Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-08-15
PRESIDENT FINDS
FATHER JOHN HALE
IN PLYMOUTH HOME

Plymouth, Vt, Aug. 14-(AP)-
Laying aside the care of office Pres
ident Coolidge arrived tonight in the
hills Of Vermont for a brief visit
with his aged father. An eight hour
motor trip, through transforms and
over slippery roads, brought the
President from the summer White
House in Swampscott to his birth
place. He found his father, criti-
cally Ill six weeks ago, waiting for
him in front Of his modest home.
This sight was one of several that
touched the executive on an event.
full days ride. Earlier he had stop
ped near Camp Devens to greet his
son, John. a corporal in the Citizens
Military Training Camp, had visited
the graveyard at Rockingham Meet
ing House, near Bellows Falls. VT,
where his great-great grandfather
was buried and had dropped in at
the home in Proctorsville, VT, of his
aunt, Mrs. Sarah Pollard.
Immediately after arrival here, Mr.
and Mrs. Coolidge accompanied by
Colonel John Coolidge, the Presi.
dents father went to the cemetery
where their younger son Calvin was
buried a little over a year ago. They
remained for a brief time. The sad
ness was alleviated in a measure in
the Presidents mind by the appear
ance. Dressed in best clothes Colo
mel Coolidge not only greeted his
distinguished son and daughter in
law, but showed him around his
place, pointing out a number of late
improvements.
Until the visit Monday of Secre-
tary Mellon and Senator Smoot OF
Utah to discuss the Belgian debt
situation, the President intends to
keep affairs Of state shunted to the
background and give himself over
the rest and relaxation.
Leaving Swampscott in a drizzle
the first stop made by the President
On the outskirts of Aver. Mass, near
Camp Devens, where John was wait
ing in the automobile of Brigadier
General Barnum, Camp Command
ant. The President and Mrs. Cool
idge kissed the lad, and chatted with
him.
7 Between Aver and Fitchburg. the
Presidential caravan ran into q
binding storm which made driving
on the congested Hohawk Trail
somewhat hazardous but winding
past trucks and automobiles. with
headlights on, the Presidents linn
CUISINE made it's way through safely
SWINGING into New Hampshire and
Vermont, the Presidents car travel
lev mostly over dirt roads. made
muddy and at times almost impass-
able by rain.
The President and Mrs. Coolidge
munched a box lunch as they rode
They stopped for few moments al
Troy. n. H, and through keene, n
H., and Bellows Falls VT, crowds
cheered them.
: A few miles north of Bellows Falls
the President ordered his car stop
ned at a rather isolated point. Famfl-
lar with the surroundings. he and
Mrs. Coolidge climbed a hill to the
Rockingham Meeting House ceme-
terv and found the slab marking the
resting place of the Presidents ma
ternal great, great grandfather. Ma
thaniel Davis. who at the age OF
so. died in 1902. a.
Before continuing Mr.. and Mrs
Coolidge went into the Meetins
House. stood for moment at the
new which Nathaniel Davis one oc-
cupied and signed the register OF
the Old Town Meeting House. Mrs
Pollard at Proctorsville, was caugh'
by surprise She didn't hear the
President knock on the door ana ne
was Obliged to enter and call for
her before she was aware OF ner
guests. Before starting on for Ply
mouth the President, Mrs. Coolidge
and Mrs. Pollard were photographed
together, Mrs. Coolidge holding "Ru-
fus,p a big black cat in her arms
After an early supper here the
President and his wife took stroll
together along a back road to the
farm of Mr.. Coolidges grandfather
,rbare he worked as a boy.