USA > New York > Long Island historic homes, ancient and modern : including a history of their founders and builders > Part 4
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"Soon after dark, General Wheeler, who in the afternoon had resumed command of the cavalry division, came to the front. A very few words with General Wheeler reassured us about retiring. He had been through too much heavy fighting in the Civil War to regard the present fight as very serious, and he told us not to be under any apprehension, for he had sent word that there was no need whatever of retiring, and was sure we would stay where we were until the chance came to advance. He was second in command, and to him more than to any other one man was due the prompt abandonment of the proposal to fall back-a proposal which if adopted, would have meant shame and disaster. Shortly afterwards General Wheeler sent us orders to intrench. * * We finished dig- ging the trench soon after midnight, and then the worn-out men laid down in rows on their rifles and dropped heavily to sleep. * * Before anyone had time to awake from the cold, however, we were all awakened by the Spaniards, whose skirmishers suddenly opened fire on us. *
: * At the alarm everybody jumped to his feet, and the stiff, shivering, haggard men, their eyes only half-opened, all clutched their rifles and ran forward to the trench on the crest of the hill.
" The sputtering shots died away and we went to sleep again. But in another hour dawn broke and the Spaniards opened fire in good earnest. * In this fight our regiment had numbered 490 men, as in addition to the killed and wounded of the first fight, some had to go to the hospital for sickness and some had been left behind with the baggage, or were detailed on other duty. Eighty-nine were killed and wounded, the heaviest loss suffered by any regiment in the cavalry division. The Spaniards made a stiff fight, standing firm until we charged home. They fought much more stubbornly than
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at Las Guasimas. We ought to have expected this, for they have al- ways done well in holding intrenchments. On this day they showed themselves to be brave foes worthy of honor for their gallantry.
" In the attack on the San Juan hills our forces numbered about 6,600. There were about 4,500 Spaniards against us. Our total loss in killed and wounded was 1,071. Of the cavalry division there were, all told, some 2,300 officers and men, of whom 375 were killed and wounded. In the division, over a fourth of the officers were killed or wounded, their loss being relatively half as great again as that of the enlisted men-which was as it should be.
"I think we suffered more heavily than the Spaniards did in killed and wounded (though we also captured some scores of prison- ers). It would have been very extraordinary if the reverse was the case, for we did the charging; and to carry carthworks on foot with dismounted cavalry, when the earthworks are held by unbroken in- fantry armed with the best modern rifles, is a serious task."
The city surrendered on the 17th of July, and soon after this the men being relieved from the constant strain and excitement began to feel the effects of the climate. Col. Roosevelt says: "Every officer other than myself except one was down with sickness at one time or another. Very few of the men, indeed, retained their strength and energy, and though the percentage actually on the sick list never got over twenty, there were less than fifty per cent. who were fit for any kind of work.
"Yellow fever also broke out in the rear, chiefly among the Cubans. It never became epidemic, but it caused a perfect panic among some of our own doctors and especially in the minds of one or two generals and of the home authorities. * × The Wash- ington authorities seemed determined that we should stay in Cuba.
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They unfortunately knew nothing of the country nor the circum- stances of the army. Several suggestions were made, and among others it was proposed that we should go up the mountains and make our camps there. × * The soil along the sides of the moun- tain was deep and soft, while the rains were very heavy. We could, with much difficulty, have got our regiments up the mountains, but not half the men could have got up there with their belongings; and once there it would have been an impossibility to feed them. * About the last of July General Shafter called a conference in the palace, of all the division and brigade commanders.
* It was deemed best to make some record of our opinion in the shape of a letter or report which would show that to keep the army in Santiago meant its absolute and objectless ruin, and that it should at once be recalled. At first there was naturally some hesitation on the part of the regular officers to take the initiative, for their entire future career might be sacrificed, so I wrote a letter to General Shafter, reading over the rough draft to the various Generals and adopting their corrections. Before I had finished making these corrections it was determined that we should send a circular letter on behalf of all of us to General Shafter, and when I returned from presenting him mine, I found this circular letter already prepared and we all of us signed it. Both let- ters were made public. The result was immediate. Within three days the army was ordered to be ready to sail for home." This letter was known as the famous "Round Robin."
