Father [Edward J.] Vattmann was Teddy's friend [editorial]
- Publication
- Wilmette Life, 27 Jun 1974, p. 38
Description
- Creator
- Kay Schultz
- Media Type
- Newspaper
- Item Types
- Articles
- Photographs
- Notes
- Teddy [Theodore] Roosevelt visited Wilmette several times, disembarking at that the now preserved Wilmette train depot. Esther A. Hoffman, a life-long resident of the village, related some of her memories about Roosevelt's visit. Miss Hoffman was a child then but remembers vividly those visits by the late President.
The visits to Wilmette were to see the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Vattmann who lived at 1733 Lake Av. Father Vattmann had met the then Col. Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War. He served in several Indian campaigns as a chaplain and was sent to the Philippines in 1903. In 1915 he was elevated to monsignor by the pope in recognition of his 50th year in the priesthood. At the outbreak of World War I, Father Vattman rejoined the Army and was appointed to a major and sent to Fort Sheridan to serve as chaplain, where he stayed until his health compelled him to relinquish all activities. He died in 1919.
Father Vattmann was the first man to be called to the bedside of Mr. Roosevelt when he was in a Milwaukee hospital after being shot by a would-be assassin. Wilmette Historical Society has a 1916 letter to Vattmann from the President's home at Sagamore Hill. Father Vattmann became a friend of five other Presidents-Hayes, Garfield, McKinley, Taft and Wilson. On his studio walls in his home hung autographed pictures of these men, along with Roosevelt. Miss Hoffman recalls that the President, on his visits to Wilmette, would be greeted by a double line of Boy Scouts from Troop 1 and other residents.
In preparation for the U.S. bicentennial Olene Sailor and the nine-member Wilmette Bicentennial Commission have begun organizational work on the village's role in the celebration.
Wilmette's First District representatives in the Illinois General Assembly-Brian Duff, John Edward Porter and Harold A. Katz-introduced HB 2857 for the appropriation of $200,000 to the Dept. of Conservation for land acquisition and other expenses related to designating the Gross Point Village Hall and the North Western depot as State Memorials. The bill is still in the committee.
WEEKLY BIKE REPORT: Between June 18-24, 36 more bicycles were reported stolen in the village with seven recovered. The total count for the month is 97 thefts and 14 recoveries. Editor recommends licensing bicycles with the police department.
PERSONAL: AAA Tent Sales Col, 20 5th St. in Maywood is equipped to repair tents and poles. Photograph Rev. Vattmann - Date of Publication
- 27 Jun 1974
- Subject(s)
- Personal Name(s)
- Vattmann, Edward ; Roosevelt, Theodore
- Local identifier
- Wilmette.News.298018
- Language of Item
- English
- Copyright Statement
- Public domain: Copyright has expired according to United States law. No restrictions on use.
- Contact
- Wilmette Public LibraryEmail:refdesk@wilmettelibrary.info
Website:
Agency street/mail address:1242 Wilmette Avenue
Wilmette, IL
60091-2558
U.S.A. Phone: 847-256-6930
