Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1909 — PRESIDENT HAS NEAR-ACCIDENT [ARTICLE]

PRESIDENT HAS NEAR-ACCIDENT

Foot Slips on Connecticut as He Climbs Turret PRAISES MEN BEHIND GUNS Tells Jackies of the Fleet That Already They Have Shown Expert Markmanship In Smooth Seas and That They Must Learn to Do as Well In the Waves—Says “For If You Ever Have to Fight You Can't Choose Your Water.” Fort Monroe, Va., Feb. 23. —Old Point Comfort never held such a : throng as today and a strong detail of artillerymen from Fort Monroe was required to keep in order the crowds here to inspect the battleship fleet. Quick action by the soldiers several times prevented accidents which might ! have had fatal results. Cheer-laden breezes swept from the j shores out to the war vessels. The fleet rests in two long lines. The vessels during the evening, the outlines of their hulls, their masts and their towering funnels being painted in the brilliant fire of electric bulbs against the black background of the night. The President’s Toast. “Not until some American fleet returns victorious from a great sea battle will there .be another such homecoming, another such sight as this. I drink to the American navy.” This was. the toast of President Roosevelt as he stood radiantly happy in the cabin of the cruiser yacht Mayflower at the conclusion of the review and the ceremonies attending the welcome home of Sperry’s ships. The president was in the same joyous mood as he was when the ships set sail fourteen months ago. Coming aboard the Connecticut with the band playing the "Star Spangled Banner” and the forward guns firing a salute of twenty-one guns in his honor, the president passed first down the long line of officers along the starboard rail and had a word of cordial greeting for each and every one. Narrowly Misses Bad Fall. In order to reach the shelf of a barbette some five feet above the deck on the Connecticut, the president had to step first upon a water hydrant. His foot; slipped when he made the initial attempt and he narrowly missed a fall which might have proved serious. As be finally made the gun platform the cheered lustily. The president particularly caught the fancy of the men when he told them he was immensely satisfied with the gunnery work thus far accomplished. "You have done Al in smooth water," said the president, “but what I want to see next year is a target practice under the condition in rough water. “For if you ever have to fight,” continued the president, “you can’t choose your water.”