Col. Roosevelt with his Rough Riders were encamped at Mon- tauk Point, Long Island, and in the following autumn, peace having been formally declared, he bid farewell to his men, every one of whom was devoted to him, and returned to his home at Oyster Bay.
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On Sept. 27, 1898, Col. Roosevelt was nominated for Governor of New York State. He conducted his own campaign, visiting every important town in the State. His brilliant military record gave him great prestige, and he was enthusiastically received wherever he went. He carried the State by a plurality of 18,079. As Governor he en- couraged honest legislation and carried through every reform measure to which he had pledged himself. He carefully scrutinized every bill and withheld his signature from all that had the least taint of ir- regularity, regardless of party obligations. No man ever had a more difficult task to carry forward the work of reform which he had planned than did Governor Roosevelt at this time. The political pressure brought to bear on him by the leading men in his own party was very great, but he remained firm and true to his own convictions even at the risk of losing the influence of those on whom he relied for support. Above all, he put in office as high-minded and able a set of public officials as the State has ever had since its foundation. It was his wish to be elected for a second term that he might complete the work he had begun, but circumstances be- yond his control and that of his friends changed all his future plans.
Governor Roosevelt was a delegate to the Republican Conven- tion held at Philadelphia in the summer of 1900. The re-nomin- ation of President Mckinley was a foregone conclusion. Two or three candidates were brought forward for the vice-presidency, but from the very beginning a pressure was brought to bear by those who sought to defeat his aspirations for a second term as Governor to force on him the nomination for Vice-President. They failed, however, to accomplish their object, and Governor Roosevelt com- pelled the New York delegation to definitely abandon its efforts to put him forward, and at the same time he introduced the name of
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Lieut. Governor Woodruff, hoping thereby to secure his nomination, but the veterans simply refused to consider any other candidate and insisted on the Governor's nomination in order to save the electoral votes of half a dozen western states and thereby assure a majority in Congress. Under these circumstances Governor Roosevelt felt that he was in duty bound to accept and he was nominated for Vice- President amid the greatest excitement and enthusiasm, the East and West, the North and South rallying around him and pledging their earnest support.
The presidential campaign of 1900 was the most remarkable of any ever held in this country and from the beginning to the end Governor Roosevelt fought the battle almost single-handed and alone. He represented honest money, honest principles and a defence of Pres- ident Mckinley's administration; while his opponent, William J. Bryan, clung to his "16 to 1" silver policy on which he had been defeated four years previous, and opposed the "expansion" policy of the administration. Colonel Roosevelt traveled from one end of the country to the other, even invading the home territory of his opponent, speaking several times a day from the train platform, in the open air on improvised platforms, and in public halls, and wher- ever the people could gather to hear him. With one or two excep- tions he met with a hearty reception wherever he went-even in the "enemy's country". The result was one of the grandest victories ever achieved by the Republican party, and Governor Roosevelt was duly inaugurated Vice-President of the United States on the 4th of March, 1901. In his inaugural address he said :
"The history of free government is in large part the history of those representing legislative bodies in which, from the earliest times, free government has found its loftiest expression. They must
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ever hold a peculiar and exalted position in the record which tells how the great nations of the world have endeavored to achieve and preserve orderly freedom.
"No man can render to his fellows greater service than is ren- dered by him who with fearlessness and honesty, with sanity and disinterestedness, does his life work as a member of such a body. Especially is this the case when the Legislature in which the service is rendered, is a vital part in the governmental machinery of one of those world-powers to whose hands, in the course of the ages, is entrusted a leading part in shaping the destinies of mankind.
