New-York tribune., 1919-01-07
Life of Roosevelt
Was Teenil1g With
Picturesque Deeds
Tanning of ''Bad Man in
West Only One of Many
Anecdotes Told of Former
President in Rich Career

1t will be long time before those
who knew him best tire Of telling lit
tie personal stories about Colonel
Roosevelt No man probably since Abra-
ham Lincoln LETT such a fund Of ex-
material for personal anecdotes by his
friends.
The question of craftsmanship was a
vital one in the opinion of Colonel
Roosevelt at the time he was As
sistant Secretary of the Navy. He de-
cided that the men on the ships needed
more practice Accordingly, he set to
work to secure an appropriation for
SSO0O0O with which to purchase the
needed powder He finally succeeded,
and then within a month was back for
more.
where is the money we just voted
you?" asked a member Of the Congress
slonal committee.
Finally Won His Point
Burned" said Roosevelt, calmly.
And on that answer he stood pat until
the committee finally voted an addi-
tional $500000 His reward came dur
ing the Spanish American War, when
the craftsmanship of the American
navy excited the admiration of Europe.
Right here in New York's Police De
partment the oldtimers-those who
date their membership in the depart
ment to the days between 1895 and
1897 when Colonel Roosevelt was at
the head of the organization, like to
recall incidents connected with his
stewardship. Particularly will they tell
with glee the simple eXpedient en-
ployed by the then Commissioner to en-
force the excise law.
Colonel Roosevelt had ordered the
Ions calmly ignored the order.
Very we'll" the Colonel said to the
head of the saloonkeepers' association.
'if you wont do it of your own accord
I'll make you" And he did
The following Sunday every uni
formed man on the force was ordere d
to report to his precinct. Then man
was detailed to stand in front of each
saloon in the city. And for the time, at
least, the saloons We're closed.
Wanted Active Post
1t has never been a secret that Colo
mel Roosevelt had no desire to be
Vice President of the United States.
II there ever was a time when the job
went hunting the man, his nomination
for that Office was such time.
A friend who knew him we'll told
afterward of the first occasion when
1t was proposed that the Colonel be-
come the running mate of Mr.. Nc
Kinley.
you know, l don't want lob like
that said the Colonel after he had
listened as patiently as he could to the
committee eXDounded its ideas. 81 don't
want to sit up there in the Senate
Chamber and say, All in favor of the
opposed "No." The motion is carried.
The Senator from such and such a
state has the floor and things like
that. And, beside, you know, l couldn t
SIT still and keep quiet when that man
Blank got up and talked his treason,
when should feel like going down on
the floor and punching his head off"
That the trip to South America, which
now Is generally regarded as having
been the direct contributing cause lead,
ing to his death, was undertaken by
colonel Roosevelt with full knowl-
edge of its hidden perils is we'll under
stood. 1t was begun, in fact only after
repeated protests and strenuous OBJ
Jections on the part of those who knew
the country we'll and who feared for
the outcome Of the expedition.
Warnings Were Unheeded
renry Fairfield Osborn, president of
Sac American Museum Of Natural His
tcry, under whose auspices Colonel
Roosevelt made the South American
trip, recalled yesterday how he remon-
strated with the intrepid hunter before
the expedition started. Mr.. Osborn
pointed out the dangers and insisted
that the museums distinguished repre-
sentative was far 700 old man to
undertake such trip.
sc already lived as much of life
as nine other men | know" said the
Colonel sDiritedly, ''and | am quite
ready to die in South America if it is
necessary.'
The reply was typical of Roosevelt
rom ms youngest days he had no fear
eleher OF conditions, animals or men
one OF the best stories ever told of
hIm as illustrating this quality, had
10 DO with his days out on the Western
frontier when he was ranchinQ.
Ihere was big roundup scheduled ID
for a small settlement in Montana.
Co"punchers from all parts OF the
state gathered for it and, Of course,
mere was the inevitable bad man
ms one was known as Long Ike y
and if tradition was to be believed he
was sure enough bad
The evening Of the first day of the
roundup ts the only meeting place of
the settlement the saloon-was packed
10 the doors The bar was many deep
with no elbow room from end to end.
Tanned bad Man.
'Long Ike" in typical "bad man
style, wandered up and down the room
helping himself to drinks as he saw
ut. And no one interfercd at least
no one until he chanccd to pick up a
Eah-nlied whiskey glass that stood in
front OF a young man who wore
glasses. 'A0
The bad man was so sure Of himsel
nc neglected to take the precaution o.
having his shooting iron" HANDY, I,
consequence, he had no sooner tilted
the glass to his lips than 1.-the. nan.
therlike figure shot through the air
and the next minute Long Ike" was
sprawling on the floor.
The Young man wac Hoooo,..Is