The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-09
PRESIDENT ROOsEVELTS AFRICAN
CAMPING OUT FIT is COr1PLETE

When Theodore Roosevelt finds
himself in Darkest Africa he will
have with him al the comforts of
New York, even to the bright lights
for he has ordered an aluminium light
outfit to take along.
: Think of it--an acetylyne lamp in
the heart Of Africa.
MIR. Roosevelt knows a thing or
two about outdoor life and he does
not purpose 20 undergo any hardship
that forethought and one hundred
negro porters can anticipate.
Last July he began making inqulr-
les and purchases in New York, and
now his outfit is practically COM
plete. It would be revelation to
the pioneers OF other days long since
bygone. The kit has been thor
oughly tested-those responsible for
it even went so far as to pack the
entire thing I'm three Chalmers-De-
troit automobiles and take it down
into the widest part Of New Jersey
last week. set It up, both day and
night, take It down again and bring
it home.
Most of the outfit selected by Mr..
Roosevelt consist of camping things
deviTed by Ezra II. Fitch, No. 81
Reade street, New York. Nothing
has been left out, but as the ex-
President will travel light through
the jungles and swamps of the Dark
Continent, it doesn't weigh much.
That was Mr.. Roosevelts first de-
mand-the minimum OF weight with
the maximum of convenience. OF
course, he will have everything that
can be carried, even to a Plympton
hypodermic outfit, charged with
serum against the bites of snakes
and poisonouI insects, but every
thing has been made with a view to
portability and lightncss.
Everything that he takes with him
must be carried through hundreds OF
miles Of African forest and swamp.
The entire outfit must be capable Of
folding into the smallest compass in
order that the negro pack-bearers
may carry them on their backs.
Lightness comes first, ccmpactness
second and convenience third. Mr..
Roosevelt has looked to all three in
his p!ans, for his months Of hunting
in Africa.
Tentage, of course is the first con
sideration. Tents are a necessity in
Africa hut when they are to be car
ried 500 miles they mustn't weigh
an ounce more than is possible.
There will be times when Mr.. Roose-
welt and his party win not be able
to find tree TO cut down for tent
pole. SO he is taking along for each
of his tents nickel plated tubular
steel tent poles that fold up smaller
than walking tick and weigh prac-
tically nothing. The nickel plate
has a finish that won't rust
He is taking three Tanalite wall
tents provided with inject proof lin
lngs and windows and waterproof
ground cloth, sewcd to the bottom
Of the tents. Neither rain nor wind
-the perils of the camper!-can
burrow in under the tents. Each of
these tents is packed into a water
proof canvas bag thirty inches long
and twelve inches in diameter. One
man can carry an entire tent, by
9, carable Of housing three men COM
fortably and five at a pinch.
With these tents go sleeping bags
with canvaI outsides and water
proofed Innings. They are fitted with
as many blankets as the occupants
deem necessary and are absolutely
warm and dry. The occupant could
sleep comfortably in one of these in
zero temperature out in the open
II necessary. These are ahso
packed in canvas cylindrical bags