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Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed William Sheffield Cowles’s letters and was interested to hear about his electrical and mechanical experiments. The hunting has gone well and Kermit Roosevelt is a better hunter then his father. Roosevelt has written to Cowles’s mother, Anna Roosevelt Cowles.
1910-03-19
The people of Nairobi remind Theodore Roosevelt of Rudyard Kipling’s stories, but locals do not appreciate the comparison. Kermit Roosevelt has been a great comfort and Roosevelt is very proud of him. Kermit has been taking part in race week but always on poor horses. Roosevelt describes some of the local people, including the “warlike Masai” and women “painted with vermillion and ochre.” He was glad to hear that the family was enjoying the European trip and does not want Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt to “economize in foolish ways.”
1909-08-01
Theodore Roosevelt never told Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that he was not homesick. In fact, he is growing steadily more homesick. He does not want Edith to needlessly economize as his expenses have been less than expected. Roosevelt has been pleased with Ethel Roosevelt’s relationship with her brothers and Aunt Emily Tyler Carow. He also approves of the books she has been reading and wishes he could read them himself.
1909-08-24
Theodore Roosevelt describes his current camp in the “African wilderness” which has been made less comfortable due to early rains. With the help of several African attendants, he has been hunting eland and oryx. Everyone has been behaving excellently and are “amply supplied with meat.” Roosevelt keeps a photograph of Ethel Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on his table.
1909-09-02
Theodore Roosevelt and Kermit Roosevelt have been enjoying a four day hunt by themselves. Kermit seems older and “more developed in character.” Yesterday, Kermit rode fifteen miles to meet with a local African leader and brought back a keg of honey. Tomorrow Kermit and Roosevelt will part ways for a month. It has been difficult to find food for the “huge safari” and Roosevelt is concerned about some of his mail being lost due to the distances involved.
1909-09-20
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Ethel Roosevelt on her letters. He is looking forward to seeing Ethel and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt in Europe. Roosevelt is considering altering his schedule as he has his heart set on revisiting the sites of his honeymoon with Edith. He will be spending the next week with Lord and Lady Delamere. Kermit Roosevelt is currently hunting bongo and Roosevelt has a colobus monkey specimen and elephant teeth for Edith, which will be discarded if she feels “woebegone about them.” Several “hounds” have become attached to Roosevelt after he petted them.
1909-12-03
President Roosevelt is pleased with the results of the convention and with how Henry Cabot Lodge performed; however, he is already looking forward to his trip to Africa once he leaves office. Consistent with his approach to life in general, Roosevelt does not want to simply go along for the ride. Rather, he wants it to be a scientific trip. His sons are back in Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt Jr. is happy to be out of school and working.
1908-06-22
Theodore Roosevelt writes Anna Roosevelt Cowles to update her on the success of his hunt. He and Kermit Roosevelt are very comfortable and enjoying themselves completely. They are finding Africa to be extremely agreeable.
1909-05-19
Theodore and Kermit Roosevelt are comfortable and in fine health. Roosevelt believes Kermit is a bit too daring, but Kermit’s marksmanship is improving, and they are enjoying great success. Roosevelt states that he has sent six chapters of his book to Scribner’s, but he has not looked at a newspaper since he left home.
1909-06-21
Theodore and Kermit Roosevelt have returned to Nairobi to rest after their latest expedition. Kermit hopes to ride in the horse races before they head north next week. Theodore has sent eight articles to Charles Scribner’s Sons and will write several more this trip.
1909-07-27
Theodore Roosevelt is on an extended trip in the upper Nile region with his son Kermit Roosevelt. He describes the native people, a variety of wildlife, and the big game and birds they are hunting on safari. Kermit’s health is excellent and Roosevelt is pleased at the quality of his own health during their nine-month excursion in Africa. Recently he received a telegram notifying him that Gifford Pinchot had been dismissed as head of the United States Forest Service, which Roosevelt found surprising. He looks forward to seeing his wife Edith Roosevelt.
1910-01-21
President Roosevelt’s diary, dated January 1 to June 10, 1910, records details of the animals he and his son, Kermit Roosevelt, killed during their African safari. The diary includes sketches of the animals, with dots marking where they were shot; places Roosevelt and Kermit visited; and meetings with European dignitaries.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
1910
Photograph of Theodore Roosevelt and his African safari guides, R. J. Cuninghame and Leslie J. Tarlton, posing with a dead bull elephant. Cuninghame stands on top, Roosevelt and Tarlton in front.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
1909
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his friend Seth Bullock about son Kermit’s performance on their African safari. Kermit does not shoot very well, but he has no fear and has killed a charging leopard, giraffe, hyena and wildebeest. Roosevelt would like to meet Bullock and his wife in London next May if possible.
1909-05-17
Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit that he finally got his elephant bull and will leave on a short safari on his own following Kermit’s trail. R. J. Cuninghame will take Kermit to try and get an elephant but he can try for one before that with Leslie J. Tarlton. Item includes a typed transcription of the letter.
1909-08-21
Theodore Roosevelt writes his daughter Ethel from his African safari to say everything is going well. Kermit is a constant source of worry because he does not his own limitations. Roosevelt enjoys his pigskin library.
1909-06-24
Theodore Roosevelt writes his daughter Ethel that he just received his letters and is so glad she is getting on with Aunt Emily Tyler Carow and he enjoyed Ethel’s description of Archie Roosevelt. He says Ted Roosevelt’s letter was what one would expect from someone his age. He inquires as to whether Harvard swept all three races and says it has been an wonderful trip.
1909-09-03
Theodore Roosevelt writes his daughter Ethel to say he enjoys her letters and it seems she is getting everything out of her European trip that she ought to. He says he feels bad that he must take first shot at all big game because it is of greater value to the museum for him to get the animal rather than Kermit Roosevelt. Roosevelt says he has grown attached to his companions and native attendants on the safari. He adds that he is in “wonderful country.”
1909-09-26
Theodore Roosevelt describes his safari to his daughter Ethel. He praises Kermit Roosevelt’s skills but says he is still too reckless. Roosevelt has become very attached to Edmund Heller, R. J. Cuninghame, and Leslie J. Tarlton. The porters amuse him as well. Roosevelt has read almost all the books in his pigskin library.
1909-11-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes his wife Edith from his African safari to say he dreamed he was with her and reminisces about their relationship. He describes the place they are camped and the animals they have gotten. He hopes Edith liked the articles he wrote for Scribner’s and adds he and Kermit are attached to their attendants.
1909-11-12