"For weal or for woe, for good or for evil, this is true of our own mighty nation. Great privileges and great powers are ours, and heavy are the responsibilities that go with these privileges and these powers. Accordingly as we do well or ill, so shall mankind in the future be raised or cast down.
"We belong to a young nation, already of giant strength, yet whose present strength is but a forecast of the power that is to come. We stand supreme in a continent, in a hemisphere. East and West we look across the two great oceans toward the larger world-life in which, whether we will or not, we must take an ever increasing share.
"And as keen-eyed, we gaze into the coming years, duties new and old rise thick and fast to confront us from within and from without. There is every reason why we should face these duties with a sober appreciation alike of their importance and of their difficulty. But there is also every reason for facing them with high hearted resolution and eager and confident faith in our capacity to do them aright.
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"A great work lies ready to the hand of this generation; it should count itself happy indeed, that to it is given the privilege of doing such a work. A leading part therein must be taken by this, the august and powerful legislative body over which I have been called to preside. Most deeply I appreciate the privilege of my position, for high indeed is the honor of presiding over the American Senate at the outset of the twentieth century."
On Friday, Sept. 6, the startling news was flashed over the wire that President Mckinley, while visiting the Pan-American Exposition, had been shot by a Polish anarchist named Czolgosz. Vice-Presi- dent Roosevelt hastened to Buffalo as quickly as possible, reaching there the following day. He was completely overwhelmed by the news, but on arriving at the house of Mr. Milburn, where the Presi- dent had been taken (and where he had been stopping with his family for some days previous), he was overjoyed to learn from the attending surgeons that the wound was not necessarily fatal and that there were hopes of his recovery. He remained in Buffalo for a few days until the danger point was passed and the President continued to improve from day to day. He then joined his family in the Adirondacks. Soon after this a change for the worse took place in the President and as soon as it was found that death was inevitable, messengers were sent to the Vice-President who traveled day and night reaching Buffalo some hours after the President's death. He was driven at once to the house of his friend, Mr. Ansley Wilcox. As soon as he entered Mr. Roosevelt was told that it had been planned for him to take the oath of office at once. This agreement had been reached at the meeting of the Cabinet held during the forenoon at the Milburn residence. The new President refused to recognize it as an agreement. He declared he was not ready to
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take the oath vet. He was here more for the purpose of paying his respects to William McKinley than of qualifying as William Mckinley's successor.
" But Mr. President," he was expostulated with, "everything is in readiness. Don't you think it would be far better to do as the Cab- binet has decided?"
"No," retorted the President, "it would be far worse. I intend to pay my respects at William Mckinley's bier as a private citizen and offer my condolence to the members of the family as such. Then I will return and take the oath."
In face of such an emphatic stand by the new Chief Executive all arguments availed nothing and President Roosevelt had his own way. He left the Milburn house about half past two o'clock and entered his carriage alone. When he found that he was being es- corted by a squad of mounted policemen he stood up and shouted: "Get back! I want no escort. I will have no escort. I am now on a mission as a private citizen."
He then drove swiftly to the Milburn house and after paying his respects to the dead President returned to the Wilcox house to take the oath, reaching there shortly after three o'clock. All the mem- bers of the Cabinet and a number of others were assembled there. Among these was Judge Hazel, who was to administer the oath."
" President Roosevelt," said Mr. Root, "I have been requested by all the members of the Cabinet of the late President who are here in the city of Buffalo, being all except two, to request that for reasons of weight affecting the administration of the government, you should proceed without delay to take the constitutional oath of office."
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A silence fell upon the group. It lasted but a minute and then Mr. Roosevelt spoke:
"Mr. Secretary," he said, "I shall take the oath at once, agree- able to the request of the members of the Cabinet, and in this hour of trouble and national bereavement I wish to state that it shall be my aim to continue absolutely unbroken the policy of President Mckinley, for the peace and prosperity and honor of our beloved country."
He then took the oath and Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt became the twenty-sixth President of the United States.
