ROOSEVELT’S NERVE

Waipukurau Press, Issue 285, 21 July 1908, Page 7

ROOSEVELT’S NERVE

0 President Roosevelt had a very narrow escape from death while riding in Rock Creek Park with Mrs Rooseyelt and his military aide-de-camp, Lieutenant McDermott. The lieutenant had a young restive horse which the President insisted on riding. All went well until the party reached a ford where the stream runs swiftly over the stones. The President’s mount began to wheel at the sight of the water, and as soon as the President forced him in, turned and dashed up a steep bank. The President kept his seat, and again pulled the horse into rhe water. No sooner had he done so, however, than the horse began to plunge and rear violently, and again dashed up the bank. This time he almost reached the top, despite the efforts of the President to check him, and then fell backwards. President Roosevelt jumped clear from the saddle just in time, and both horse and rider rolled _ into the stream. It was only Mr Roosevelt’s luck that saved him from being killed by the vicious Kicks of the animal as it lay in , the water. Though severely bruised, the President regained his feet, and assisted his aide-de-camp in helping the horse ashore. Then he mounted again, despite the protests of his wife .and aide-de-camp, and remained art hour in the saddle in order* to master the animal before returning home.