CHAPTER 1. 
Thousands Cheer Former President RooseveeTs Departure 
EOR Aerica—Every Ship, Ferry Boat and Tug Joined in 
TP iE Demonstration Shrieey with their Whistees^—Tpie 
Two Forts Guarding the Entrance to New York Harbor 
Fired the Ex-PresidenFs Saeute—President Taet Sends 
Fareweee by his Mieitary Aide—Coe. Rooseveet Repeies 
Characteristicaeey by Teeegraph—PI iGPi Oeeiciaes and 
Distinguished Citizens Pay their Respect and at the 
Ship say: “Bon Voyage ET au Revoir/' 
M arch 4, 1909, was the most disagreeable Inauguration Day 
ever witnessed at Washington. The terrific storm had 
blocked trains and leveled telegraphic wires. Thousands of people 
en route to witness the ceremonies incident to the transfer of the 
Presidency of the United States from Theodore Roosevelt to 
William Howard Taft, never reached Washington at all. The 
storm was so severe in snow, wind and low temperature that the 
regulation ceremonies outside the capitol building were abandoned 
entirely. 
It was remarked, facetiously of course, that the furious storm 
was brought about because a strenuous man was relinquishing his 
hold on the ship of state and that the man who is the greatest per¬ 
sonal force in the world, influenced the very elements. Moreover, 
this king of human strenuosity was soon to match his vigorous, 
constant action against the king of animal strenuosity in fearless¬ 
ness, ferocity and endurance, the lion. 
On March 23, at 11 A. M., Col. Roosevelt boarded the steam¬ 
ship Hamburg for the first stage of his voyage to Africa. 
Plis departure was one of the most thrilling scenes ever ' 
witnessed in New York. Not since the time when General Grant 
began his tour of the world was such a farewell given to a departing ^ 
citizen; and the old timers who were present when the civil war hero 
H. B. G.~2 17 
