Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-16

nor when this capitol was built and
nobody got away with a nickel of the
money" was the further explanation
offered by a powerfully built man,
partially attired like a cow-puncher.
He wore chaps, and soft leather high
heeled boots with spurs and had a
bandanna handkerchief around his
neck, but spoiled the picture by wear
ing a sailor straw hat. This big
fellow, because of that straw hat, lost
the chance of being the first man in
cowboy regalia to be seen by the
President on his trip West.
Tough Old Days.
While motoring through the town,
the route carried the party through
section to which the Presidents at
tention was called because it has the
distinction of having once been the
toughest quarter-mile in this section
of the West But that was years ago
when every building was saloon or
dance hall or gambling house and.
hence somebody was popped off
every night or so. That was back in
the sos. 1t is peaceful and respectable
now. All that remains of that dark
period is a long two-story frame build
ing which the President was told
served on those days as the principal
den Of Pierre.
The day had been an ideal one up
until half an hour after departing
from Pierre 1t then rained during
the remainder of the journey, but this
did not seem to bother or otherwise
check the spirits of the natives along
the remainder of the way. AT each
succeeding station there were crowds,
probably a little smaller in size than
the earlier ones, but just as friendly
and interested.
Up until the moment of the rain,
the President and Mrs. Coolidge spent
most of their time yesterday on the
platform of the observation car. Not
ONLY did they appear Interested in CIV
ing the crowds an opportunity to see
them and to respond to the shouts
of welcome, but they waned to miss
nothing OF the scenenry. 1t was a
country so strange and 6lnerent In
neary every respect to that With which
they are so familiar. The President
showed great interest in the level
ground, the splendid appearance of
the grain, at the junction of the Mis-
souri, and the Jim Rivers and later,
when the sage brush country APP
peared, in the large herds of cattle.
Politics Are Avoided.
Although the President received any
number of the leading Republicans of
the State during his trip. through
South Dakota, score of whom rode
for several hours on the special train,
he indicated no desire to talk politics.
During his brief chats with these
party men, the conversation was con-
fined principally to the subject Of
the Presidents vacation, the people
at the stations. the crops and the APP
pearance of the country.
There was some comment on the
fact that Senator McMaster and Re
representatives. Johnson and Williamson
of this State did not join the welcom-
ing party of leaders. This comment,
however. was not made in the pres
ence of Mr.. Coolidge and the surmise
Of some was that these three Republi-
cans absented themselves, fearing that
a too close competition with the Cool
idge visit might react against them
at the polls next Fall. South Dakota
is supposed TO be in somewhat of a
"revolt" against Mr.. Coolidge be.
cause of his stand on farm relief leg
islation. But there were no evidences
of resentment anywhere. Rather there
was an expression of genuine good
will.