Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1911-10-27
THE
PRES|DE EN- 7
\ Short Summary of Hi.
Trip Thru the Hills.
LITTLE INCIDENTS
OF the Trip Written For The
Star By Our Special Cor
respondent.
my Otis Hymer)


(By Otis Hymer)
When 1t comes to "putting it over"
IN the terms Of the expressive slang
phrase. there Is no section that ia as
uniformly successful as the Black
Hills. And q new triumph and a
great one was scored last Saturday
when the Black Hills entertained
President Taft.
1t augured we'll that the Presidents
Introduction into the state should be
made by the Black Hills. 1t complete
" dissipated the rumor that he would
find himself in the enemy's country in
South Dakota and the reception extend.
ed him at Edgemont was equally
hearty through the day and set high
mark for the larger cities east of the
river to reach. That he appreciated
the welcome was shown by his remark
to Judge Gull Saturday night before
the party left Rapid City. "They told
us we would meet frost when We
struck Soach Dakota, but we haven't
found Ii yet"
South Dakota likes Taft and Taft
likes South Dakota. The people of
the Black Hills lite him for his whole
some and dbrosd-shouldered way. His
critics In this state have been convert.
ed to him and those who we're friendly
are now endeared to him. His smile is
contagious and he is SO open In his
sriensship. democratic and pleasing
In his manner and genuine in his ex-
pressions Of regard that one who comes
really In touch with him cannot but
like him and become an ally.
Where other states and com.
muDities presented the President with
carrots, corn and conversation, the
Black Hills gave him gold. In Dead.
wood he was presented with paper
weight of solid gold weighing pound.
Mr.. Martin presented it on behalf Of
the people of the Black Hills, remark
ing that we do not often get to gold
brick" the president. The Presi.
dent replied by saying that he will
keep this trophy, emblematio Of the
principal industry of the Black Hills,
and will hand it down to his children
and that he was glad to see the west
has q different way of gold bricking
people than the way it is done in the
efete east. It was such gift as will
make permanent impression on the
President and cause the Black Hills
to be remembered in q special way in
connection with his trip.
Ihad the good fortune to be mem.
Der Of the party which accompanied
the President through the Black Hills.
From his many expressions in private
and public, l am sure he enjoyed his
trip through the Black Hills. 1t was
an ideal October morning when he
stepped from his private car "ldesl''
to greet the thousands who arose early
to see him at Edgemont. He remarked
on tho stimulating atmosphere. And
It must have been delightful contrast
to the stormy weather met In Montana
or the temperature Of 100 degrees OK.
perienced at Los Angeles just four
days before. Not only were the towns
where he stopped decorated in gala
attire but groups of men, women and
children, waving flags and cheering,
waited for his train to pass at the
sidings along through the Hills. Dec.
orations were In the most unexpected
places, showing unanimous feeling
Of gladness not confined to formal
effort. Flags waved from the cabins
OF prospectors along the right of way,
. mining dredge at Mystic was decked
out. and far down In the heart of the
Homsstake mine where the president
and our party we're taken the national
colors few from the compressed air
locomotives and from machinery and
other equipment nearly mile aud q
quarter under ground.
There is nothing ponderous about
President Taft in his association with
men. He is ready talker and es
natural and plain as any member Of
the group. He doesn't hold himself
aioof, and at different times during the
day saw him put his arm In dummy
friendly way about those whom he
knew we'll, like Seth Bullock and
Congressman Martin. His outspok en-
way 10 enjoyed by all who come within
range. One or two incidents might
b given to illustrate.
The first instance came at Edgemont.