Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-05-03
ByEx-Presideni Roosevelt
And Son Kermit,
Former Bags Three and Each
with a Single Shot.


Nairobi, British East Africa, May
-Four lions are trophies Of exPresl-
cent Roosevelt's camp in the Mau hills
tonight, and the 200 or more native fol
lowers are rejoicing with the American
party in the celebration of the unusual
good luck.
The lions were Jagged Friday. and
Col. Rooseveit's mighty gun brought
three of them to earth, each on tho
first shot. THUS one Of the President
fondest ambitions has been realized,
and he is proud, too. that the fourth
Of the jungle kings fell before the rifle
of his son Kermit. who, however, took
three shots to kill his quarry.
Both father and son are jubilant. 1t
was their first lion hunt and so mag
nificent a kill was far bevond their eX-
pectations, but lions have been plenti-
full in the hills for the past month and
the English hunter, F. c. Selous. has
been out for several days laying plans
for their extinction.
Mr.. Selous accompanied the former
President, who was also attended by
the usual retinue of heaters. AS a rule
the heaters go into the jungle with con-
siderable trepidation, but as Col
Roosevelt's reputation as a hunter had
reached here long before he arrived in
person, ,he heaters on this occasion
were exceptionally enthusiastic. They
seemed even eager to play a part in the
first hunt of the distinguished Ameri-
can.
The caravan started early Thursday
morning from the ranch of Sir Alfred
Tease on the Athi river. and proceeded
slowly to the Maui hills. This range is
open for wide areas, but in places is
covered with dense growths where
game is plentiful. The first night in
camp was without especial incident,
no attempt being made to go after
lions, although their calls were heard
pow and then during the course Of the
night, but at dawn the camp was astir
and the drive speedily organized.
The native heaters set out in all
directions under the instructions of
the "headman," armed with all sorts
of noise making devices. which could
not but arouse any game within ear
shot. Some of the beats proved
blanks, but by nightfal no less than
10 kinds of game had been bagged.
Kermit during the greater part Of
the day did more effective work with
his camera than he did with his gun,
he ard the other members of the party
allowing Mr.. Roosevelt the much priced
shots.
Details of the actual shooting were
not brought down to Nairobi Saturday
from the camp. but it was declared
that in each case a single bullet from
the ex-Presidents gun sufliced to
bring down his lion. From this it is
regarded that Col Roosevelt is living
up 10 the reputation which he has gain
ed here of being a crack shot. All of
the lions were of normal size, and at
ter the natives had dragged them to-
gcther in the grass they executed the
usual dance around the trophies.
The party planned to go south Sun
lay with the hope of bagging one or
more giraffes. The chances are MIR.
Roosevelt's good luck will continue. for
natives and settlers from all sections
report game very plentiful.
Mombassa. Saturday. April 3.-The mon
| soon broke with a terrific thunder storm
Sunday night last. which lasted from 10
r. M. to A. NJ. the following morning
and was the heaviest downpour ever
known here. The rain fell in sheets. over
| four inches coming down in three hours.
| The rain has luckily put a. stop to the
| far-reaching grass fires which have been
| raging in the Rift valley for the past
| month. The fires have not only destroy ed
much game but they have driven large
numbers of animals many miles from the
| railway line where at normal times they
! like to congregate.
The burnt down grass will be an advan-
| tage to Mr.. Roosevelt's party. as bet
ter view of the plains can now be OBJ
tanned But this is a condition that works
both way for sportsmen. for it makes
much more difficult the stalking Of rhi-
noceroses, for when the grass is long
they are often caught sleeping before they
realize their danger. With the grass
| burned down. however. the chances of
getting in successful charge are more
| in nheir favor
| New York. April 1.-The Hamburg
American Line steamer Hamburg ar
rived today from Genoa and Naples
! On the outward voyage Former Presi-
| dent Roosevelt and party were pas
sengers. Capt Burmeister said there
was no truth in the stories about Col
| Roosevelt published here. Mr.. ROose
Welt wrote late and never arose until
| 10 o'clock in the morning. He was not
attacked by crazy passenger and
went to the storage only once where
| he was received with cheers. He never
rode the camels in the gymnasium ant
in fact did nothing but behave himself
like private gentleman on hi:
| travels.
San Francisco. May 1.-The first pub
lie speech to he made by ex-Presiden
Roosevelt after his return from his AT
rican trip will be before the student!
of the University of California. Col
Roosevelt's appearance at Berkeley is
expected during the month of April
1910.
| A railroad change much appreciated
by travellers went into effect Sunday