Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-05

event as the celebration Of the return OF
Lieut.. Greely and tine survivors of the expe-
dition. which under the auspices Of the nun
/ lcipaI government Of Portsmouth. took place
there today. If throngs OF people, numerous
bands of music and b0undless enthusiasm
could make celebration a success this was
one. The day was perfect bright and cheerful.
On the crowded streets and thronged squares.
there was everywhere order and cheerful
ness.
Throngs from all sections of the country
came crowd1ng into the city shortly after
sunrise and thousands added by trains and
incoming steamers. were apparently lost in
the immensity of the crowd already present.
The work of preparation for the celebration
had been carefully elaborated on Sunday and
every feature of the programme was carried
out without blunder
At $50 o'clock. boats, barges and steam
launches began discharging heavy freghts OF
officers and seamen from the North Atlantic
squadron and Arctic fleet along the crowded
wharves, AMI fast they arrived they
were drawn up along the stree. adjacent TO
Market square. Civic organizations and
military companies arrived from various
points on the early trans aud hastened to
take part in the celebration. All public
buildings and many private ones were hand.
somely and appropriately decorated aud
- Welcome to Our Arctic Heroes was
imprinted everywhere on the flying bunt-
ing.
At 10 o'clock the steam tug Levden landed
the last of the sailors from the fleet and the
column was formed on Daniel and State
streets and moved to its appropriate place.
From an early hour in the morning crowds
blocked the streets near where Lieut.. Greedy
was to land. The coming of the Arctic hero
was the all absorbing object of interest
Every steam launch was scanned and every
barge anxously watched for his presence.
AT 10 20, amid considerable enthusiasm
I Commander Schley, Lieutenant Emery and
Commander Coffin disembarked from the
barge. Following them were other officers
Of the Greedy relief expedition. All were
attired in a neat fatigue uniform. Then were
landed the heroes of the relief expedition, the
sailors of the Thetis, Bear and Alert clad in
heavy stage boots, pants tucked in the top,
heavy dark blue shirts and regulation navy
caps. They rolled along with a sailor gait
All were bronzed, sunburned and weather
beaten. They were enthusiastically greeted
as they landed and the crowd pressed forward
to shake their hands. The sailors from the
squadron greeted their companions from the
relief ships with hearty shouts of "Messmates
welcome home," and other honest greetings
meeting between old messmates.
A roar of welcome went up when at IL
o'clock Lieut.. Greely was discovered with
comrades coming toward the landing in the
admirals barge. Lieut.. Greelv was cloth ID
! completely in white with a slouch hat and
wearing spectacles. As he and his companions
alighted, all crowded forward to welcome him
| Greedy leaned upon the arm pf Lieut. Powell
and languidly lifted his hat to the throng of
people who crowded near him. His every
movement indicated weakness. His comrades
received much attention and were objects of
curious scrutiny. All were placed in coaches
and were Immediately drawn to the Rocking
/ ham house, as it had been decided not to al
low them to appear in the procession.
! As the Rockingham crowds surrounded the
/ house endeavoring to catch glimpse of the
party. Lieutenant Greedy said to an associated
press reporter that he felt very well this morn
ing. and he looked it. He expressed himself
as being much moved by the cOrdiality of the
reception. Mrs. Greedy Joined her husband
at the hotel.
Meanwhile the arrangements for starting
the procession were completed. Upon two
! large stands in Market Square were gathered
many prominent persons and a number of
/ ladies.
At 20 the procession began to move along
/ the packed streets in the order given in the
programme published this morning. The only
! change was that the crews from the relief
ships followed the naval cadets. Thunderous
applause greeted the sailors of the relief squad
ron as they moved along Lieutenant Greedy
and comrades were seated upon the balcony
and when the head of the procession appeared
cheer after cheer greeted him, the men in the
procession Joining. As the crews of the The
ts, Bear and Alert passed, Lieutenant Greelv
bowed very low and seemed to look his graft
tude to the heroes who had recently rescued
him from an Arctic grave. The scene was
affecting and emotion seemed to pervade the
entire throng of people, many of whom were
seen to bruch tears from their eyes. The re-
] lief crews in respect raised their caps. Com
mander Schley, Lieutenant Emery and Com
mander Coffin raised their hats as they passed
the heroes.
After the procession had gone gone by,
Lieutenant Greedy and his party entered the
Rockingham where, after remaining a short
/ time. they were driven TO the grand stand on
/ Market square where they again reviewed the
procession and again received the plauiits of
( the multitude.
Among the prominent men on the stand
were Secretary Chandler General Hazen.
/ Governor Hale, Mayor Lothrop of Dover, the
mavor of Newburyport, Mayor Putnam of
Manchester, Samuel J. Randall, Congressman
Robinson of New York, officers of the relief
expedition and of the North Atlantic squadron
and members of the government of many New
England cities.
The procession passed over the appointed
route and was dismissed at about two O'Clock
shortly after two o'clock the invited guests
proceeded to the Rockingham house where
they were entertained at dinner by the city Of
! Portsmouth.
meeting of the citizens at Music Hall
/ this evening, to extend the official welcome
of the city to Lieut.. Greely and the remainder
of his crew was largely attended and was
characterised BY unbounded enthusiasm. In
the auditorium there was representation of
! Portsmouth foremost citizens, while on the
stage sat many distinguished gentlemen, not
a few of whom are known throughout the
length and breadth of the land Among those
on the stage were the officers of the North
Atlantic squadron and Arctic relief fleet. In
the front seats in the orchestra sat the crews
of the Thetis, Bear and Alert. These sturdy
sailors were enthusiastically received by the
audience when they entered as was their off
GERS when they shortly afterward took seats
on the platform. Among others on the stage
were Hon. W. f. Chandler. secretary of the
Navy; Gen. Hazen, chief signal service off,
Ger L. S. A.; Admiral Luce; Commodore
Wells. Gen r. F. ButIer: Hon s i Ran.