The San Francisco call., 1909-10-25
DEEP MYSTERY
ON PRESIDENTS
SPECIAL TRAIN
Chief Executives POssum Is
Stolen, Despite WatchfuIness
of His Many Guards
ePeech Making Impossible With
Mr. Taft's Voice Overcome
by Strain

LITTLE ROCK. Oct PA full
Hedged mystery developed today on
President Tsft's train. Railroad de-
sectives, special police and secret serv-
I've 10 the contrary Notwithstanding
Somebody stole the presidents possum
II happened at Dallas, where it seemed
As though there were at least million
policemen, special officers, plain clothes
. men, deputies and militia men on guard
and the authorities there this morn
ing were inclined to charge it up as
another black hand" outrage.
Through some psychological phe-
nomenon, the president. desires and the
loss at Dallas travelled ahead of his
train. md when it arrived at Long View
al noon another possum, all dressed
for cooking, was put aboard. Conse-
quently Tafts possum dinner was not
postponed
NINE DAYS IN TEXAS
President Taft left Texas this aft
ernoon after passing nine days in that
state, and is speeding tonight toward
s. Louis, where he viii arrive at 7:3G
q. m. tomorrow With an informal
breakfast, q speech in the St Louis
Auditorium. luncheon and the dedfca-
ton of the government building in East
81 Louis before him the president viii
have every moment of his time occn-
pied up 10 o'clock tomorrow after
noon Then on the steamer OIeander
he viii lead procession of boats con-
taining governors. senators and repre-
sentatives down the Mississippi river
10 New orleans to attend the conven-
tion Of the Lakes TO the Gulf deeI
waterway association.
When Taft reaches St Louis tomor-
row morning he viii have covered 9,7Oe
OF the 1900 miles in his itinerary
The river journey viii consume I,Ie5
more, and when the president leaves
New Orleans. November j, he will be
within easy striking distance of home
being scheduled to arrive in Washing
toR The night Of November 10. In
reality. however the presidents travels
for 1903 VIII not end until November 2l
for he has engagements at AIiddletown
conn. November j.; at New Haven
November Is; al Norfolk. Va, Novem-
Der ls, and at Hampton. Va. Novem-
Der %.
VOICE ENTIRELY GONE
Tafts voice this morning had shown
no Improvement over yesterday. and
after he had made few short ad-
y sses in Texas and Arkansas it was
almost completely gone.
The president left Dallas at s o'clock
this morning and stopped at Foruey,
Terrill. Wills Point. Long View and
Marshall before crossing the Texas
lire a. Texarkana. where the train wa.
halted partly in Texas and partly il
Arkansas. There was an immense
crowd at Texarkana. but the presidents
voice had so far gone from his earlier
attempts 10 speak that he could only
say a word or two in appreciation OF
his welcome. The train arrived in Lit
lie Rock shortly after 8 O'Clock and
left for ST. Louis 10 minutes later.
The presidents voice had somewhat
Improved and he spoke briefly here. He
also spoke a few words TO throngs al
Arkad iphia and Benton. Ark
At Terrin. Tex, this morning the
president spoke TO q throng OF Sundas
school children, and delivered a near
approach to his usual SUNDAY sermon.
Ready for President
ST. LOUIS. Oct 24-Governors. sen.
ators congressman and foreign diplo-
mats arrived here TODAY and tonight
20 make the trip on the Mississippi
river 10 New Orleans TO attend the
axes TO the Gulf deep waterway as
-
The Oleander, the government light
house tender. on wifich President Taft
will travel was made a floating White
House today. Everything the presi-
dent viii need after he embarks at :
o'clock tomorrow afternoon for four
and half days trip was placed on
board.
on the congressional boat a legisla-
tive hall was installed. so that Speaker
Cannon can hold mock sessions of con-
.rresS. Speaker Cannon arrived at East
ST Louis tonight. and viii remain there
until he crosses the river with Presi-
dent Taft tomorrow. He and Vice Pres
fdent sherman. who arrives tomorrow,
viii be guests Of honor al the dedica-
tfon exercises OF the new federal build
ing in East St. Louis
daily paper viii be printed on one
OF the newspaper boats A fast launch
will be used by the reporters in gath
ering the news from the different boats
in the fleet The paper will give the
news as il develops.
There viii be p boats in the fleet
when it leaves Memphis. The trip viii
be Straight down the Mississippi, with
the exception when the feet turns up
the Ohio TO stop at Cairo.
The first governor TO arrive was Gov
ernor n +. Hay OF Washington. He
travelled the longest distance of any of
The visiting delegates. Senator Smoot
Of Utah also arrived today, as did Senior
Toledo Pesrrarte. minister from Guate-
mala to Washington.
.nfAN IIFNfG T-n