Arizona republican., 1911-03-21
ROOSEVELT MESA GUEST Former President Talks to
 School Children AN INFORMAL ADDRESS After Hastily Viewing the Garden City, the Colonel To ok His Departure Amid Heartfelt Adieus For the North Side.

When Colonel Roosevelt reached tho
 north steps of the Mesa Union high | school at 9:27 yesterday morning Inc l found awaiting him no less than be-
 tween seven or eight hundred school | children from the high school. the
 grammar school. the Alma and some
 from the Lehi schools. together with
 possibly thousand citizens from all
 over the Mesa. Lehi, Alma and Tenn
 pc section gathered for the purpose | of getting glimpse of the world | foremost citizen and hearing him talk
 although it was known in advance | that his address was to be very | brief.
 Wearing kahki trousers. black
 sack coat and soft felt hat the col | onel left the car, driven up to the
 east steps of the school building hur- ried up the steps. through the build l ing and descended to the platform
 erected on the north steps He was accompanied on the platform by Pro lessor Robertson. Dr Wilbur. repre- sentinE the Water Users association
 who was in charge of the colonel l during his stay on the south side.
 and Prof. Fl. D. Evans of Fl Rancho Bonita schools. Advancing to the | front of the platform the colonel at
 glance saw the school children lined
 up on the lawn to the north and west
 of the speakers stand He immedi-
 ately called Professor RObertson's at
 tention to the fact that some of the
 children could not hear and sec He
 sat while the superintendent called to
 the teachers to have the children
 come directly under the front of the
 platform. A little time was consumed
 in arranging the children meanwhile
 taking a lively interest in the pro- ceedings. smiling upon the young
 sters and beckoning them to come in
 close with a quick motion of his
 right hand. After the children had
 been arranged Professor Robertson in as few words as possible introduced
 the eX-oresident amid the cheers of the assembled throng
 Without formality the colonel ad- vanced to the front of the platform placed the four fingers of his left hand in the pocket of his trousers and smiled. In stantly there could be seen the important feature of ev- cry cartoon which has been given cir culation-his teeth
 On account of the condition of his throat which had become raw and speaking. both indoors and out for the past several weeks. he spoke with difficulty this morning At times it seemed almost painful for him to articulate as plainly as he would have liked. However. while his voice was not in as good form as usual. his de- livery was decisive, the right arm coming down with steam behind it at the conclusion of every fact which he wished to drive home. His manner was at times indicative of a nervous temperament, especially when he said a word, which in his opinion hardly fitted properly and required another word to take it's place. He made no at a set speech simply en- loving the fact that he was sur rounded by a broad expanse of smil- ing children. He complimented the tow heads" and turning to the pa rents reminded them that it was of no avail for him to go into detail in the explaining of his love for chil- dren. adding smilingly that his views | on that subject were already we'll | known. The remarks aptly put. | brought forth hearty applause from l the citizens congregated to the right | of the speaker.
 While speaking. the ex-president | stood directly in front of the center | nf isrl, which had been beautifully drapcd | with American flags. The platform | also was covered with flags and an i abundance of greenery while the platform floor was laid with Navajo | rugs which extended back onto the cement stens and the floor of the main hall of the building.
 The address was listened to with attention and well it might be. for there was not dry sentence throughout. The colonel appeared to De in his best form. inserting humor 1t unexpected occasions throughout lis remarks and touching upon sub iects which could not fail to be ap- Dreciated by the Mesa community.
 The crowd began gathering at eight o'clock for the purpose of gaining points of vantage However. there were no points of vantage. for the were such that every ,ne present could see the speaker plainly and every word could be leard distinctly. Throughout the morning the owners of kodaks were 'usy getting points of vantage where hey could get an impression of the peaker as well as the aSSpmblape
 Concluding his address the colonel lacked away from the crowd bidding goodbye and waving his hat
 He made his way through the 'uilding to the east door the crowd n the meantime surging around to hat place in order to get another ook. The car driven by George Will lIr. was immediately occupied. the -uest of honor taking his seat beside he chauffeur and Dr. Wilbur and IT Ia