The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-07-09
TAVENNER TELLS
STORY ON WILSON.
Relates Incident of Presidents Re-
cent Visit To Village Of York
town
GOES IN COMPANY OF DOCTOR
Residents Did Not Discover Him
Until He Was About To
Leave
BY Congressman Clyde H. Tanner.

BY Congressman Clyde H. Tanner.
Washington, July 9-Here is an
untold story of President Woodrow
Wilson. 1t occurred during the Presi-
dents recent recreation trip to
Chesapeake Bay on the government
yacht Mayflower, and the reason it
escaped the vigilance of the telegraph
news associations was Mr.. Wilson s
inherent modesty and his refusal to
regard himself as any different from
the plainest citizen of the Repub-
lic
The sickening heat of Washing ton
was beginning to tell on Mr.. Wilson,
so his physician, DR.. Grayson, last
week insisted that he take short
vacation. Accordingly trip down the
broad Potomac on the stately May
flower, which the government pro-
vides for the use of the President,
was arranged; and early one morn
ing Mr.. Wilson slipped quietly
abroad without his usual secret SER
vice guard, since it was assumed
that he would not go ashore during
the trip.
But after day spent on the water
he discovered that it would be only
a short run for the Mayflower up
the York River estuary to the village
of Yorktown where Lord CORVALLIS
surrendered to George Washington.
The sultry noon was so drowsy
that the people Of the village paid
only passing attention to two strang-
ers who walked down the shady
street. Much greater curiosity was
aroused by the pair of marines, who
murderously armed, followed at some
distance behind. The captain Of the
yacht, charged with the safety of the
President of the United States was
dubious over the propriety Of MI.
Wilson going ashore accompanied
only by DR.. Grayson and against the
Presidents wishes sent the two ma
rines to follow.
For some time they rambled about
the Courthouse then looked in the
door of the sheriff's office. The sheriff
a squat powerful man with a great,
dropping mustache, sat coatless at
his desk, smoking corncob pipe.
So drowsy was he that he never look
ed up when Mr.. Wilson spoke to him.
MAY we look at the old jury
room?" asked the President. "Sure
thing" roared the sheriff heartily,
but keeping his eyes on his papers.
Right at the top Of the stairs. You
can't miss it," Mr.. Wilson went up
and inspected the room. Then he re-
turned to the sheriff's office, and in
quired if visitors were permitted to
examine the old records in the clerks
office.
81 reckon you can," replied the Of
ficer, not raising his eyes to look
at his visitors. Down at the end of
the corridor. Somebody's in there.
You knock and he will open the
door,"
The President turned to follow di-
rections.
"Hell of a hot day, amt it?"
roared the sheriff after him.
Indeed, it is," answered Mr..
Wilson.
But at the old mansion occupied
by CORVALLIS as. his headquarters,
the sharp eyes of little girl who
acts as guide to the few tourists who
visit Yorktown almost instantly re-
cognized the visitor. She spoke out
directly with childish fearlessness:
"Why, aren't you President Will
SOM" she said.
The President smiled and told her
he was, then asked for her name and
shook hands.
81 am so happy and proud" said
the child, "and so will everybody else
be when they know. This is the first
time a President ever came to York
town."
BY the time the launch bearing
the President out to the Mayflower
was half way to the yacht, the popu-
lation of the village which had en-
tertained the President unawares
gathered on the bluff above the river,
and Mr.. Wilson waved farewell to
them. ..-...-.
Malzahn Buys Metz Car