Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-09-07
COL. ROOSEVELT
AT WILLMAR
EX-PreSidcnt and Famous Amer
ican is Greeted al Willmar
by Enthusiastic Crowds.

The informal visit of Col. Roose-
velt at Willmar last Sunday after
noon, while on his special train en-
route from Sioux Falls to Fargo
was a very pleasing event. The
Commercial Club thru its president
had telegraphed on Saturday to the
Colonel at Sioux Falls that there
would undoubtedly be large
crowd assembled at Willmar when
his special pulled into the city, and
that it would be great disappoint-
ment if he did not appear and
make speech from the rear plat
form of his car. A reply was re-
ceived thanking cordially for the
invitation, but stating positively
that he could not make any speeches
on Sunday. This did not discour-
age the assembling Of a large
crowd, however, nor the officials Of
the Commercial Club in their
efforts. The arch on Fourth street
was appropriately draped with the
national colors with the name
"Roosevelt' in large letters, and
the railroad officials were inter-
viewed with the view of locating
the crowd at convenient point.
The train was scheduled to arrive
at Willmar at 1885, and at that
time there had assembled an i'm
mense crowd which has been vari-
ously estimated at from three to
six thousand people. The side of
the tracks was lined with autos, as
was the neighboring street. The
train was turned on the Y at the
west end and was then slowly
pushed down into the passenger
yard where the crowd patiently was
awaiting the sight of the world-re-
noWned Teddy.
And they were not disappointed,
for the train was still some distance
from the crowd when the we'll
known figure appeared at the rear
platform and waved greetings to the
cheering multitude. As the car
came to full stop he expressed his
pleasure at the reception accorded
him. While he had felt that it
would not be proper for him to
launch into a set speech he thot he
would make some brief remarks,
and he went into discussion Of
citizenship, its duties and RESPONSE
bilities, along his familiar vein.
Among other things he said that he
had no use for the citizen who
talked much but did little to i'm
prove conditions. Seeing an old
soldier in the crowd he gave very
complimentary reference to the de-
tenders Of the country. but then
turning to mother holding a child
he said: "But l think you will
agree with me when l place above
all, even above the old soldier, the
good mother" In discussing the
necessary qualities of a good citi-
zen, Col. Roosevelt said: THAT a
man is strictly honest is not enough.
He must have courage as we'll or
he will not accomplish much. But
honesty and courage are not
enough. In addition you need the
saving grace of common sense. If
a man is natural born fool you
can't do much with him.
He pleaded for more consideration
for the overworked housewife. 81
have little use for man who will
buy all the latest improved ma
chinery and implements for doing
his work On the farm and will deny
his overworked wife those convent.
ences which she needs to lessen the
drudgery of her work." was one oil
his shots.
At the close of his remarks
which occupied some over ten min.
utes. little Mary Margaret Spicer