The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-03-23
FORMER PRESIDENT is ALL
READY TO EMBARK ON HIS
FAMOUS HUNTING TRIP.
SPENDS EVENING At HOME
tions Of Praise for Their Fellow
Townsman and Present Them at His
Residence-Big Demonstration Is
Planned for His Departure.

! |
oyster Bay, March 22-Closing a
strenuous day that was taken up
chiefly with the final arrangements for
his African expedition, ex-President
Roosevelt spent the hours of the even
| ing of his departure across the Atlantic
in the heart of his family. All is in
readiness for the long journey on which
he is to set out tomorrow; the baggage
| was today put ahoaEd the vessel and
after inspecting the quarters set aside
for him on the steamer, Mr.. Roosevelt
returned tp oyster Bay with his wife
and children.
| With his family Mr.. Roosevelt will
take an early train tomorrow for New
York. While Mr.. Roosevelt is CRATE
| full for the demonstration that has been
planned for his departure by hundreds
| of people who are desirous Of cheering
him, as the Hamburg sails, he again
today expressed the hope that his
leave taking might be regarded as that
of a strictly private citizen.
| A delegation of the local town board
presented to Mr.. Roosevelt this even
ing an engrossed resolution, commend
l
man.
! After the evening meal Mr. Roosevelt
spent the evening quietly with his
family, retiring to rest early in order
to be ready for the start tomorrow
morning. Though most of Mr. Roose-
velt's time has been taken in the
preparation Of his trip, he devotes all
his spare moments to reading Darwin's
book, "The Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle
which he carries constantly in his
pocket.
| A pretty incident showing Mr.. Roose-
velt's love for children and his readi-
ness, even when otherwise engaged, to
amuse them, was shown today on the
return trip on the railroad. The former
chief magistrate had taken his seat in
the ordinary passenger coach and was
busily engaged with his book when
Mrs. Warren Bowman, widow of the
Methodist minister at oyster Bay, with
her 7-year- old daughter Ruth, walked
| through the train in search of a seat.
Pretty Incident.
| "This is Mr.. Roosevelt" said Mrs.
Bowman, stopping in front Of the for
herself. In the meantime little Ruth
had clambered upon the vacant seat
| beside Mr.. Roosevelt and was staring
at him with open eyes. Mr.. Roosevelt
was delighted and patted the little girl
on her cheeks and asked her to spell
his name, which she did, to his great
| amusement
Ruth has a little brother named
Willis" said Mrs. Bowman, land he is
always talking about wanting to go to
Africa with you and shoot lions"
II wish could take him along" said
ne, and then turning to the little girl
he drew from his pocket two shining
| half dollars and said:
| Here is something for you and here
is something for Willis"
Mr.. Roosevelt then vacated his seat,
that Mrs. Bowman might sit with her
child.
Receives a Call.
One of the last distinguished per-
! sonages who called on Mr.. Roosevelt
at oyster Bay was M. F. Cronin of
| North Crook, the Adirondack guide
and driver, who brought Mr.. Roosevelt
on the neck breaking ride from Adelaer
| to North Crook, N. Y, the night fol-
lowing the death Of President Nc
Kinley. Its just bully of you to
come" said Mr.. Roosevelt, shaking
Cronin by the hand.
Mr.. Roosevelt and his wife were
walking under the trees near the house
when the local delegation arrived to
make the presentation of the resolu-
tions adopted by his townsmen. Mr..
Roosevelt replied to the delegation:
II am deeply touched by these reso-
lutions which have been presented to
me by my fellow townsmen. My grand
father and my father made Oyster Bay
their summer home and came here
when was IA years old. I was not
such a good boy as might have been,
as you will remember.
Judge Franklin addressing one Of
the party, nothing would please me
| more than to give you an account Of
my stewardship at washington, but I
have not the time. When I come back
from Africa nothing will give me more
pleasure than to tell my fellow towns
men about my trip. That is the first
thing / shall do"