Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1909 — TAFT TO GET GUN AND SHOOT CATS [ARTICLE]

TAFT TO GET GUN AND SHOOT CATS

Felines He Will Seek Will Be of the Kind That Are Wild. DICKINSON IS WITH HIS CHIEF President For First Time During Hii Trip Takes to His Arms an Infant and Implants on the Child’s Cheek a Kiss—He Congratulates Army Officer For Pluck In Trying to Stick on the Back of a Fractious Horse. Gregory, Tex., Oct. 19. —A wildcat hunt, a day’s tarpon fishing, motor boating and automobiling, rabbit chasing and golf are a few of the diversions In which President Taft IS expected to Indulge in the course of his four days’ rest at the ranch of his brother, Charles P. Taft. The Taft ranch fronts on three bayous on the gulf. It Is devoted largely to’cattle raising. The president’s brother has provided a big strong horse for his guest, and the president will do considerable riding. They do their wildcat hunting in the night or along about dusk when the creatures venture from the woods In ftearch of prey. Charles P. Taft has several fine hounds that are well trained for wildcats. Ducks and geese also have begun to come in from the north and the president may try his luck with them. Secretary of War Dickinson will be a guest at the ranch during the president’s Btay.

Qualifies as a Mason. While Taft was at the Sam Houston army post reviewing troops, a horse ridden by Major John D. Stone started down the field at a terrific clip. The major stuck to his saddle for about 200 yards and then was thrown over the horse’s head. He got up unhurt. The president congratulated Stone on his pluck in sticking to the horse as long as he did. At the army post the president laid the corner stone of a memorial chapel. He picked up a mason’s hammer and chipped a good-sized piece off the stone. “This stone is hardly square and true,” said the president. The mason agreed and handed a little hammer to Taft. “Hit there,” said the mason, pointing with his finger, and the hammer descended. The chip fell off and the stone cutter* said “splendid.” Then they gave the president a trowel. The mortar was on a board nearby, but to Taft’s critical eye it was a bit dry. At any rate he poked the trowel into it two or three times and worked it over before Spreading it on the foundation. Taft Kiss For Texas Infant. The maddest man in Texas was Cecil Lyon, the Republican state boss. He was sitting Just behind the president when Taft in his San Antonia speech began to praise Congressman Slayden, a Democrat, for his interest in getting an appropriation for Fort Sam Houston. “My God,” exclaimed Lyon, “doesn't he know that I am making a fight, against Slaydeu’s re-election?” Falls City got the first presidential baby kiss of the Taft trip. Mrs. E. S. Woolsey passed an infant bver the rear platform railfhg and the president took it in his arms. With all of Falls City cheering the president planted a gentle kiss on the child's cheek.