The Washington times., 1912-10-16
ROOSEVELT ALWAYS
CLOSELY GUARDED
ON CAMPAIGN TRIPS
Colonel Probably Alive To-
day Because of Watch
fulness of Friends.
By THEODORE TILLER.

ny 4hnODONN xALLhN.
That Colonel Theodore Roosevelt Is
....ve today is probably due to the pecu-
tor manner in which he was always
nanked by members Of his party on this
tour. The colonel chafed at
times under the constant watching Of
his travelling companions. but their fore
sight was rewarded at Milwaukee.
The dispatches say the assassin was
prevented from fring second shot into
Col. Roosevelt!s body because he was
seized by E1bert Martin. one of the
Roosevelt stenographers, who was i'm
mediately aided by Col. Cecil Lyon and
Harry Cochems. '...'
Mr. Roosevelt's volunteer bodyguard
have. been prepared for just such an
emergency since the day the Progressive
candidate began his campaigning six
weeks ago. It is easy for one who has
accompanied the colonel to understand
the squelching of his would-be assailant.
During the thirty days the writer ac-
rompanied Mr.. Roosevelt on his coast
forecast. tour, the following program
Invariably was followed when the
former President entered any vehicle:
+ Program Of Defense.
Leaving a hotel, the colonel and his
party always found the Hobbies crowd
ed Scores would attempt to shake
the Rooseveltian hand. Elbert Martin.
weighing more than two hundred
pounds and as aggressive as any grid
iron star, insisted upon grabbing one
OF the colonel's arms-generally the
right. Martin would throw his own
body a bit in advance Of that of the
colonel and would work his elbow with
piston-like vigor and precision. The
crowd would fall back; sometimes a
fellow scowled as Martins elbow dug
into his sides, but the colonel had been
hs on caen as Ssd
Attaching himself to the colonel's re-
naming arm, Col. Cecil Lyon. the asile
and wiry Texan. was an excellent as
traiIed. just a foot In the Progressive
candidates rear and his elbow and
spare form kept the crowd from SHOW
Ing In from behind.
In the wake Of Martin and Lyon toi-
lowed closely John McGrath, another
Of the colonels secretaries. and Dr.
Scurry L. Terrill. The newspaper cor
respondents brought up the extreme
rear. ..
was almost skidded across to the ma.
chine. Waving his arms, Lyon reached
for the door. swung II open, and hoppec
|, into the automobile. Mr.. Roosevelt FOL
lowed, taking his seat In the middle
with Martin. on the other side. Some
times the order was changed. and Other
members OF the colonel's party hanked
him in the machine. while Martin nuns
on to the running board.
No time was lost In the getaway, ano
when the assailant, Schrank, asserts
, that he has been waiting for days tc
get near the Progressive candidate he
Is probably telling the truth. and un'
, doubtedly ne surrRounted difficulties II
, getting by the Martin-Lyoh system oI
| defense.
Feared for His Safety.
II Is violating no confidence to sa,
that members OF the coloners party OF
/ his recent ll.000-mile journey were JUS
a bit apprehensive regarding his per
| sonaI safety. Ostensibly young Mar
tin and Lyons or McGrath stuck clos'
, to Mr.. Roosevelt to ward of inquisitlv'
! persons, too enthusiastic Bull Moos'
! and occa sional cranks. Nevertheless
more than once on that journey wal
, the thought broached:
What IL some crank should attemp
| to Dot the, colonelg'
| TN be there said Martin, one DAY
| And he was.
Colonel Roosevelt IL the kind Of I
man who makes stanch friends ant
| champions and bitter political enemies
| At several places on his swing abou
! the circle, disturbers were elected from
| the audience. In a Pacific coast towi
| wild-eyed man crowded near tn
| colonel's automobile, shook his nst a
the occupants and threw anti, Roosevel
| literature, OF the most scurrilous char
acter, into every machine participating
| In the Roosevelt parade.
| These incidents, harmless In them
selves, made members Of the colonel
| himself felt no fear and OCCASIONAL,
| rebelied slightly at the constant guard
lanship of Martin. Lyon, McGrath, anc
| other members Of his party.
Ebert Martin. the chief hero OF tht
near tragedy at Milwaukee,, proved al
| lie man. Possessing a more formiuao oil
physique than McGraw and Lyon. neith
er OF whom. however. lacks fghtinl
ability, Martin volunteered to take tn.
! brunt of the football rushes in whici
| the Roosevelt party was engaged y
| every city and ne was as useful In thi
as in a stenographic capacity.
! In fact, Martin was sometimes to-
, kealous in his determination that tn
| colonels pathway to and from his hote
| or train should be unimpeded. Al Jack
! son, Tenn, II Is remembered, Martin
| life was threatened by an irate South
erner who insisted that the youni
| stenographer had deliberately and male
, violently showed the aforesaid South
erner and his wife.
Stranger Wanted Vengeance.
! The stranger thirsted for, vengeance
! alleging that he and his wife had beel
"insuited." 1t required ten minutes TO
members Of the party to explain tha
| young Martin was charged with tn
' a
crowd and that no personal affront wa
| meant. .
| With all his strength. however. Mart.l
! Ia as gentle as a child and as even
| tempered-except when the crowd Is at
| tempting to crush the colonel.
, These Incidents are but illustrative o
the tough-and-tumble nature OF tn
| Roosevelt receptions. Whenever Mr.
Roosevelt left his private car. the hote
| or an auditorium, he was the center o
| throngs composed OF eager. curious. an
| enthusiastic persons whose main idei
seemed to be to get near the Progress
sive candidate and who would adop
harsh methods to accomplish that de
sign.
sick bed today, he and the nation ma
be grateful that his secretaries and hi
personal friends insisted upon surround
ing him when he was exposed to tn
i pdoration or theturbulent curiosity Q
: the crowds. II 1t had not been for pre-
cautions taken when danger SCENE
least imminent the country today prof.
abby would be mourning the death G