Teddy Roosevelt's "Deelightful" Visit to Texas in 1905

The purpose of The Compass Rose is to raise awareness of Special Collections' resources and to foster the use of these resources. The blog series also reports significant new programs, initiatives, and acquisitions of Special Collections. 

In April 1905, just one month after Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated as President of the United States for a second time, he made history in both Dallas and Fort Worth by becoming the first sitting president in U.S. history to visit the two cities. Roosevelt passed through and visited several towns and cities throughout Texas while on his way to and from a “Rough Rider” reunion in San Antonio. During his tour of Texas, he visited Denison, Sherman, Dallas, Hillsboro, Waco, Temple, Austin, San Marcos, New Braunfels, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, Vernon, and Texline. 

Despite being a Republican, Roosevelt was popular in Texas, although the state was staunchly Democratic at that time. “There was much admiration for President Roosevelt in Texas prior to this visit, and his coming seems to have set the whole state into a perfect blaze of patriotism” (“President Roosevelt,” 1905). The Texas Federation of Audubon Societies was among one of many groups to welcome President Roosevelt to Texas and recognized his dedication to protecting wild birds and animals. Prior to his visit they adopted a resolution that all “lovers of birds, wherever they may reside in the Lone Star State, shall offer to the President the most hearty welcome” (“Bird Protection,” 1905), 

Dallas 

Upon his arrival in Dallas, the President was said to be in “splendid spirits” after the long day of travel, and shortly before reaching Dallas said he “never felt better in his life.” He arrived by train to Dallas at 6:20 P.M. and was quickly greeted by reception committees. The President was then driven through the streets to a stand near the Oriental Hotel, where he made an address. An estimated 25-30,000 people were in attendance of the event; “the streets were crowded and the reception given to the President was enthusiastic” (“President Enters Texas,” 1905). When Mayor Bryan T. Barry of Dallas finished his introductory address, President Roosevelt began his speech: “Mr. Mayor and You, My Fellow Americans: It has been indeed a pleasure for me to come today within the limits of your mighty and beautiful state. This afternoon I have been passing through a veritable garden of the Lord, and it is only a few weeks since that I did my part in helping in the growth here, when I signed the bill under which the Trinity River will be improved. And I was mighty glad to do it, for I think that we Americans have learned the lesson that whatever is good for some of us is good for all” (Lewis, p. 591-592). Roosevelt struck a responsive chord with every Texan’s heart when he referred to the state as a “veritable garden of the Lord” during this particular speech. 

The day’s activities concluded with the President and his party attending a banquet given by the citizens of Dallas at the Oriental Hotel. UTA Special Collections holds an original copy of the dinner program for the event, housed in the A.C. Greene Collection. The details of the banquet were also printed in the Dallas Morning News on the day of his visit to Dallas, which included the seating arrangements, a list of attending guests, the menu, and details on the presentation of a gift to Roosevelt—a silver "Loving Cup” given on behalf of the citizens of Dallas. 

Fort Worth 

Roosevelt’s train arrived in Fort Worth a few days later, after stops in several other Texas towns, on April 8, 1905 at 9:45 A.M. Roosevelt spent a total of “seventy-five busy minutes” in Fort Worth. He was welcomed by reception committee members, then “hurried into a carriage to begin a two-mile ride up Main Street and down Houston Street, bowing and smiling to cheering thousands the entire route. At Carnegie Library he stopped long enough to plant an elm tree in the lawn and the parade was resumed. Reaching the speaker’s stand, which had been erected in the square facing the Texas & Pacific passenger station, the president stood bare-headed in the hot sun...He spoke for fifteen minutes, using his voice at its utmost power, and emphasizing his telling phrases with big swinging gestures...Next, he was hurried at a trot through a crowd of cheering people...until he reached his special train waiting on the tracks of the Fort Worth and Denver City railroad” (“President Ready,” 1905).

During his hour and fifteen-minute visit to Fort Worth, it was reported that the president was seen by about 30,000 people—20,000 of which were crowded into the square next to the Texas & Pacific passenger station to listen to him speak. “On the roof of the Texas & Pacific Freight Depot, in the windows, on box cars in the yards, in the buildings facing the square and at every place of vantage, crowds were packed too closely to move. Men climbed telephone poles and several boys climbed to the very top of the Al Hayne [Memorial] Monument” (“Fort Worth Gives,” 1905). 

In his address, Roosevelt praised the people of Texas: “I cannot begin to express to you how impressed I have been all during my four days’ trip through Texas with your material growth, not only with the view of material prosperity which assuredly looms before you, but with the character of your men and women, and with the steps that you are taking to educate the next generation so that they shall be citizens of benefit to Texas, of benefit to the entire United States” (Lewis, p. 608) He said a special greeting to the stockmen of Fort Worth, referring to them as the “representatives of the great industry in which I have always felt a peculiar interest” (Lewis, p. 609).  

In reporting about the President’s visit, the Telegram wrote: “There was a depth of sincerity about the Fort Worth tribute that went straight to the presidential heart, and the man was touched with a deeper feeling that he experienced anywhere else in all this broad state. A representative of the Associated Press in attendance upon the presidential party said that Fort Worth gave him the greatest ovation that he received since leaving Washington, and that is the way Fort Worth can always be depended upon to do things” (“The Daddy of ‘Em All,” 1905)... And while there was no banquet held for Roosevelt in Fort Worth (due to his tight touring schedule), he was “banquetted on the love and affection of a patriotic people, which must have been far more pleasing to the great heart of the man than any other tribute that could have been paid to presence and greatness” (“The Daddy of ‘Em All,” 1905). 

The Telegram also reported on an “incident” that occurred in the crowd while Roosevelt was speaking: “A cowboy stood on the curbing near Front and Main Streets while the president was making his address...He did not cheer while the president was talking, but stared straight at the speaker, trying his best to hear every word that was said. Someone noticing something strange about the man’s attitude looked closer and saw that tears were rolling down his cheeks. He looked so long that the cowboy became conscious of the gaze and, turning slowly, said, ‘I fit with him’” (“Incidents,” 1905). 

At the conclusion of both of his speeches delivered in Dallas and Fort Worth, he claimed he was leaving Texas as a “stronger and better” American: “I cannot sufficiently thank you for the way you have greeted me today. I am more touched by it than I can express, and I come to the soil of this state, hallowed by the great deeds of great men--I come knowing your people already and believing in them...I shall go away a stronger and a better American for having been in this mighty Commonwealth of Texas. I thank you” (Lewis, p. 592). 

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Sources

“Bird Protection.” Dallas Morning News, April 5, 1905.

“Fort Worth Gives Roosevelt Record-Breaking Reception.” Fort Worth Telegram, April 8, 1905. 

“Incidents of the President’s Visit.” Fort Worth Telegram, April 9, 1905. 

Lewis, Alfred Henry, ed. A Compilation of the Messages and Speeches of Theodore Roosevelt, 1901-1905. New York: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1906. 

“President Enters Texas: Big Crowds Cheer Him.” New York Tribune, April 6, 1905. 

“President Ready to Begin Hunt. Week's Tour of Southwest at an End and He is Now on Ranch in Territory.” Fort Worth Telegram, April 9, 1905.

“President Roosevelt.” Fort Worth Telegram, April 8, 1905. 

“The Daddy of ‘Em All.” Fort Worth Telegram, April 9, 1905.