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A large President Roosevelt holds a knife in his mouth, a pistol in his left hand, and a rifle in his right hand as he stares at a small “third term” bear in the “President Cane Brake.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-10
President Roosevelt holds a bear in his left hand and a rifle in his right with two lines of cartridges across his belt line. Caption: The Bear: “No wonder the corporations tremble!”
J. H. Donahey, into his own as an accomplished cartoonist and superb idea-man, forecast the result of President Roosevelt’s upcoming black bear hunt in central Louisiana. It would be a two-week hunt in the virtually inaccessible — especially to press and public — canebrakes, then a wide swath of land from Florida into Mississippi and Louisiana, dense with thorny vegetation and dangerous animals like snakes, panthers and many species of black bear.
President Roosevelt holds a rifle and looks at a “notice” that reads, “Bears Immunity Bath–Don’t Shoot Mr. President,” as he watches several bears dive into the water.
Cartoonist Claude Maybell of the Brooklyn Eagle combines the contemporary themes of President Roosevelt’s black-bear hunt in the Louisiana canebrakes and another string of current events — not a putative third term, as some cartoonists seized upon as a theme; not the “Nature Fakir” controversy then attracting attention.
A variety of men catch and paint “3rd term talk” on bears.
This cartoon by Ralph Wilder was another somewhat rare exception to the glut of cartoonists’ mundane treatment of President Roosevelt and the third term rumors that beset him after he foreswore the aspiration on election night, 1904. As Roosevelt was set to arrive in the Louisiana canebrakes for a two-week hunt after black bears, the cartoonist added that activity — the president harbored a near-obsession, as the prey had eluded him several years earlier — to the annoying third term talk.
President Roosevelt, with a rifle in his right hand, runs after a bear with a chain and a stake attached to it. Bears hiding in the canebrakes all say, “Saved.”
Joseph Harry Cunningham’s cartoon was rather snide, considering it appeared in the Republican Washington Herald, as it shows President Roosevelt, in odd hunting attire, chasing a black bear in the Louisiana canebrakes. As other bears — presumably free and wild — hide in the dense bamboo-like brakes, Roosevelt chases a bear who has broken loose of fetters. The reference is to a bear hunt in the same general area, but closer to, or in, Mississippi, earlier in his presidency. Roosevelt’s failure then to bag a bear, and refusal to shoot one that had been tied to a spike, led to the creation of the teddy bear at the hands of cartoonists and doll-makers.
A bear points at “evidence” tracks that President Roosevelt and a “guide” are following to find him. Caption: The Bear: Hold up, Mr. President. Don’t shoot till you hear my argument. You have tracked me here on my own evidence voluntarily given. Now don’t that entitle me to an immunity bath?
Jay N. “Ding” Darling’s cartoon, with President Roosevelt’s two-week black bear hunt in Louisiana about to begin, might seem to be a comment on the famous “Nature Fakir” controversy of the time. A talking bear pleading for mercy, as would a lawyer?
President Roosevelt greets Kermit Roosevelt after they both went hunting. The president carries two dead “war” dogs while Kermit holds a bear carcass.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-01
Two little bears look at a crying mama bear. Caption: Little Bear-rug—”Where’s papa gone to? Won’t we never see him any more?” Mrs. Widow Bear-rug—”Your father, children, has a prominent place in the white-house. We ought to feel very proud of him, and maybe maybe we’ll all go there some day, darlings.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-24
President Roosevelt carries several bear carcasses on his back as he walks up to the White House gates. A “treasury deficit” elephant greets him and says, “I, too, have been busy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-11
President Roosevelt, who is wearing snowshoes and holding a gun, looks up at a tree full of bears. Three other men rush up to meet him. Caption: “Hurry up, boys! I’ve got ’em treed.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-17
President Roosevelt carries “bear skins” on his shoulders as he looks at Secretary of War William H. Taft sitting on thee lid of a “presidential duties” pot. Caption: President Pro-Tem Taft—”I beg to report that the lid is still on.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-09
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit from his hunting trip in Louisiana to describe how he killed a bear. He also says the dogs killed a lynx. He has drawn pictures depicting the bear hunt and the dogs getting the lynx.
1907-10-17
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to describe his trip down the Mississippi River. He describes the history of the river and stops along the way to make speeches. Roosevelt ends by saying that he is going bear hunting.
1907-10-01
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit from his trip down the Mississippi River. Roosevelt discusses his views on hunting and describes his current bear hunt. He also comments on Rudyard Kipling’s Puck of Pook’s Hill.
1907-10-13
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit from Colorado to tell him about his successful hunting trip and a dog he wants to take home to Archie. He also says he has a touch of Cuban fever and cannot wait to get back to Mother. Roosevelt is sure that Kermit will enjoy his trip to Deadwood with Seth Bullock.
1905-05-02
President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit that he offered Edwin Arlington Robinson a position but Robinson refused. He has had great luck in hunting with Alexander Lambert and Philip Battell Stewart despite having a touch of Cuban fever. He has a dog to bring back to Archie and is feeling homesick. Roosevelt adds that he is amused by the cartoons about him and urges Kermit to go hear Jacob Riis speak. Kermit scribbled some math problems on the back of the envelope.
1905-05-07
Quentin Roosevelt writes to his mother to describe the journey to Gallup and his difficulties meeting up with his friend Ben who had gone on a trip to the Grand Canyon. Once Roosevelt meets up with Ben, they head to Kayenta, Arizona for the night. Roosevelt then discusses his whole plan for his time in the area and includes a hand drawn map of their travel route. Roosevelt is hoping for good bear hunting and fishing. He closes hoping his father is keeping quiet and that he wishes he knew Belle, Kermit Roosevelt’s fiance, better but hopes they like his choice of a gift.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1915-07-11
Quentin Roosevelt writes to his mother describing his adventures hunting and hiking in Colorado.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1915-08-18
President Roosevelt on horseback.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-08-22
President Roosevelt, holding rifle, while mounted on horse.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-04-22