Teddy Roosevelt: Just passing through (Chariton)

Former President Theodore Roosevelt, then 53 and as feisty as ever, was headed through Iowa to Nebraska during mid-April 1912 to campaign in that state's primary as he sought his third endorsement as Republican candidate for the nation's highest office.

Roosevelt had served two terms in the White House, 1901-1909, before handing the reins over --- with his blessing --- to William Howard Taft. Taft, however, had disappointed and Roosevelt decided, as the 1912 campaign neared, to launch a challenge and seek a third term himself.

The world passed through Chariton in those long-ago days --- and on April 16, 1912, it brought with it Mr. Roosevelt, an event reported upon as follows in The Herald-Patriot of April 18:

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Ex-President Roosevelt passed through Chariton Tuesday evening on No. 9, on his way to campaign in Nebraska, where the primaries are to be held tomorrow. This is the first time Roosevelt has ever been in Chariton, and word was passed around town and through the country before the train arrived, with the result that 2,500 to 3,000 people gathered at the depot to see him, with the hope that he would speak.

His party was in a private car on the rear of the train, and the redoubtable Teddy appeared on the rear platform, in old-time form, with his voice a little husky from overuse, but with his old-time vim and enthusiasm. He spoke a few words, telling of his aims, and saying the reason he wanted the presidency again is because he wants to see advocated certain policies bringing the government closer to the people, which policies he does not think are now being advocated by those at the head of the nation.

He wished for a presidential primary in Iowa, and it is likely that if one were to be held in Iowa, Roosevelt would carry it, in spite of the way he has come out for the presidency for a third term, and in spite of the many enemies he has made, for he has a marvelous hold on the people yet.

No matter how this campaign goes, Roosevelt will have a very high place in history because the small things are forgotten by historians. And it was right and proper that Chariton should present an immense audience to do honor to the man who was for years the most noted figure in the governments of the world, and who stands unique as a political character in present-day history.

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Roosevelt went on to win the Nebraska primary --- and many others. But for a whole range of reasons, Taft was re-nominated by the Republicans. That led Roosevelt to launch his run as a third-party candidate under the banner of the Progressive (Bull Moose) Party. And in large part because of that, the Republican vote was split and the presidential prize went to Democrat Woodrow Wilson.

The former president had six more years to live after that loss --- passing in his sleep on Jan. 6, 1919, of a blood clot, a mere 60, after a lifetime that had been at times too strenuous for the mortal frame he had been gifted with.