Elliott Roosevelt-Great Horseman?
In 1939, people attending the parade launching the new
circus season got an extra thrill when Elliott Roosevelt
appeared on horseback—though he did not stay on the
horse long.
Elliott Roosevelt, son of President Roosevelt, was the honorary
ringmaster for the Gainesville Community Circus in 1939. As ringmaster,
Roosevelt led the homecoming parade down California street. Written
accounts indicate that during the parade, "Elliott Roosevelt was unhorsed
but quickly remounted, apparently unshaken by the experience. He had
raised his ten-gallon hat to wave to friends, when the horse shied, causing
him to lose his balance and slap the animal with his hat. The animal then
bucked him off." Tom Hickman, a native of Cooke County and a Texas
Ranger, witnessed the incident and commented that Roosevelt made one of
the best recoveries after the horse threw him, that he had ever seen.
The Gainesville Daily Register reported that "in the circus arena,
Roosevelt made appropriate remarks as he was presented a gold whistle,
suitably engraved, by Roy Stamps, president of the circus, who conferred
upon him an honorary ringmastership." Roosevelt "blew a shrill blast and
the first performance of the 10th season was on." While all of that activity
was taking place, "two newsreel cameramen and half a dozen news service
photographers were busy throughout the performance snapping pictures.
Following the circus performance, the Roosevelts were entertained
locally and hundreds of people attended a Little Theater program while
others gravitated toward the midway attractions. Elliott Roosevelt later
became known as the author of mystery books featuring his mother as
detective.
Morton Museum of Cooke County