Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-29
President TAFT Has Very
Busy Day /, Montana.
Dssssads Into Copper Mine
And Visits the Sme|ters.
Rides Over Mountain In. Auto and
Makes Speech At State Fair.

Helena, Mont, Sept. 28.-Attired IN
linen buster and an old black SLOUGH
hat and swinging an electric lantern at
his side, President Taft was locked in
narrow iron cage and dropped 1900
feet through darkness into the depths
Of the famous old Leonard copper mine
at Butte today. He had the rare ex-
perience of seeing miners at work with
giant drill in vein of high grade
ore which sparkled green with it's
wealth of mineral
After half an hour under ground the
President was brought to the surface
blinking in the glare of the MONDAY
sun. He was cheered to the echo by
the crowd of curious people gathered
at the hoist. He declared enthusiastic
cally: N
Il would not have missed it for the
world ~
1t was the Presidents first visit to
the Montant copper region and be-
tween the shelters at Anaconda and
the mines at Butte he had a series of
interesting experiences. Not the least
of these was a thrilling automobile
ride over the mountains from Butte to
the mouth of the Leonard mile The
grades we're steep and winding, Bit the
chauffeurs were experienced men and
While there was apparently no threat
Of danger at any stage of the trip,
there was a sigh of relief when Mr.
Taft had once more been placed safely
aboard the Mayflower for the run to
Helena.
. On arriving at Helena he went d.
rectiy to the State Fair grounds.
where after viewing portion of the
exhibits he made an open-air address
and witnessed a race of COWBOYS Re-
turning to the city Mr.. Taft reviewed
a parade of school children.
Speaking at the court house, the
President looked out upon a mass OF
humanity which blocked the square
and spread far down the converging
streets. He made a decided hit with
the great throng when he told them of
the wonderful impression the country
was making upon him and ending by
saying:
II am like the old Dutchman who
said: THE more you live the more you
find, by goly .out...'' Isis
When the President disappeared
down the shaft of theNLeonard mine
today with a hearty goodbye shouted
to the waving group at the entrance,
he carried with him into the depths Of
the earth twos of his cabinet officers,
and won ting, presidential record for
the furthest under ground. President
Roosevelt entered some OF the Butte
mines during his term but did not get
down to the 12oO-foot level. Postmaster
General Hitchcock. who joined the
President today at Anaconda. and Sec.
Ballinger accompanied the President
IN the picturesque trip down the dark
chute and through the cross cuts and
drifts of the deep level. The whole
method of copper mining was explained
to the President.
At Butte the President received a
full-sized golf club driver made of
copper, silver and gold, the three met
ais which have made the Butte camp
famous. On the. head of the driver the
following inscription was engraved:
William Howard Taft, champion
l909-191s and then some. Butte, Mont,
Sept. %. 1909"
When the Presidents special train
pulled into Helena reception commit
tee composed of 400 citizens from all
parts of Montana greeted Mr.. Taft.
He was driven in an automobile direct
~ to the fair ground, where the State
fair was in progress. Fully 10000 people
gathered in and about the grounds to
see and hear the President, who was
IL II