It is difficult to conceive how anyone so thoroughly absorbed in public affairs could find time to devote to literary work, and yet Col. Roosevelt has achieved a world-wide reputation as an author and his works have become standard on the subjects he has treated. Among the best known works are: "History of the Naval War of 1812" (New York, 1882); "Hunting Trips of a Ranchman" (1883). As a biographer he has won fame as the author of the "Life of Thomas Benton" (1886); "Life of Gouverneur Morris" (1888), in the American Statesmen series. He has also published " History of the City of New York" (1890); "Essays on Practical Politics" (1898); and has collaborated with Capt. A. S. Mahan in writing the "Imperial History of the British Navy"; he is also joint author with Henry Cabot Lodge of "Hero Tales from American History". The most important of his works, however, are the four volumes bearing the collective title, "The Winning of the West". These have for their subject the acquisition by the United States of the territory west of the Alleghanies, and in their intrinsic merit and their importance as contributions to history they rank with the works of Parkman. His books have been characterized as "marked by felicity, vigor and clearness of expression with descriptive power";
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his historical writings have been further praised for their "accuracy, breadth and fairness." "The Rough Riders" (1899) is a volume which will keep its place among the authoritative records of the Spanish War. "It will generally be conceded," says a reviewer, "that it forms one of the most thrilling pieces of military history in recent years."
To attempt a character shetch of Col. Roosevelt is a most diffi- cult undertaking. He can only be judged by his acts. The motive is always apparent for he is incapable of duplicity. His utterance. both public and private are clear, distinct and unequivocal. Whether his opinions are right or wrong they are honestly held and are stated with simplicity and directness. He is emphatically a man of action, and his writings deal with matters of observation rather than thought; he is no theorist, but intensely practical. With determination and undaunted courage he combines tenacity of purpose. If he ever ex- perienced the sensation of fear it is known only to himself. He has the instinct of a soldier, and in emergencies does not stop to consider whether or not the odds are against him, but acts with decision and accepts the consequences. Hc is as generous as he is brave; bears no malice; and after inflicting punishment on an adversary he would instantly seek to alleviate the pain he has caused. With the heart of a lion in danger, he is moved to pity at the sight of suffering, and without a moment's hesitation would befriend a fallen adversary. His qualities and achievements have made him a popular hero, and in a democratic society like ours there is no distinction which he may not hope to attain.
Colonel Roosevelt married, Ist, Miss Alice Hathaway Lee; 2d, Miss Edith Kermit Caron.
Their children are Alice, Theodore, Jr., Kermit, Ethel, Archi- bald, Quintin.
THE KING MANOR HOUSE AT JAMAICA. THE HOME OF HON. RUFUS KING AND HIS SON, GOVERNOR JOHN ALSOP KING.
THE Old King Manor at Jamaica, L. I., is the only one of the homes of famous men of Long Island that has become public property, and this is due to a few enterprising citizens of Jamaica who, cherishing the memory of its former occupants, determined on its preservation.
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The history of the King family at Jamaica, beginning with that of Hon. Rufus King, is limited to less than a century, but the alli- ance with the Alsop and other well known old Long Island families takes it back another century to the early settlement of this part of the Island.
The Old Manor House stands in the main thoroughfare, but a short distance from the Town Hall and other public buildings, and is near the center of a five or six acre plot which forms a part of the original farm purchased in 1805 from the estate of Christopher Smith. Mr. Alsop held a mortgage on the property and he, through his close relationship by marriage, probably induced Mr. King to purchase the place. Its close proximity to an Episcopal church and the village postoffice also influenced him in making this his home.
The house was built about 1750 and is one of the best preserved of the many old Long Island landmarks. Mr. King made some im- provements in the house, but no radical changes. The gambrel roof and other external features are of the same style common in New England a century and a half ago. But few changes have been made in the interior arrangements. In the kitchen is the old-time fire- place and bake oven. In one of the large rooms, on the east side, a large size medallion portrait of Governor John Alsop King is set into the wall above the fireplace. This was used as a dining room and is a spacious, well lighted apartment. The library, with its mas- sive oak bookcases, remains in the same condition as when used by Hon. Rufus King and Governor Alsop King.
