Mirror from Theodore Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch in North
Dakota. Wilmot S. Dow's grandson, John Dow, donated this
TR artifact along with two other precious, personal TR items to
the Presque Isle Historical Society. John Dow's father,
Wilmot E. Dow was a "Badland Baby". Wilmot E. Dow's father,
Wilmot S. Dow and William Wingate Sewall were Maine guides
who became lifelong friends with Theodore Roosevelt.
PWM photo
Update 1-27-2024
I first started researching Theodore Roosevelt in 2010. As a volunteer at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, overseeing the Narcissus project (Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914), I felt the need to learn more about Roosevelt's visit to Maine. That initial research piqued my curious nature to want to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt.
Twelve years later, that seed of curiosity has taken root and blossomed, into the development of what is the: Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail: Connecting Maine Communities. Insight throughout the State of Maine is what this trail provides by tracing and describing Theodore Roosevelt's connections with each of these communities.
Each community is identified with a star with a number or
a moose with a letter. The key to the logo landmarks is below.
Each moose represents a community that has an indirect
connection with Roosevelt, meaning he may not have paid the
community a visit, but there is a meaningful connection to
Roosevelt in that community. The stars indicate a community
that Roosevelt visited and probably engaged with the people
and or the local geography. As research continues, other
communities will be added to the logo.
Logo: "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Over the ensuing weeks, each of these
communities/landmarks with its Roosevelt
connections will have a separate page describing
details of TR's connections. Each will also
have a link(s) to local resources/venues.
Key by "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Today, we describe Moose E shown on the list (key) above - Presque Isle 1885
Theodore Roosevelt made several visits to Maine. Yes, there were times, when he was older, that those visits would have been made as necessitated by his politics. However, the majority of his visits were for personal gain. I speak of personal gain in the sense of his own personal health and well-being. We know Maine to be, "Vacationland, The Way Life Should Be". Maine has long been known as a place to "re-create", renew one's self, and contemplate one's purpose or direction. Whether being near the ebb and flow of the mesmerizing coastline or taking in its breathtaking vistas along so many beautiful rivers and mountains, this great state of Maine has drawn many a soul in seeking fresh air and perhaps inner guidance to a fresh start.
TR, late in his sophomore year at Harvard, ca 1878 May
His first visit to Island Falls, Maine was in September 1878
TRC 520.12-003, Houghton Library, Harvard University
TR was an undergraduate student at Harvard University in 1878 when he visited Island Falls, Maine in Aroostook County. TR was still grieving the death of his father when he first was with Maine guides William Sewall and Sewall's nephew, Wilmot S. Dow that late summer of 1878. TR would return in February 1879 and once more in August 1879. TR recalls these visits to Maine in a letter he wrote on March 20, 1918, titled, "My Debt To Maine" by Col. Theodore Roosevelt - The opening paragraph states, "I owe a personal debt to Maine because of my association with certain staunch friends in Aroostook County; an association that helped and benefitted me throughout my life in more ways than one."
These comments have been culled from two books:
Maine My State, 1919, Written by Maine Writers Research Club
Becoming Teddy Roosevelt: How a Maine Guide Inspired America's 26th President, 2010, by Andrew Vietze
William Windgate Sewall (with an ax) and Wilmot S. Dow
(with rifle) at camp on Pratt Cove, Mattawamkeag Lake,
Island Falls, Maine. The file is dated circa 1921, however,
Wilmot died in 1891 (35 years old). So, this image is pre-1891.
TRC 560.12-053 Houghton Library, Harvard University
Theodore Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch was built from scratch
by William Sewall and his nephew Wilmot Dow in 1884/85
in the Dakota territory in the Medora area. Wilmot would
travel back to Maine in the later spring of 1885, married
his wife Lizzie, and returned to the Dakotas with his
aunt Mary Sewall and his 3-year-old niece, Kittie.
The Sewalls, Dows, and Theodore Roosevelt all lived
In the Elkhorn Ranch house.
In 1886, Mrs. Dow and Mrs. Sewall both gave birth
to children that would be known as the "badland babies."
Photo by Theodore Roosevelt in the collection of
Houghton Library, Harvard University 560.14-001d
In the Dakotas (partial photo is missing Sewall).
See full photo at TRC 520.14-005
Houghton Library, Harvard University
Then it's Mrs. Dow with two neighbors next to her near
the Elkhorn Ranch. TRC 560.14-095a
Houghton Library, Harvard University
In the lower right - the Colt is a long-barreled, 40-caliber
revolver, used by Theodore Roosevelt. Wilmot S. Dow's
grandson, John Dow, donated this TR artifact to the
PWM photo
In the lower left is the large, leather moose call used by
Theodore Roosevelt. Wilmot S. Dow's grandson, John Dow,
donated this TR artifact to the Presque Isle Historical Society.
PWM photo
Presque Isle Historical Society celebrates Roosevelt's birthday every year (October 27) by displaying their
Roosevelt collection for public viewing at the Maysville Museum, 165 Caribou Road, Presque Isle, Maine, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on that day. FMI, contact the Society at 207-762-1151 or email at pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com.
Dow Genealogy courtesy of Presque Isle Historical Society:
The two Maine Guides who worked with Roosevelt and became lifelong friends were William Sewall and his nephew Wilmot Dow.
William Wingate Sewall had a sister, Pauline
Pauline Wentworth Sewall married Oliver Smith Dow on April 18, 1853
- had five children, including Wilmot S. Dow (he was Sewall's nephew)
Wilmot S. Dow and his wife Lizzie
- Wilmot E. Dow, b. 08/12/1886 (Badland Baby)
- married Katherine Stevens in Presque Isle
- owned a drug store in Presque Isle
- had three daughters and two sons, Wilmot S. Dow and John A. Dow, b. 1917
It was John Dow, who lived and worked in Presque Isle and served as a chair of the Chamber (of Commerce), who left the Historical Society the three artifacts.
A portion of my collection of TR-related books :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!
Click Here: Donation Options
The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
the Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
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