Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-01-08
A PECULIAR MAN.

Eccentric and uDaccountable actions on
the part Of President Roosevelt are still
furnishing periodical surprises to those who
peruse the news columns Of the daily press.
For some reason or other there is com
paratively little editorial comment upon
his peculiar conduct perhaps it is because
mere recital Of his queer doings is deem
ed sufficient commentary upon their inn
propriety. or maybe II is because they have
become so common as TO be considered as
nothing more than may naturally be ex-
pected from a person Of such surprising
characteristics.
Not long ago he administered rough
and severe rebuke to several young ladies
road while riding horseback near Forest
Glen. in this county. and when the fact
was made known TO the public that the
young ladies felt themselves grossly insult
ed by the manner in which he treated
them. his lordship did not deem it worth
his while 10 offer excuse or explanation or
even to take further notice Of the incl
dent.
Only last week his high mghtiness again
demeaned himself in very surprising and
reprehensible manner, if all accounts be
correct This time he turned his horse in
a road leading through Rock Creek Park
near Washington. and ordered a young
girl not to continue to ride behind him and
his party. The child was on the way to
her home, and she very properly refused to
obey the President. but kept on until she
reached the branching lane that led di-
rectly to her fathers place. The little girl
was Miss Martha Hazard. daughter of Mr..
Carlton b. Hazard. prominent business
man. who lives in the District Of Column
bia. short distance out OF Washington.
Miss Hazard has been in the habit Of TAX
ing daily horseback rides through Rock
Creek Park and has never before been
molested. With deep bushes and childish
embarrassment, which showed how deeply
she felt the humiliation she claims to have
suffered she told the following story to a
New York World reporter:
81 was riding through Rock Creek Park
one afternoon two weeks ago, she said,
when rode up to party of three horse
men. One Of them was the President
recognized him instantly, as | have seen
him many times in the park. The man
who was riding with him. think. was a
detective. Behind them few feet was
their orderly
81 rode up slowly behind them. not
knowing what to do. didn't know how
was to pass the President, whether should
get off and lead my horse or ride right by
him.
while was wondering what to do the
orderly dropped back to me and spoke to
me about my horse. Just as he rode away
from me the President turned and rode
back to me. The other man stopped and
the orderly stopped
THE President motioned to me. and
started TO him. When got close enough
he said to me. Don't you think you have
been following me long enough Now you
take that road right there. and Ill take
NhiS pllts iOu hdNt pNCu iOuOWlilS Hit
long enough
81 haven't been following you. Mr. Pres
ident,' said, and I cannot take that road
I do not know that path. but am going
home, and my road is just two telegraph
poles farther.
THE President said All right. see that
you take il, and we both rode on.
After turned off the road was furi-
Gus. didn't know what to do or say.
wanted to cry, and did cry. felt so bad
because the President had called me down.
When got home and papa asked me ,phy
had been crying | told him. remember
ed what ] had heard about his treatment
of the seminary girls whom he met riding
in the park. and did not think that had
done wrong. did not follow him. and |
rode through the park as ! do nearly every
day in the year. have been riding for two
years now, and that was the first time the
President said anything to me-.
THE little girls humiliation is only
equaled by the anger of her father.
81 don't care whether it is the President
or any other man. he said today. 1 want
to feel that my little children are safe from
any kind of treatment which will make
them cry. have tried to rear my little