Many of the trees surrounding the place were set out by Hon. Rufus King. The pine and fir trees which he planted were sent to him by Mr. Scheaffe, of Portsmouth, N. H., and are said to have been
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among the first of these ornamental trees planted in this section of Long Island.
After the death of her parents, Miss Cornelia King, the young- est daughter, continued to occupy the old manor until her death in 1896, and this was the gathering place for all the members of the family. She was a woman of rare Christian graces and constantly engaged in works of benevolence and charity. She was greatly missed in the church and community where she had so long resided.
The people of Jamaica were greatly attached to the old place which had so long been identified with the King family, and after Miss King's death a few enterprising people of Jamaica set on foot a movement to induce the Town of Jamaica to purchase the property, and it then became a public place of resort. When the boundaries of Greater New York were laid out it included Queens County ( now Nassau County), and all public property passed into the hands of the new corporation. In 1900 an association was formed, known as the King's Manor Association, for the preservation and care of this prop- erty, and it is now used for the collection of historical relics of Long Island. The grounds are used as a public park and it has be- come a place of resort for people from all parts of the country who venerate the name of its former occupants.
THE KING AND ALLIED FAMILIES.
LINE OF HON. RUFUS KING, OF LONG ISLAND, AND HIS DESCENDANTS.
The King family of England is an ancient and honorable one, but so numerous as to render it difficult if not impossible to ascer- tain whether they had originally a common ancestry. They are connected by marriage with the nobility of almost every county in England. The ancestors of Hon. Rufus King were of County Kent, England, and had long been seated there. The Coat of Arms borne by this branch of the family is described as:
Arms-Sable a lion rampant guardant ermine, between three crosses pattee, fitchee at the foot or.
Crest-A lion's gamb, erect and erased sable holding a cross pattee fitchee or.
Motto-Rectus et Duavita [Rightly and gently].
Richard King, as stated by Charles R. King, M. D., was the founder of the family of Rufus King and his numerous descendants. He was the son of John King, who came from County Kent, Eng- land, about 1700, and settled in Boston. Of his early life little is known. That he was liberally educated and a man of great intel- lectual attainments is shown by his public record and the positions he held. He settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1740, and was there associated with Ebenezer Thornton, one of the principal merchants of Boston, extensively engaged in the timber business. Mr. King, ' in the spring of 1745, was appointed by Governor Shirley, Commis-
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sary of Subsistence with the rank of Captain, in the expedition against Cape Breton. He sailed with the expedition for Louisburg and was present at the capture of that fortress. On his return from that expedition he sold his properties at Watertown and removed permanently to Scarborough, Maine, where he died March 17, 1775. The remainder of his life was spent in agricultural and mercantile pursuits. He became the owner of nearly three thousand acres of land, divided into several valuable farms, and was for many years one of the largest exporters of lumber in the district of Maine. Fre- quent reference of his operations and his public life is made in the Maine Historical Collections. Vol. III, page 213, states that " The result of his efforts evinces great energy and industry; he was also a man of inestimable worth of character. Although the character of his estates and his mercantile business required almost all his time, he was enabled, by good management, to serve the public long and faithfully as a Justice and in many other capacities, and also to en- rich a mind of superior natural endowments by a judicious course of reading. His talents were such as in another sphere of labor would have secured to him an honorable position amongst the intellectual men of his day. In public life he was honored and esteemed; in private life he was loved. It has been remarked by those who knew him that one of the most marked of his characteristics was his love for children. This often constrained him to keep older persons in waiting while he went to serve the children. To all these good qualities were added the graces of a Christian life, so that we know not how his whole character can be more faithfully described than by styling him a Christian gentleman." He was twice married. His first wife was Isabella Bragdon, whom he married Nov. 20, 1753. He married second, Mary, a cousin of his first wife, daugh-
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