Born an asthmatic sickly child into a wealthy New York family, Roosevelt - while enjoying the best of home-schooled education (followed by Harvard) that money can buy, compensated for his less than robust health by strenuous activities like rowing and boxing and outdoor nature studies, biology, and naval studies - while determined to rise into a position of power in the ruling classes.
That's about all I intend to say about that side of Roosevelt as it's obvious that he was most successful and clever politically - but that's a whole other story, - And I'd guess most parents will know that their kids "Teddy Bear" cuddly toys were named after Theodore R in 1902 when he was reported widely for refusing a shot at a Black Bear when hunting in Mississipi.
'T.R' Roosevelt was a writer of many books - but particularly of interest here are those about his life in the Dakotas cattle ranching, riding, hunting, shooting, indians and camping-out in extreme blizzard weather. - He describes one time desperately struggling homeward through a freezing snow-storm, without his usual fur overcoat - with icicles hanging from his pony's lips. His stories of hunting and tracking are well worth reading.
.JPG)
from a F.Remington painting in 'RANCH LIFE AND THE HUNTING TRAIL'
'T.R' left the Dakotas ranching phase of his life when he lost all his cattle from blizzards - and returned to political life - forming the "Rough Riders" in the Spanish - American War in 1898. He became famous nation wide for his brave fighting exploits in Cuba.
"Speak softly and carry a big stick" was his slogan in the early 1900s.
In 1909 'T.R' went hunting and collecting in Africa killing approx. 11,400 specimens that were shipped back to American museums.
With him and his son Kermit on this trip were legendary hunter-tracker R J Cunninghame and from time to time the Big-Game hunter and explorer F R Selous.
Roosevelt took with him on this safari as his personal arms - a presentation Holland and Holland double rifle in .500/.450 - a Winchester 1895 in .405 Winchester, - a customised M1903 Army Springfield in .30/06, and a Fox No 12 Shotgun.
On October 14th 1912, Roosevelt was shot in an assassination attempt, but survived and continued with his blood seeping onto his stained shirt, to give a 90 minute speech before agreeing to go to hospital.
- The bullet lodged in his chest only after passing through his metal glasses case and a thick once folded 50 page copy of his speech notes in his jacket pocket. The bullet lodged in his chest muscles
BULLET HOLED SPEECH NOTES AND GLASSES CASE
FROM ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
had penetrated three inches and was not removed by doctors. This consequently made his arthritis worse and he could no longer exercise regularly and became somewhat obese.
In 1913-1914 Roosevelt took part in a Brazilian jungle expedition exploring the river Rio da Duvida that was later renamed in his honour. He suffered further injury and illness - being delirious with infection and fever on this mammoth jungle trip - there is his popular book 'Through The Brazillian Wilderness' that tells all.
I think it would be fair to say that Theodore Roosevelt held many powerful positions in public office and led an interesting and full life that was closely involved with firearms - both from behind and in front of guns (as a target).
When five years later -suffering from breathing difficulties he died in his sleep in the early hours of January 6th 1919 - his son Archie telegraphed his family "THE OLD LION IS DEAD".
--------------------------
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870
No comments:
Post a Comment