Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-31
Roosevelt Believed
Amphibian Might
Have Survived in S. A.

NoShAh6toAiB 240iNh hSOuoAS
Roosevelt believed there might be
some huge surviving amphibian in
the jungles of the Southern Andes,
such as has recently been described
in cable dispatches from South
America, and when the former presi-
dent went on his expedition which
discovered the River Of Doubt, he had
some idea of looking for it.
John Barrett, late director Of the
Pan-American Union and minister
to Argentina during President Roose-
velt's administration has just dis
closed that part Of Colonel Roose-
velt's expeditionary plans which
hitherto are said to have been untold
"On reading the first cabled report"
said Mr.. Barrett, that Martin Shelf
field. an American of whom I have
personal knowledge, had reported
that he had seen what appeared TO
be a plesiosaurian monster or huge
amphibian swimming in the waters
Of q southern Andean jungle lake,
l recalled that nearly twenty years
ago, in November. 1903. when ! was
minister to Argentina a clear-headed
typical American prospector and ex-
plorer. whose name have forgotten.
came to the legation and in a con-
vincing way. proceeded to relate TO
me story almost Identical with
that now reported as told recently
by Sheffield. to the effect that he
had seen swimming in a lake a huge
lizard-like monster with a curved
neck. His expert discussion of, the
Andean plateaus and plains con-
WINGED me of his sincerity and re-
sponsibility. He urged me to help
him raise money in either Argentina
or the United States, preferably the
latter, to outfit and conduct an expe-
dition to locate and capture this
extraordinary animal. and begged
me to write to President Roosevelt
about it and mention his name be
cause he had been associated in
some way with Roosevelt in the
Cuban campaign.
although l gave him no promises
he said he would call again. Shortly
afterward l wrote President Roose-
welt personal and unofficial letter
referring to this incident. In about
month and half. there came in
the legation pouch personal letter
from the President written in his
own handwriting and expressing real
interest in the story of this Amer
lean whom he said he well remem-
bered and asking me to get without
fail into touch with him at once
and ask him to write all about what
he had seen.
THE man meanwhile sent word
that he was off again on a mineral
and timber prospecting tour in south
ern Argentina and Chile but giving
no address and no names of those
he might represent.
I'm April, five months later. Just
before l went to Panama as first
American Minister. received letter
from the prospector written from
some far away place in Chubut. or
so-called Patagonia. lie was almost
enthusiastic in his story of how he
had again found a fresh trail of a
strange animal leading to the waters
of lake, although he had not ac-
tually again seen the beast as in
his first experience. This letter | at
once forwarded to President Roose-
Welt and l am wondering if it is
still in his archives which may have
been preserved. Since then / have
never received any further word from
or about this American prospcctor.
Possibly he may be alive and read
/ Il
information.
when L returned to the United
states the first salutation President
Roosevelt gave me as I entered his
Office in the White House was: We'll.
old Pan American, where is YOUR
Argentine amphibian and what has
happened TO - calling the
mans name. 1t is my impression
that Rep. Cannon and several other
congressman We're in the room at
the time and they nay recall this
salutation because everybody seemed
amused by it.
After the departure of tile others
the President for half an hour dis
cussed. as an enthusiastic naturalist
and scientist the possibility of there
being some huge surviving amphibian
descended from the ancient plesio-
sauriaDs, and actually took stock.
SO TO speak, In the story of the
American prospector whom he said
he well remembered. / mentioned
the incident to Secretary Loeb as !
left the Presidents office and he
may possibly recall my conversation.
Years later when Colonel Roose-
Welt made his famous trip to South
America. he told me confidentially
just before sailing that, although
he had never heard anything fur
Their from this American prospector.
should not be surprised if, after
his arrival in Argentina, he decided
TO make special trip Of exploration
TO Southern Argentina and Chile. in
the nope of ascertaining whether
there was any truth in these stories
or this monster amphibian. which
strongly appealed TO him. He want
ed nothing said about it lest there
shoMd be ridicule if he did a,t
succeed
Shortly before he left Buenos
Aires. Argentina. for his notable anl
possibly fatal trip up the Parana ana
Paraguay rivers into the heart of
Brazil. he sent me word through
a mutual Argentine friend that he
had finally decided m tho p,o,;,,,,,