Page 43 - Fall 2024 Newsletter

Teddy and Bill, continued...
on new meaning coming from a man who made his
life on his own terms rather than from the scholars of
Harvard or wealthy elites he grew up with.
Acceptance
“We hitched well, somehow or other, from the start.
He was different from anybody that I had ever met;
especially, he was fair-minded…Besides, he was always
good-natured and full of fun. I do not think I ever
remember him being “out-of-sorts.” He did not feel well
sometimes, but he never would admit it.” – Bill Sewall on
Teddy Roosevelt
When Teddy came to Maine and later in life to the
Badlands of the Dakotas, he had to prove himself
to nearly everyone he met. He was short, dressed
funny, and had glasses which were considered a sign
of weakness (both physical and character) in his day.
Sewall, however, seemed to take Teddy in right away.
All the writings which I have read between the two
show Sewall supportive of Roosevelt. I think this is a
sign of humility in Sewall but perhaps a clue that he
may have sensed a great man in his presence.
We see Sewall’s humility and trust in Teddy when
he agrees to move to the Badlands and manage a
cattle ranch (Elkhorn) on behalf of the then New York
Assemblyman Roosevelt. It was with some reluctance
that Sewall, along with his wife and children and
nephew Wilmot Dow and his family, agreed to leave
the only home he had ever known, but he did.
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The River Boat Thieves
In March of 1886, when Teddy was visiting his now
famous Elkhorn ranch, thieves stole his small rowboat
which he used to cross the river. As would be expected,
Roosevelt decided to chase after the thieves on
horseback. Keep in mind this is prior to being a Rough
Rider. However, being that it was March and the ice on
the river had just broken, there would be no sure and
safe way for Teddy to cross the river. Rather than talk
their friend out of the chase (after all it was just a small
boat), Sewall and Dow convinced Teddy to let them
build a boat and in three days’ time they would all go
after the thieves. Talk about a man! What a friend, right!
That’s exactly what they did. They had some idea of
who the thieves were but were not sure how well they
were armed. The three men set off on the expedition
and caught up with the scoundrels rather quickly.
Thinking no one would be able to follow them, for
they had taken the only boat within several miles,
the thieves pitched camp not far offshore. Roosevelt,
Sewell, and Dow snuck up on them at night as they
were gathered around the campfire, tied them up,
and threw them in the boat.
Final Thoughts
Roosevelt’s love for his dear friend and mentor was
clear many years later and Sewall continued to inspire
other men and young boys over the course of his life.
In 1902, the now President Roosevelt was traveling and
making re-election speeches. According to Edmund
Morris:
“At Bangor, Maine, an old loyalty reawakened. “If
anyone sees or knows where Bill Sewall of Island Falls,
Aroostook, is,” Roosevelt yelled from the balcony of the
Bangor House, “I wish he would tell him that I want him
to come in and lunch with me right now.” The bewiskered
woodsman who had toughened him as a teenager
pressed dazedly through the crowd, and went inside to
roars of applause.” – Edmund Morris, Theodore Rex
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