The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-12
ROOSEVELT FETED
OLYMPIC HEROES
Entertained Victorious Ameri-
can Athletes Mt Oyster
Bay in 1908.
POSED WITH CHAMPIONS
Famous Athletic Heroes, In
Guiding Redskins, Were
Presidents Guests.
POSED WITH CHAMPIONS
nv GEORGE q. UNDERWOOD.

nv GEORGE q. UNDERWOOD.
Many were the sporting celebrities
VINO enjoyed the hospitality OF the late
theodore Roosevelt n, the white House
o- at the summer capital at Oyster Bay.
7, was not an uncommon occurrence Tor
the Colonel to honor boxer. wrestler or
athlete with n tete-a-tete or inlorrnal
luncheon invitation. Besides giving
Measure to the guest. and the late
sachem OF Sycamore Hill always was
keen to make life pleasant for even the
most humble Of his friends, the confaos
with sporting notables gave the Presi-
dent needed diversion and relaxation.
President Roosevelt did not connne
his sporting Invitations to individuals
Sometimes he entertained them IN
rroups. Tho Colonel once entertained
the whole Carlisle football team. 1t was
the day after the redskins had made
Thanksgiving dinner out of GeorEetowh
20 the tune Of 81 to 0. The aoortsines
,nst naturallv we're consumed with the
idea OF seeing the Great White Father
and the President only was too anxious
10 grant the request
Commenting on the powwow IKE Sun
at the time In part said:
Tho eleven and their substitutes hled
into Secretary Cortelyou's room. where
the President Joined them II the IN
dams were Ill at ease with being IN INC
presence Of the White Father they oio
not show 1t. They we're stol,d ana ois-
nified and seldom smiled, but It was no
,iceable that all were graceful and
seemed to know how TO carry them
selves.
"De-lighted =" ~ Usual.
~pe-lShted." exclaimed the President.
grasping the hand OF johnson, the little
captain of the team. You play quarter
back The mass play OF your team was
splendid. I am delighted"
SO was Johnson. but he did not sho"
J, until he got outside.
"De-lighted" This to Parker. one OF
the half backs. Your play was brilliant
You made three touchdowns. didn't you!
How In the world did you do it?'
And so Il went along the line. the
President talked football with every man
IN the party Sometimes he would call
hark one Of the red men to discuss
Do,nt In Yesterdays game that was par
rk-ularly Interesting. Nearly every man
was asked what his tribe was. One said
that he was Kiowa-
YES Congressman Curtis belongs 70
that tribe" exclaimed the President.
his Delighted"
There was one player whose Indian
,.na was Bear. "De-l!ghted! cried
the President, grasp!ng the hand warmly.
I'm, we'll acquainted with the bear
-srily. met some of them IN Missis-
s.pp' prd know Baer OF the Feadins
roal c npany. He is harder to eaten
man any OF them. You are built ike a
football player. I'm glad you're not one
~ the bears chased in Mississippi.
They'd make good football players. too"
No Worry About Coal.
At the nd OF the line was the only
player on the Carlisle team who Is not
az Indian He Is Exendine. fun
hooded Eskimo. who played right tackle
He was duly presented by D!scipl!narian
Thompson.
Delighted" came from the Presi-
Dent. as he crushed Exendine's CHUBBY
hand In his own "De-lighted to meet
YOU l congratulate you on coming 70
'his country TO get an education. Sc
.ou are an Eskimo. I don't suppose
ire coal famine worries you bitf'
Then the crowd roared and the Car
isle team passed out of the room. When
they got outside they lost their stolidity
prd chattered together IKE the delighted
boys they vera
The little band Of Carlisle braves re-
csived by President Roosevelt at the
White House IN 1902 only was smat'
terng 70 the regiment Of olympic ath-
'etes entertained by the President at the
summer capital Oyster Bay. following
The glorious Yankee triumph at the Lon
don Olympic games In 1908.
Soon after the return OF the Olyn'
Plans the President announced M
WANT N opportunity OF personally con
graduating tho stout hearted sons Of
Uncle Sam who had humbled the pici
Of the worlds athletes In far off London
and that the best way he knew o.
ioing so was to have them come anc
spend day with him on Sagamor'
ElL