The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-28
DOWN IN A MINE:
President Taft Breaks All the
Previous Records
For Distance Descended by a
Head of the Nation.
DROPPED 1000 FEET
To See the Workings in the
Leonard Mine at Butte.
Presented With Gelf Club of
Copper, Silver and Gold.

Helena, Mont, Sept. 2S.-Attired
in linen buster and old black
SLOUGH hat and swinging an electric
lantern at his side. President Taft
was locked in a narrow iron cage and
dropped 1900 feet through midnight
blackness into the depths of the ia
nous Old Leonard copper mine at
Butte and had the rare experience of
seeing miners at work with giant
drill in a vein of high grade ore that
sparkled green with its wealth of
mineral. When he had assembled af-
ter half an hour underground the
president, blinking in the glare of the
sun, was cheered to the echo by the
crowd of curious people gathered
at the hoist and declared en-
Enthusiastically:
'I would not have missed it for the
world"
the Montana copper district and be-
tween the smelters at Anaconda and
the mines at Butte he had a series or
interesting experiences. Not the least
of these was a thrilling automobile
ride over the mountains from Butte
to the mouth of the Leonard mine.
The grades were steep and winding
but the chauffeurs assigned to the
presidents party were experienced
men on the road and, while there was
apparently no threat of danger at
any stage of the trip there was sigh
of relief when Mr.. Taft had once
more been placed safely aboard the
Mayfower for the run to Helena.
Leaving here the president headed
direct for Spokane, where he is ex-
pected to deliver his formal speech
on the conservation of the natural re-
sources and the reclamation of arid
lands.
The crows which greeted him on
the streets were the largest the presi-
dent has seen since leaving Chicago.
Makes a Hit With the Crowd.
Speaking at the court house the
president looked out upon mass of
and spread far down the converging
streets He made a decided hit with
the great throng when he told OF the
wonderful impression the western
country was making upon him, ana
ended by saying:
81 am like the old Dutchman. who
said: The more you live the more
you find, by Golly, out
When the president disappeared
down the shaft of the Leonard mine
with a hearty Goodbye, everybody"
shouted to the group at the entrance, J
he carried with him into the depths i
of the earth two of his cabinet Of
fcers and won the presidential record
for the fartheSt underground.
Out-Roosevelted Teddy.
president
of the Butte mines during his term, !
but did not get down to the 1900 feet
level.
Postmaster General Hitchcock, who |
Joined the president at Anaconda, ana
Secretary Ballinger went with the |
president in the picturesque trip down |
the dark chute and through the cross |
cuts and drifts of the deep level.
There was sheer drop of 500 feet |
before the first level was reached Az
1e of int n
100 feet. Despite the assurances or |
the mine officials that they made from
20 to 80 trips day down the smart
at a speed which relegated the presi- |
dents drop to snail pace in comparl-
SON. the descent through the first 500 |
feet of inky darkness held its nerve
shaking possibilities to the novices in
the party. The descent occupied two
and one-half minutes and during the
tourney there was nothing but black
ness and silence.
1t Was Mighty Dark.
At the 1900 foot level the two low
ar cages dropped by the opening TO
allow the president to step out first.
It was still mighty dark and grue-
some to those below when at last
here came the CHEEKY voice OF the
president from the level, calling to
some of the newspaper men who
we're accompanying him on the trip.
How are you fellows down there 2"
He laughingly inquired. There was
still 500 feet of blackness below the
cages. and Wed kind O. like to get
out" came the reply.
well, 1 don't know so much about !
that" called the president. II think
I've got you safe where want you at
ast.''
The opening of the level had been
decorated with bunting and along the
gallery the ordinary incandescent
bulbs lighting the passage had given