President Theodore Roosevelt loved horses. Before, during, and after his Presidency he was known as an avid horseman. While in the White House, he had a full house in the stables including several riding horses, carriage horses, and a pony. Roswell was one horse quietly occupying a stall, taking a backseat to the more famous Bleistein.
About Roswell we don’t know quite as much as we do the other horses in the stable, although there was a mention of him in a letter from Roosevelt to his son Kermit, written in 1907. Roosevelt encloses an anecdote stating that Quentin had bruised Roswell’s knee in a jump, and that “for the last week, I have not jumped him, so as to give him a chance to get well.” The next mention of Roswell is in a letter written on February 13th, 1909 where Roosevelt talks to his son Kermit about selling Roswell.
“Uncle Douglas has been riding Roswell several times this last week, usually in my company, but has not wisht to pay the price I have asked, $500. However, I do not think I shall get that price and if not I shall sell him at auction Thursday next, and then Uncle Douglas may be able to get him cheaper. Of course I should like to have him get old Roswell, for I don’t want to sell the old fellow unless I am sure he will have a good home.”
Roswell’s fate is unknown, but it is likely that Roosevelt ensured that Roswell’s retirement was to a good home.
