The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-06

Washington and the rest Of the country
had a sensation for awhile yesterday over
a report that Col. Theodore Roosevelt
was dead. The rumor came here from
New York and created a lot Of excite
ment in official circles.
The Smithsonian Institute, In whose
service Col. Roosevelt is pursuing the vo-
cation Of a faunal naturalist in Africa,
was much interested but doubtful, when
1t heard the report. The White House
telephones rang constantly for an hour
or so when friends and associates Of the
ex-President were trying to find out what
was in the story.
Cables Kept Busy.
The State Department felt confident the
report was erroneous, because It surely
would have had advice. were it true. from
British Official sources. The cable COM
panies promised the state Department
10 get at the bottom OF the yarn and
pretty soon were able 10 report they had
been in touch with Nairobi, British East
Africa. where the story was denied alb
solutely
Where tho report came from originally
officials heard as % It's source was that
some Wall street house with extensive
African connections" has received the ru-
NOR.
The story Travelled over the country
Ike wildfire washington correspondents
OF out-of-town newspapers got kilograms
OF inquiry from their home Offices at
about the same time 1t was evident
the rumor had gone 10 newspapers East
West North. and South. The excitement
lasted n couple OF hours.
Col. Roosevelt and his companions and
native employees left LOndiani on Octo-
Der &c. and word came 10 Nairobi on the
/ following day that he had arrived al
the Albania ravine. Since then no news
/ OF the Roosevelt expedition had come out
OK the wilds. When the party left Lon
I dlani Il was with the intention OF re-
naming in the wilderness for about Ave
weeks There are no telegraph lines in
/ the country which Col. Roosevelt is
/ traversing.
I II Is figured that Col. Roosevelt is now
/ on the Guas Ingishu Plateau, where game
/ is plentiful and easy 10 get on account
/ Of the open country.
TeIegrams swamp Building.
kilograms swamped the departments.
/ One after another they were torn open
there to disclose the same inquiry. Every
I clerk was able 70 read the question back
ward before he saw IL by nightfan
/ Not until the State Department closed
/ for the day did the kilograms stop. and
I even then some OF the chiefs Of bureaus
/ found a dozen or so waiting for them
I with dinner. and a mere six or eight rest
/ ing In the pigeon holes Of the telegraph
| Offices.
Mrs. Roosevelt Ignorant OF RumOr.
Rome. Nov. 5.-The report Of Col.
Roosevelts death reached here by means
Il press kilograms from London and
/ Paris No news was received at the
American Embassy or the Hotel Beauslte
where Mrs. Roosevelt. Ethel her daugh-
ter, and Mrs. Carow, her sister, are stay
| ing Lieut.. Commander Long, the Ameri-
can naval attache, who IS an intimate
friend OF Col. Roosevelt. visited the no.
tel. lie said he had received no kilograms
/ concerning the reported death Of Col
/ Roosevelt
/ Il is asCertained that Mrs. Roosevelt
is ignorant Of the rumor. II Is impossible
to see her, owing 70 the precautions taken
/ 70 prevent what is believed 10 be a base
/ an unnecessary shock.
1 John ". Garrett. the American charge
/ d'anaires. says he learned Of the rumoI
from the newspapers. He had received
no kilograms on the subject He visited
Mrs. Roosevelt late this evening, and sub
/ sequently he assured a correspondent that
/ she had received no disturbing message
during the day. The last news she had
received from her husband was good Mr.
| Garrett disbelieves the report.
Mrs. Roosevelt. her daughter. and heI
sister dined in their own rooms. and re-
tired az 10 o'clock. Lieut.. Commander
Long gave instructions 70 the hotel man
I agement that II any kilograms were re-
ceived during the night, 10 hold them IN
I'll morning, when they VIII be delivered
| 10 Mrs. Carow. who. IN case the report
is confirmed. will break the news to Mrs
! Roosevelt