Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-09-28
SERIES or INTERESTING EXPERIENCES
After Viewing Exhibits and Making
Open-air Speech at Montana State
Fair, Distinguished Tourist Takes
in Race of Cowboys-PoIice Have
Hands Full With Crowd.
(By Associated Press1.


HELENA. MONr., Sept. 27.-At-
tired in a linen buster, an old black
slouch hat ard swinging an electric
lantern at his side. President Taft was
locked in a narrow iron cages and drop
ped 1900 feet through darkness into
the depths of the famous Old Leon
ard Copper Mine at Butte today. lie
had the rare experience of seeing
miners at work with giant drill IN
vein of high grade ore that sparkled
green with its wealth of mineral.
After half an hour under ground
the President was brought to the sur
face. blinking in the glare of the noon
DAY sun. He was cheered TO the echo
by the crowd of curious people gath
cred at the hoist. He declared en-
Enthusiastically: Il would not have
missed il for the world"
Series of Experiences.
II was the Presidents first visit
to the Montana copper region and be-
tween the smelters at Anaconda and
the mines at Butte he had series
of interesting experiences. Not the
least of these was a thrilling automo-
bile ride over the mountains from
Butte to the south of the mouth OF
the Pclonard mine. The grades were
steep and winding, but the chauffeurs
were experienced men; and. wnlie
there was apparently no threat OF
danger at any stage of the trip there
was a sigh of relief when Mr.. Taft
had been once more placed safely
aboard the Mayfower for the run TO
Helena.
At State Fair.
Arriving at Helena he went direct
ly to the State fair grounds, where,
after vicwing portion Of the exhibits
he made an open air address and wit
messed a race of cowboys. Returning
to the city, Mr.. Taft reviewed a pa
rade of school children. Leaving
Helena this evening he headed direct
for Spokane where ne is expected to-
morrow to deliver his formal speech
on the conservation of natural re-
sources and the reclamation of arid
lands.
The President made flying trip
through the Washoe smelter OF the
Amalgamated Copper Company at
Anaconda, then proceeded into the
city and after a brief address took
the. train for Butte. The crowds,
which greeted him on the streets
there were the largest he had seen
since leaving Chicago.
Police Have Hands Full.
The police had their hands Iull IN
OF '7g a way for the automobile pro-
cessicp. Speaking at the court house
the PRESIDENT looked out upon mass
CT humanity that blocked the square
and spread far down the conNerging
streets. He made a decided hit with
the great thrcng when he told OF the
wonderful impression the country
was making upon him. and ended by
saying:
Il am like the old Dutchman who
said. The more ycu live the more
ycu find, by goIly. out
When the President disappeared
Gown the shaft Of the Leonard mine
today with a hearty goodbye shouted
to the waving gathering at the en-
trance. he carried with him into The
Depths OF the earth two Of his c1bi-
nct officers. and wen the presidential
record for the furthcst underground
Prcsidcnf Roosevelt entered scme
Of the Butte mines during his term
hut did not &c; down to the i-2Oo
feet Isvci.
Postmaster General Hitchcock and
Secretary BaiiinEcr accompanied the
President in the picturesque trip doSn
the dark chute.
The descent occupied two and one
half minutes ard during the journey
there was nothing but blackness and
silence. At the i.200 foot level the
two lever cages dropped By the Open
ing o. allow the President 10 step ON.
u was sin inky darkness and gruc-
some 20 those below when n last
there came tn CHEEKY voice Of the
President from the level, calling 70