Bully! TR's whistle stop in Corinth. Using an "ancient" railroad locomotive as a back-drop, our nation's 26th President launches into an animated campaign speech during a brief whistle stop in tiny Corinth, NY.
It has been many years since our nation had a President who could be described as "larger than life". Theodore Roosevelt (or "TR") was such a person. Although he lived only 60 years, "TR" grabbed life by the short hairs and lived it to its fullest. He was a scholar, an athlete, rancher, war hero, big game hunter, Governor of New York, Vice President and ultimately, President of the United States. He was a tough guy, too. His motto was "speak softly and carry a big stick" and he lived it. During the Spanish American War, he joined the service and helped form a military unit that became known as the "Rough Riders". He distinguished himself for bravery in the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba. When he later became President, his strong foreign policies kept other governments from questioning our national will. On one occasion, a would-be assassin actually shot him just before a campaign speech. TR dusted himself off, determined that he was not seriously hurt....and went on with the speech! TR even won a Noble Peace Prize in 1908. Long after his death, in 2001, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery on San Juan Hill....the only US President ever to be so honored. Yeah, there's a reason why his likeness is carved into the side of Mt. Rushmore.
The gentleman portraying TR in my photo is Mr. Joe Wiegand, who has become rather famous as a TR "repriser". Mr. Wiegand spent a weekend at the Saratoga & North Creek Railroad helping to commemorate TR's connection with the line. Back in 1901, it was at North Creek Station that TR learned of the death of then-President William McKinley, and his own ascension to the office of the Presidency.
