River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-11-27
CEN. GRANT.
His Reception at Chicago,
A Week Of Gayety, Banuuets and
Speech Making.

The week ending Nov. 18th witnessed
Chicago's une2amped welcome 10 Gen.
Grant. 1t was An event which will long
be remembered. More people were at
tracted to the city TO witness the fecep-
ton than ever gathered in tie ty be-
fore. Fully $4,000 strangers poured in
to the city on crowded trains, and the
vast no oil accommodations would not
meet the demands made upon them.
Hundreds of disappointed ones were
turned away WHO sought shelter, while
restaurants and all manner of cheap car
avansares did thriving, crushing bus
mess.
1t had rained for several days and the
streets of Chicago were fearful to con
template. Up to eight A. NJ, OF Wednes-
day-the rain poured down in torrents.
The magnificent decorations were sad
ly soaked, and still the streets bore
holiday appearance, with flags, banners,
and other decorations displayed every
where. But the people were deter
mined to celebrate despite all discour-
agements, and the streets We're carly
crowded with the anxious thousands
bent upon seeing the distinguished lion
OF the day.
Gen. Grants party arrived on
special train, and at one o'clock the
vast procession began to form on the
lake front. Just at that time the rain
poured down in torrents and the vast
multitude was drenched. But it soon
cleared again and the long procession
got under marching orders in grand
style. The line Of march throughout
the whole distance was Witnessed by
crushing crowd of people, VINO thronged
the sidewalks, .encroaching upon the
flooded cutters, covered roofs, peeped
out from the windows, land even perched
upon improvised seats and balconies
! along the sides of buildings. The dec
orations were beautiful and in lavish
profusion everywhere, and the people
seemed to vie with each other in deaf
ening cheers as the distinguished mil
itary heroes passed by-such an array
of noted men were never before con-
vened in the west, if, indeed, the like
was ever seen In the nation at any time.
Among the honored were besides Gen.
Grant. Generals Sherman, Sheri-
| dan, Stockton, Terrence, Whipple,
| Logan, Schofield, Sherer, Cook and
| others. There were scores of Colonies,
Majors, and men of lesser titles who
were distinguished in the war for gal.
| liant services. The procession was a
brilliant affair, and Gen. Grant did not
reach the Palmer House to review the
troops until after four o'clock.
A few speeches were made, and Gen.
! Grant was then driven to the residence
| of his son, Col. Fred Grant, for lunch.
! l.. ti,o IF tho
see held o grand reception at Haverly's
| theatre. Speeches of welcome and re-
| sponses by prominent men were made,
when Judge w. Q. Gresham, of lndi-
annapolis, delivered the annual address,
which was pronounced by all master
" production. Gen. Sherman presided
in a happy manner. Hon. +. b.
Washburn and Gov. Cullom made
welcoming speeches, and after Judge
Gresham came Gen. Logan, Gen. Scho-
field, Gov. Oslc by and Mark Twain.
| On Thursday there was reunion of
all the soldiers and sailors Of the late
war, at McVicker's theatre, under the
auspices of the Chicago Veteran Club.
| Thursday evening the most conspicu-
Gus event of the week occurred, viz:
the banquet at the Palmer House. 1t
was the most distinguished company Of
men who ever eat down together. 1t
included the leaders in military, litera-
ry, business and social circles. 1t is
impossible to give an adequate idea of
the affair. The following speeches,
which elected unbounded applause, are
given as sample of what the unani-
nous voice OF the press pronounce the
choicest array of eloquence ever heard
OH social occasion on this continent.