Archibald Roosevelt: Childhood

Figure 1.-- This photograph of Archie shows him riding Algonquin on the White House grounds. What little boy or girl wouldn't have fallen in love with Algonquin. He wears a sailor suit. Both Archie and little brother Qyuentin often wore sailor suits. The photograph was takem in 1902 when he was about 7 years old. The impressive building in the background still exists. At the time it was the State Department.

Archie was the Roosevelt's fifth child and , unlike his older brothers and sisters was born in Washington, D.C. (1893). His father at the time was Civil Service Commissioner. His father became president when President McKinnely was shot (1901) and he soent the mext 7 years there. Thus he essentially grew up there and very much in public eye. The public loved to read about his and Quintin's antics. They were both very active, but better behaved than the Lincoln boys--modstly thanks to the First Lady. Archie, according to his father, the President, was very "warm-hearted" and "loving." He became a favorite of the White House reporters and was usually good for an interesring quote or story about life at the White House. He also befriended the police sentries at White House. A note survices in the President's handwriting to his teacher after the election of 1904. "Dear Miss Marshall, Can Archie be excused for Wednesday last, when he was suffering from 'too much election', and for yesterday, Monday, when in the hurry of bustling out of the White House he managed to forget his books. I am aware that the last seems rather a slender excuse, but Archie evidently hopes it may suffice--& I hope so too, even though I have doubts!" The White House was a great place to grow up. There was always something going on of interest. There was room for a small managerie, including ponies and badgers and many critters in between. The pony was Algonquin. The bsdger was Josiah, a real favorite. Badgers are known for being cudly pets, but Archie and Josiah got slong fine. There were also bicycles and tricycles to ride. The family like many others often left Washington during the summer. The Roosevelts headed for Sagamore Hill. There he and Quintin often played around thev house getting into mischief. On nice days he loved to sail in the Bay with his friends and Quintin. Their boat was named the "Why." He would have wonderful adventures with his faithful dog Skip. Archie was not as healthy as the other children. He was quite sick when he was 13 years old. The Family feared for his life.