The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-09-28
THRILLING AUTO RIDE
MADE OVER MOUNTAINS
John Hays Hammond, the Mining En-
gineer, Goes With Taft Down
Into the Mine and Is Taken
For a Greenhorn.

Helena, Mont, September 27.-Attired in
linen duster, old black slouch hat
and swinging an electric lantern at his
side, President Taft was locked in
narrow iron cage and dropped 1900 fee.
through midnight blackness into the
depths of the famous old Leonard copper
mine at Butte today. When he had as
cended, after half an hour under ground,
the President, blinking in the glare of the
MONDAY sun, was cheered to the echo
by the crowd of curious people gathered
at the hoist. He declared enthusiastic-
ally:
81 would not have missed it for the
world
1t was the Presidents first visit to the
Montana copper district and between the
smelters at Anaconda and the mines at
Butte, he had series of interesting ex-
periences Not the least of these was
thrilling automobile ride over the
mountains from Butte to the mouth of
the Leonard mnies. The grades were steep
and winding. There was a sign of relief
when Mr.. Taft had once more been
placed safely aboard the Mayiower for
the run for Helena.
Arriving here, he went directly to the
open-air address and witnessed race of
cowboys. Ruturning to the city Mr.. Taft
reviewed a parade of school children.
Leaving here this evening he headed di-
rect for Spokane, where he is expected to-
s.,kslprrow 10 deliver his formal speech on
the conservation OF the natural re-
sources and their reclamation of arid
lands.
Walking With a Limp.
President Taft walked with limp when
he first got off the train this morning
at Anaconda, the result of strained
tendon in his right foot. The sprain oc-
Cured at Beverly but he suffered lit
lie inconvenience from it until today,
when his foot was considerably swollen.
There is nothing serious about the sprin
and MIR. Taft did not let it interfere in
any way with his plans.
The President made flying trip through
the Washoe smelter of the Amalgamated
Copper company at Anaconda The
crowds which greeted him on the streets
there were the largest he had seen since
leaving Chicago.
The police had their hands full in open
ing way for the automobile procession
and after the Presidents car had passed
the crowd swarmed in its wake. Speaking
at the courthouse the President looked
out upon mass of humanity that blocked
the square and spread far down the
conYerging streets. He made a decided
Of ,ba vordarfuI ;mnrassion the corntv
was msl,iny on him and ending nv saw
ing:
IT am the Dutchman who said the
more Won live the more Won find bv gollv
OUT
Down the Shaft.
,.,,. ,,us -.
nen INC ..'' Gu .9s. u9"n
tne snal. VI 'ne nooiia.u niii,e ~ .uuay'
m.n neal's soouDs' 80 ~ s.so
ms - ane mavhs way, ssoup . a. .sn sne sa'.t
ne eailso WIN IN IN ~. nv ane .s,eps uepsns =,
won the presidential record for going tho
farthest under grouid
President Roosevelt entered some Of the
go down to the 120 foot level.
Postmaster General Hitchcock, who
Joined the President today at Anaconda,
and Secretary Ballinger, accompanied the
President ON the picturesque trip down
the dark chute and through the cross
cuts and drifts of the deep level
The elevator used by the President and
his party consisted of small steel-doored
square cages in three decks. The lowest
of these were loaded first. then the sec
ond, and lastly the President got into the
top one, accompanied by John Hayes
Hammond and others. There was sheer
drop of 500 feet before the first level was
reached.
The electric lights at this gallery lead
ing away from the shaft were but blur.
After this the levels came at intervals
of 100 feet. Despite the assurances of
the mine officials that they made from 20
to 30 trips a day down the shaft at
speed which relegated the Presidents drop
TO snails pace in comparison. the
darknecs ha1d ire rar,o 81, 1x;,,.r ,,o..;,,;,i