Next to Thomas Jefferson, I find Theodore Roosevelt possibly the most interesting of our American historical figures...and, next to Jefferson, the one I would most like to set down and share a conversation with.

I just saw on the history channel a segment on Theodore Roosevelt the other nite... As you all are aware, he was an avid adventurer, hunter, and outdoorsman, and made many treks to Canada/Alaska, Africa, India, South America, as well as other places. He is also credited with discovering a river in South America which later bore his name... But, always realizeing that any trek into "rough country" where civilazation and help were many days, weeks, or even months away, and accidents or sickness was always a possiblilty, he always carried a lethal dose of morphine in his kit. He did this because he never wanted to become a burden to his fellows, or to die a lingering and slow death..... Thankfully, he never found the need to use it.

As long as we are on the subject of T.R., here is another little piece of trivia... It is common for people today to call T.R. "Teddy" Roosevelt... But the fact is, in his day, no one called him "Teddy"...at least not more than once, and not to his face. He detested the name "Teddy", and would let a person know right fast that his name was NOT "Teddy". It was Theodore, and he expected to be addressed as such............. After his death, from time to time, people writeing stories or wishing information about the man would show up at the home of his wife, and claim that they were old friends of "Teddy". His wife knew immediately that these people were liars, and would politely ask them to leave.

What figures in American history do you find most interesting, and would most like to set and have a conversation with?

Way cool.
Yeah, "Teddy" was the man. I really like to read his books, some of his are my favorites. I didn't know he didn't like to be called that though. I thought it was kinda a "pet name" from everyone to him and that it was cause the teddy bears were invented around that time. (I have NO idea though!! Throwing a question out there)
If I meet him in the hereafter..lol..I know what not to call him now.

That's cool that his wife was so keen too. That's pretty slick.

I don't really know what historical figure I would like to meet. If we could take politics out of it..I'd like to meet someone like Sitting Bull (then I could do a two-for and meet Buffalo Bill too ) or someone like that. That'd be more my speed.
Or, some "minds"...like Issac Newton, Einstein, etc etc.

But, Theodore Roosevelt, that's a given. He was always well spoken on the subject of outdoors and conservation. (Oh Oh!! Aldo Leopold!! Love to meet him in the hereafter!)

I think I'd just throw a party, and invite the whole lot.

Hands,

Iffin ya would settle fer mindless, Hemmy is available !!


Mongo,

You otta sometime make the time to visit TJ's crib over at Montecello ... truely amazing !!

I guess old Teddy would be neat to meet as well ... I hear he was a big fan of Airedales !!


99er

Tell you what, actually I really would like to visit Montecello, and for that matter, alot of places around your area. Many of the Civil War battlefields I've heard Uncle Buck talk of I'd like to see also... But, that is a pretty goodly distance from my home, here in Oklahoma...LOL ... A few summers ago my wife and I were out that way visiting some friends in Ohio, and traveled thru Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama before turning west and heading back home.... If I knew then what I know now, I would have dropped by and met several of you all.

Mongo,


I hear ya about traveling distance !! I did find this for ya ...

http://www.monticello.org/

Just click on the link and then select the Monticello Exlporer for the "virtual tours".

For me the grounds, gardens, ponds, barns, and the underground tunnels used for Air Conditioning were the most memorable things of my actual visits there.


99er

That's pretty neat... I saved the link to look it over further... Alot of interesting info there.... Thanks.

Without Theodore Roosevelt, Aldo Leopold, and Gifford Pinchot we wouldnt have much if any National parks, national forests, or wilderness areas. these guys understood that some land should be protected from development and left wild but not locked up and that public lands can be used for reacreation( hunting, fishing,hikeing,camping,ect.) and still be kept "wild".

Jamie

Totally agree.

Just thought of another figure I'd fancy to meet: Seth Bullock! (I only just learned of him though from the Deadwood tv series. He was an interesting sort.)
He helped clean up (in real life..lol..not referencing the show, although it's fiction based on actual characters, and has some similar truths) Deadwood, as the sheriff when they finally got law there. He helped form Yellowstone National Park. He also was a lifelong friend of Roosevelt. He eventually became a Captain in a part of Roosevelt's Rough Riders, and when Roosevelt was made vice-president, he made Bullock the first Forest supervisor of the Black Hills Reserve. And then later, Bullock was made US Marshall for South Dakota. And, when Roosevelt died, Bullock made a tribute monument (in Deadwood) for him. His grave faces it today.
Anyhow, he knew all sorts of interesting people (Wild Bill Hickock, Calamity Jane--both whom is buried in the same cemetary as--Al Swearagen, and was around when the west was becoming..I guess "lawful" is the word, and actually gave a hand in it. )
That's rather cool.

I didn't know that Hands... Very interesting... Thanks for posting that... I used to watch DEADWOOD, and found the Bullock character, and several others, most interesting...and for the most part all of those folks are based on actual people.