The Washington herald., 1911-07-16

How did you make the acquaintance
of Theodore Roosevelt"
AT the annual dinners Of the Boone
and Crockett Club, but the acquaintance
was only formal Ten years ago last
January the club held it's dinner in
Washington because Mr. Roosevelt was
then President OF the United States. I
came here from my home in New York
and on the day of the dinner borrowed
the pet horse of Clifford Pinchot for a
ride in Rock Creek Park. At a remote
spot in the park, which l may try to
locate in the future, I heard some one
call my name. Looking across the creek
saw the President, Mr.. Root, the Sec
retary of War. and two other men.
halted at once and saluted.
Attention, Sergeant Stimson, Of
Squadron A, National Guard OF New
York. Mr.. Root said, with mock gravity,
stepping out from among his companions
The President of the United States and
Commander-in-ChIef of the Army,
through the Secretary OF War, orders you
to cross the creek and come to his as
sistance.'
IT again saluted and drove my horse
to enter the water. The month was jan.
uary, as I have said, and the day was
typical of winter. Instead of stopping,
the horse plunged into the swollen creek.
Sometimes he would wade and then,
losing his footing, would roll on his side.
When halfway across, I saw that the
other bank was of masonry. Carried
downstream and struggling in the water.
the horse finally became entangled In
the branches of a fallen. tree. In the
meantime, President Roosevelt was shout
ing: Go back. Go back
Il dismounted in water UP to my arm
pits. to help the horse. Finally. I reached
the side of the creek from which had
started. Mounting, gaIloped to bridge
and crossed over. The President and
Secretary Root came running toward me
in much embarrassment. Saluting,
said: I am here. as ordered There were
salutes all around and then Mr.. Roose-
velt begged me to ride back to town as
fast as could and change my clothing.
Up to that time, had never had more
than a word or two with him at our in
frequent meetings. Our intimate per-
sonsl acquaintance began that day.
The Ride Carried Him 10 office.
Five years later, he called me to
Washington. Amy man who has SO little
sense as to try to swim Rock Creek in
winter time on horseback, he said, Is
just about big enough to be United States
attorney for the Southern district Of New
York Then he informed me that dis
charged empIoye Of the American Sugar
Refining Company had told the editor Of
a newspaper in New York that the tSust
was receiving rebates from several rail-
roads. What Preside1t Roosevelt said
then Is important now. because loose
takers are asserting that he was reluc-
tant to punish the sugar people. I was
appointed United States attorney and
please note my words that the dnforma-
tion brought to the government might be
verified and prosecution vigorously be-
gun. IL the supposed facts we had could
be substantiated.
4 took ofIice IN February. 1906 The
next day began my investigation OF the
sugar trust. II takes considerable time
to set a complicated case ready fox
trial Lawyers realize the dihleuities
better than do. editors worked from
February until october. The first suit|
was brought against the New York Cen
sral Railroad. Il was charged with giE-