User:Ercarpency

THE SECRET TRIP OF T.R.

On a Deer hunting trip to Quebec Canada back in 1977, I stayed at a Bed and Breakfast that was supposedly owned by desendants of Sylvane Ferris. Sylvane Farris was Joe Farris's brother they were both friends with President Teddy Roosevelt from the time when he owned a ranch in the Dakota Bad Lands. During the time he was makng a bid for a third time president campaign trip in early 1911 he made a whistle stop in Medora. He meet briefly with the Farris brothers and Bill Merrifield he told his three friends he would try to come back and see them later on that year. In the fall of 1911 Teddy contacted Joe Farris and told him he was coming for a few days visit, but it must be kept a secret because there were reports of someone trying to shot him. The report said that a New York Saloon owner, John Swank was following Roosevelt around looking for an opportunity to shot him. (Swank did actually shoot Roosevelt the following year in Milwaukee) During the "Secret Trip" in the fall of 1911 Teddy was not prepared to go hunting, but with help of his three friends they managed to put together enough gear to outfit Teddy for a few day of hunting. As far as the eldery man who told me this story Teddy Roosevelt never returned to the bad lands to hunt again.

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