A visit of presidential magnitude

A visit of presidential magnitude

By John T. Toler

In a satirical cartoon mocking President Roosevelt’s physical condition and his General Order No. 6, his terrified horse is saying, ‘Suffering Caesar! What am I up against?’

A signed print of a portrait of President Roosevelt painted by Gari Melchers was presented to the citizens of Warrenton in appreciation of their hospitality during his visit on Jan. 13, 1909.

“There has been a good deal of talk in Congress and in the papers and among the grumblers in the army and navy about my physical exercise order, which as a matter of fact was very moderate,” President Theodore Roosevelt wrote to his son Kermit in a letter dated Jan. 14, 1909.

The President was referring to his General Order No. 6, which required a physical fitness test for all officers that included either an 80-mile horseback ride, 100-mile bicycle ride or a 50-mile walk, to be completed in three days or less.

Roosevelt was criticized in the ranks and in the press, and to prove the validity of the order and his own physical capabilities, he came up with a plan to ride over 90 miles on horseback in the dead of winter in less than one day.

He was familiar with the Town of Warrenton through his friend and fellow Spanish-American War veteran, Commodore John C. Wise, who lived on Culpeper Street across from St. James’ Episcopal Church. Wise notified local authorities about the planned visit and made arrangements for a lunch at the Warren Green Hotel, and a quick turn-around.

Accompanying Roosevelt on the ride were his military aide, Capt. Archibald W. Butt; Surgeon General of the Navy Adm. Presley M. Rixey; and Lt. Cary T. Grayson, the naval surgeon on the Mayflower, Roosevelt’s presidential yacht.

The date was Jan. 13, 1909, and Capt. Butt arranged for cavalry personnel from Ft. Myer to set up relay points at Fairfax and Gainesville for fresh mounts. Roosevelt had planned to use his favorite mounts, “Roswell” and “Georgia,” but due to a miscommunication, “Georgia” was left at the stable.

After breakfast and a quick physical exam, the riders departed the White House at 3:45 a.m. The weather was bad, but they reached the relay point at Fairfax by daybreak. They changed saddles and bridles and headed to Centreville in a freezing rain.

Fresh mounts awaited them east of Gainesville, but the standard military mounts were rougher and slower than they expected. They passed through New Baltimore and reached Warrenton at 11 a.m., where a luncheon of soup, roast beef and potatoes was prepared for them.

Word of their arrival had gotten out, and schools and some businesses closed. “By the time the distinguished visitors reached the Warren Green, a large crowd had gathered to pay their respects, and there, presented by Dr. Wise, many Warrentonians had the honor and pleasure of meeting the President,” wrote Fauquier Democrat reporter M. Louise Evans.

After a brief introduction by Dr. Wise, Roosevelt thanked the crowd for their warm welcome, and shook many hands. Members of the Warrenton Hunt offered to accompany the President on the return trip, but he respectfully declined.

A little over an hour after their arrival, the riders mounted up. They reached Centreville in a freezing rain, and Fairfax by dark. With the ice and poor visibility, progress was slow, but as they entered Washington, they took off at a gallop for the “stretch,” reaching the White House at 8:30 p.m.

Even after about 17 hours in the saddle and the miserable weather, Roosevelt claimed he never felt better. When asked about the ride, he replied, “It was bully!”

In appreciation for the hospitality shown by the people of Warrenton, Roosevelt later presented the town with a signed print of the portrait done of him in 1908 by artist Gari Melchers. It hangs today in the Virginiana Room of the Fauquier County Public Library Main Branch. Roosevelt left office on March 4, 1909, succeeded by William Howard Taft. But he continued to be a force in politics, first as a Republican and later in the Progressive (“Bull Moose”) Party. He retired from public life in 1916 and died on Jan. 6, 1919.

Capt. Butt died April 15, 1912 in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. He was remembered for his selfless efforts to save other passengers.

Lt. Grayson, promoted to Admiral in 1916, continued his connection with the White House, serving on board the Mayflower during Taft’s administration. He was later appointed White House physician for President Woodrow Wilson, and served as Wilson’s personal aide. Admiral Grayson retired in 1928 and moved to a new home at Blue Ridge Farm near Upperville. In 1935, he succeeded John Barton Payne as chairman of the American Red Cross, a position he held until his death in 1938.

Admiral Rixey, who was the founder of the U. S. Navy Nurse Corps, retired in 1910, but continued to serve on the Naval Examining Board. He died in 1928.