South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-09-26
Ex-President Grants Return.

After two years of sightseeing and
ovasious in the old world. Ex-Presiden t
Grant landed urcn his native shores at
San Francisco on Saturday evening last.
His reception was brilliant and enthu.
siastic. Business was suspended, and
there was turnout Of the entire popu-
lat'oa- Mayor Bryant delivered a
brief but eloquent address OF welcome.
General Grant responded in few brief
sentences, returning thanks for the well
come extended to him. lie was then
conducted to his carriage. Mayor Bry.
ant accompanying him, while various
committees and other gentlemen in ut.
tendance repaired to their own carra-
ges. As the carriage containing Gener-
al Grant appeared cheer after cheer went
up, and the crowd pressed forward, and
swsyed from side to side in It's efforts to
obtain passing glance OF the familiar
iineaments of the great captain.
An immense procession was then
formed and the parade was had. Amid
tremendous cheers Of the crowd, discharg.
es OF cannon. ringing Of bells & scream.
| ing oil whistles, the procession started
up Market street. Bonfires blazed at
the street corners, Examinations lit up
every window, and the glare Of Roman
candles and electric lights made the
broad thoroughfare as bright as day.
Under continuous archway OF flags,
banners and festooned draperies, the
procession novel up Market street TO
Montgomery, and turned down the lat
ter street. Crowds blocked the side
walks, chez after cheer rolled along the
whole line Of march and almost drowned
the martial strains Of the numerous
bands. Broad ensigns tossed in the
nights wind, glowing with the light of
the fires anil glare Of rocket. and fire
balls, the light mist lowering over the
city reflected light Of fire works and il
Nominations until the heavens seemed
ablaze. Not only the streets on the
march, but the cross streets between
Market street and Montgomery avenue
were brilliant with decorations. Even
the Chinese quarter seemed TO have
caught the infection, and from hundreds
OF stafis the great dragon fas famed it's
| Fantastic blazonry beside the stars and
stripes. Continuing it's march the pro
cession moved through Montgomery
avenue TO kearney street. Here, il pos.
slble, the crowds wero still more dense &
enthusiastic,and the display of fireworks,
electric lights and every conceivable
means Of illumination of Increased bril-.
llancy. On arriving at Market street
the procession, moving up few blocks,
countermarched to the Palace Hotel.
Here magnificent arch forty feet in
height spanned New Montgomery street
blazoned with national co!ors and bear
ing the inscription Welcome TO Grant
General Grant, on arrival nj tue hotel
after the procession. retired 10 his rooms
and asked not TO be disturbed duri ne
The night. A number of gentlemen were
presented by the committee to General
Grant. who received them cordially.
The enthusiastic populace thronged
the court and refused to leave. Finally
Mayor Bryant appeared snd announced
that as soon as the general had finished
his dinner lie would show himself In
a few minutes Grant appeared. amid
deafening and long continued shouts
Mayor Bryant called The crowd to order
and the general was again greeted with
q succession Of cheers. When the noise
subsidized ho addressed them as follows
Fe}losc Citizen, Of San Francisco: AZ
tor twenty five years absence | am glad
TO meet you and assure you Of my cor.
dial thanks for the kind greeting you
have given me. | shall stay in your
city long enough 10 greet you more fully.
He then withdrew Gmid prolonged
and tremendous cheering aud the crowd
reluctantly scattered. The general is
looking extremely we'll and expressed
his satisfaction with bis experience of
his trip and his surprise at the tremen.
dons demonstration which greeted his
arrival home.
CELEBRATIONS OF EMAECIPATION DAY