The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-01-16
COL. ROOSEVELT
TAKEN BY DEATH
Former President of United
States Succumbs Suddenly
at Oyster Bay.
HAD BEEN I'LL FOR ONE YEAR
His Extraordinary Career as Leader
of Men and Maker Of History
Noted as Statesman, Soldier.
Author and Explorer.

New York-CoI. Theodore Roosevelt
died suddenly at an early hour
Monday morning at his home in Oy-
ster Bay. His physicians said death
was caused by pulmonary embolism,
or the lodging in the lung of a clot
of blood from a broken vein.
Colonel Roosevelt's last illness may
he said to date from last February. On
February 5, it was announced that he
had been removed from his home in
Oyster Bay to the Roosevelt hospital
in this city, following an operation on
one OF his ears. Soon after his ar
rival at the hospital he underwent two
more operations for the removal OF
diseased tissue in his infected ear,
and it was admitted at the time that
he was seriously i'll. He remained at
the hospital until March 8.
Early in November the colonel was
taken to Roosevelt hospital in this city
for the treatment of rheumatism and
sciatica.
Was Typical American.
Theodore Roosevelt, Who was known
as "the most typical American"
throughout his career. had been fam
Gus for setting records" He was the
youngest president the nation ever
had, succeeding to the office on VIII
liam McKinley's death at the age Of
forty-two.
Colonel Roosevelt is held to have
had as diverse interests and as wide
acquaintance with all phases of life
as any man in history. In addition to
=; I.
the author of many books on travel,
sport, history, politics and other sub
jects, was fighter for reform from
the moment he first appeared in city
politics in New York, holder of many
university degrees. an orator, a lee
turer, great hunter, athlete, interna-
tional peacemaker and militant leader
of his followers at all times, whether
in or out of office.
Was Born in New York City.
Theodore Roosevelt was born Octo-
Der q, 1853. in New York city. His
father was Theodore Roosevelt and his
mother before her marriage was Mar
tina Bullock. The boy began life with
a small, frail body and not robust
health. His ambition from youth was
to be strong, an athlete,-a dOer of
great deeds and a scholar as well. His
remarkable mental endowment was
shown in the way he accomplished
the dual object in life, so that after
seven years and a half as president,
during which he promulgated innumer-
able reforms and national issues, he
went to Africa and for nearly a year
Al,
ing hardships, but coming out more ro-
bust and active than ever.
1t was predicted that Africa would
kill Roosevelt, but in few days time
he had changed the hunting shirt for
the clothes of the diplomat and was
being idolized and showered with hon.
ors in the courts Of Europe.
Starts His Political Career.
Roosevelt completed his education at
Harvard university in 1880, and the
same year married Alice Hathaway
Lee, daughter of George Cabot Lee of
New York. She lived only four years
and was the mother of the present Mrs.
Alice Roosevelt Longworth, wife of
Congressman Nicholas Longworth of
Cincinnati, o.
Colonel Roosevelt's interest in poll
tics dates from the year after his mar
riage to Miss Lee. Some of the Re
publican district leaders in New York
had taken an interest in him. He
seemed likely young fellow, with
vigor, ambition and some money. Two
years later he was sent to the state
assembly at Albany and began a ca
reer which marked him out as a man
devoted to the public interest.
After three years OF assembly, how
ever, Roosevelt thought he had enough,
and for a time withdrew from public
life. He stepped out cordially hated
by the corrupt politicians. disliked by
many wealthy New Workers and al
ready hailed as the acknowledged lead
er Of the reform element in his party.
The death of his wife also was a fac
tor in his temporary retirement, and
he went to a ranch in North Dakota,
where he was introduced as "that four
eyed tenderfoot."
The tenderfoot, however, put in prac-
tice some fundamental rules for hon
esty in the conduct of the ranch he had
purchased and the names of derision
were soon dropped. He became popu-
lar, a noted hunter, a good shot and
provided himself during his years of