Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-09-28
TAFT HAS BUSY
DAY IN MONTANA
He Sees Giant Drill at Work on High
Grade Ore Twelve Hundred Feet
Under Ground.
NEW RECORD FOR PRESIDENT
No Other Chief Executive Has Been
So Far Below Surface.
SEES SHELTER AT Al = DA
Visit to Copper District Full - W
Experiences.
MAKES ADDRESS AT STATE -
Crowd in streets at Butte La, q
He Has Seen since Leavin
Chicago--AutO Ride over -
Mountains.
No Other Chief Executive Has Been
So Far Below Surface.
MAKES ADDRESS AT STATE

HELENA, Mont Sept 27.-Attired in
linen duster. an old black slouch hat and
swinging an electric lantern at his side,
President Taft was locked in a narrow iron
cage and dropped 1900 feet through mid
night blackness into the depths Of the
famous old Leonard copper mine at Butte
today lie had the rare experience OF
, seeing miners at work with giant drill
in a vein of nigh grade ore that sparkled
green with its wealth of mineral.
When he had ascended with whiz, after
half an hour underground the president,
klnkng in the glare of the MONDAY sun,
Was cheered to the echo by the crowd of
curious people gathered at the hoist.
He declared enthusiastically
Il would not have missed it fo- the
world"
II was the presidents first visit TO the
Montana copper district and between the
smelters at Ancondana and the mines at
Butte, he had a series Of interesting eX-
periences. Not the least of these was
thrilling automobile ride over the noun
tains from Butte 10 the mouth of the
Leonard mine. The grades were steep and
winding but the chauffeurs were expert
enced men and while there was apparently
no sign of danger at any stage of the
trip there was a high of relief when Mr.
Taft had once more been placed safely
aboard the Mayflower for the run to
Helena.
speech at state Fair.
Arriving here, he went directly to the
state fair grounds, where, after viewing
portion Of the exhibits he made an
open-air address and witnessed race of
cowboys. Returning to the city Mr.. Taft
reviewed a parade Of school children.
Leaving here this evening he headed
direct for Spokane, where he is expected
tomorrow to deliver his formal speech on
the subject which holds supreme interest
TO all the west--the conservation OF the
natural resources and the reclamation OF
arid lands.
President Taft walked with a limp when
he first got off the train this morning
at Anaoonda. the result of a sprained ten
don In his right foot, The sprsin occurred
at Beverly, but he suffered little inconveni-
enoe from 1t until today when his foot was
considerably swollen. There is nothing Beri-
Gus about the sp-aiR and Mr.. Taft did not
let It interfere in any way with his plans
Great Crowd at Bate.
The president made flying trip through
the washoe smelter Of the Amalgamated
Copper company at Anaconda, then pro-
ceeded into the city and after brief ad-
dress took the train for, Butte 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 a way for the automobile procession
and after the presidents car had passed
the crowd swarmed in its wake. Speak
ing at the court house the president looked
out upon q mass Of humanity that blocked
the square nd spread far down the con
verEing streets. He made a decided hi
with the great thrOng when he told Of thu
wonderful impression the western country
was making upon him, and ended by say
ing:
II am like the old Dutohman who said
THE more you live the moro you find, b!
Eolly, out"
The president disappeared down the shaf
\ OF the Leonard mine today with a hearty
Good bye everybody" shouted to tn
waving group at the entrance, he carried
with him into the depths OF the earth tw,
of his cabinet officers and won the presl
dental record for the furthermost unde
ground.
President Roosevelt entered some OF tn
Butte mines during his term. but did no
get down TO the LOO foot level.
Postmaster General Hitchcock, VIII
Joined the president today at Anaconda
president in the picturesque trip dow
the dark chute and through the cross
cuts and drifts OF the deep level.
The elevator used by the president an,
his party consisted OF small steel doore
square cages In three decks. The loves
OF these was loaded first, then the secon
and lastly the president got into the top
most one, accompanied by John Hays Ham
mond and others. There was a sheer dro
Of Wv feet before the first level wa
reached.
Fast TriP 90 Lower Regions,
The electric lights at this gallery leadin
away from the shaft were but a blui
After this the levels came at intervals @
100 feet Despite the assurances OF tn
mine officials that they made from twent
10 thirty trips a day down the shaft at
speed which relegated the presidents dro
70 a snairs pace in comparison. the desceu
through the first 900 feet OF inky darknes
held its nerve-shaking possibilities 10 tn
novices in the party. The descent occupie
two and one-haf minutes and during IN
journey there was nothing but blacknes
and silence.
At the l,9O0-foot level the two lower cage
dropped by the opening to allow the pres
dent 10 step out first 1t was still might
dark and gruesoms 70 those below whe
al last there came the CHEEKY voice OF IN
president from the level. calling to some q
the newspaper men who were accompany
ing him on the trip.
How are you fellows down there?" h
inquired.
There was stin 600 feet OF blackness b,
low the cage and wed kind o. like TO <,
~ out" came the reply.
''Well, don't know 50 much about that
II called the president Il think / got 20
n safe where / want you at last"
\ The opening OF the level had been dec,
rated with bunting and along the galleT
the ordinary incandesoent bulbs lighting Il