on the expedition. Faith
er and son botn clad in brilliant buff
hued army coats which shone in the
sun, remained on the bridge on the
trip down the bay and acknowledged
with sweeps of their hats the salutes
of the vessels.
The demonstration was unofficial
In character but many high in the af-
fairs of the nation were present.
The crowd in its enthusiasm bowl
ed over the lines of policemen on the
pier, surrounded the former President
while ne was being presented a bronze
tablet by the Italian-American Cham
Der of Commerce, and before he was
again safely back on the sheltering
gang plank knocked mis- hat from
his head and caused him to drop a
vacuum bottle which had been present.
ed by some admiring Pittsburg friends
Fortunately Mr.. Roosevelt was not
hurt in the rush and ne seemed to
enjoy his experience with the crowd.
True to his promise. Mr.. Roose-
welt made no statements regarding his
coming hunt in the jungles of British
East Africa other than to say that he
probably would be gone about a year
and quarter. Mr.. Roosevelt eschew-
ed politics to inQuiring friends and
contented himself with expressions of
appreciation of the kindly farewells
Of those who came to see MIN off.
One incident of the departure which
touched Mr.. Roosevelt probably more
than any other was the presentation
OF message and gift from President
Taft, by Capt. Archibald Butt, who
was chief military aide to Mr.. Roose-
welt and who at present occupies that
position under President Taft. Capt.
Butt had difficult time In reaching
Mr. Roosevelt. 1t was imperative that
he should do so, as he carried a mes
sage from the President which requir-
ed reply. Finally after Mr.. Roose-
welt had boarded the snip second
time, Capt. Butt reached him In mis-
stateroom.