1907 - Teddy Bears Have A Jubilee

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Roanoke Times - October 23, 1907

TEDDY BEARS HAVE A JUBILEE

For President Roosevelt Arrives This Morning - His Train Late

As announced in yesterdays morning's Times President Theodor 
Roosevelt will pass through the city this morning enroute to 
Washington from his big hunting trip in Mississippi. As will be 
remembered when his prospective passage through Roanoke was 
ascertained, Mr. Angell, president of the Chamber of Commerce, in the 
absence of Mayor Cutchin, telegraphed Mr. Roosevelt to tarry long 
enough in Roanoke to make her citizens a short address, in which he 
should especially tell "how he killed the bear."
   An answer was expected from the president all of yesterday, but 
none came, and so fearing the message had not reached the president, 
on account of the crippled state of the telegraph, Mr. Angell had a 
service message sent in search of the original. An answer was 
received to that from Nashville, stating that the original message 
had been delivered. Mr. Angell attributed the president's delay to 
the reception at Nashville, remembering that he would have little 
time while there to think of sending messages, but sufficient time 
has now passed for one to be sent enroute. At a late hour last night 
none had arrived, however.
   And so The Times is unable to inform its readers whether or not 
the citizens of Roanoke will have the opportunity of hearing the 
president speak this morning, yet the chances are for a speech. In 
the first place Mr. Roosevelt is exceedingly fond of speaking when 
the occasion offers to talk to American citizens, whatever be their 
persuasion, he seizes and makes the most of that opportunity. In the 
second place he could not fly by if he wished, for his train must 
stop as long as five minutes. Given five minutes, a crowd of people 
and "Teddy" Roosevelt, what is the result? However, Mr. Angell still 
expects an answer and a favorable one. At all events the president 
will no doubt speak, but whether for long or short, depends upon his 
acceptance of the invitation to tarry longer in the city than the 
necessary five minutes.
   In yesterday's paper it was stated that the president's special 
would arrive here at 8 o'clock. However, at a late hour last night 
information was received from the train dispatcher's office to the 
effect that the special is about and hour late and will not reach 
Roanoke until 9.15.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link