President William Howard Taft visits the Thousand Islands

By Susan G Mathis

Lots of famous people from all over came to the New Frontenac Hotel during their summers. In 1904, William Howard Taft sought respite in the tranquil beauty of the Thousand Islands on Round Island. The scenic archipelago, nestled along the Saint Lawrence River on the border of the United States and Canada, provided the perfect backdrop for the president to unwind and rejuvenate. President Taft, known for his larger-than-life personality and robust stature, had a keen appreciation for leisure and relaxation. The Thousand Islands, with its lush greenery, crystal-clear waters, and countless islets, promised a peaceful escape from the pressures of the Oval Office.

Taft and his family embarked on a voyage to the Thousand Islands, taking advantage of the region's reputation as a premier vacation destination. The president's decision to visit the islands not only highlighted the area's natural beauty but also brought attention to the growing popularity of the Thousand Islands as a haven for the well-to-do seeking solace. The president and his family enjoyed boat rides along the winding channels, exploring the myriad of islands that make up the region.

Fishing excursions were a favorite pastime, with the president's robust enthusiasm for the sport. The abundance of fish in the Saint Lawrence River provided ample opportunities for Taft to indulge in his love for angling while taking in the picturesque surroundings.

In Rachel’s Reunion, Rachel meets William Howard Taft, Secretary of War in Teddy Roosevelt’s Administration at the time, the Maharaja and Maharani of Baroda, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver and Alva Belmont, the Russian Prince and Princess Engalitcheff, and a famous photographer, Chester Armstrong. These people, and others, really did come and stay at the resort.

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ABOUT RACHEL’S REUNION

It’s 1904, and Rachel Kelly serves the most elite patrons at the famed New Frontenac Hotel on Round Island. She has wondered about her old beau, Mitch, for nearly two years, ever since he toyed with her affections while on Calumet Island, then left for the high seas and taken her heart with him. Now he’s back, opening the wound she thought was healed. Mitch O’Keefe returns to claim his bride but finds it more difficult than he thought. Returning to work at the very place he hated, he becomes captain of a New Frontenac Hotel touring yacht, just to be near Rachel. But his attempts to win her back are thwarted, especially when a wealthy patron seeks her attention. Who will Rachel choose?

ABOUT SUSAN:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has eleven in her fiction line. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan lives in Colorado Springs and enjoys traveling the world. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.