The Portland daily press., 1884-08-15
GREELY AT HOME.

GREELY AT HOME.
A Warm Reception Given the
Arctic Explorer.
NEWBURKPORT, MASS, In HOLI-
DAY ATTIRE.
NEwBURYPoRT, Mass, Aug. 14-This CITY
has been making preparations to welcome
back Lieut.. Greedy. AS the appointed day
approached, the interest has warmed up to a
white heat and though the wretched weather
OF yesterday was subject of general condole-
ment, the preparations were pushed bravely
forward and the town was put in holiday at
tire in spite of drizzling rain.
The first thing on the programme this morn
ing was firing a national salute and the ring
ing of the church bells. During the morning
an occasional ray of sunshine was seen and
the effect on the gaily decorated streets and
buildings was beautiful.
The decorations by the city were in charge
OF committee who superintended the erection
OF four arches, one at City Hall, two on State
street and one at the birthplace of Lieut.
Greedy on Prospect street. They also had in
charge the decoration of tho City Hall, the
public library building and the SURROUNDINGS
of the Washington statue at City Hall. An
arch spanned the entrance to the hall, bearing
the motto "Newburyport is honored by her
son." Across the balcony over the arch in
gold letters was "Welcome, Greedy, We'll
come" In large window over the entrance
was painting of the Goddess of Liberty hold
ing in the left hand portrait of Lieut.. Gree
II. Tue front of the hall was very elaborate
iy trimmed with flags and Streamers. The
entire front of the public library building was
covered with buuiicg, flags and various de-
vices.
The arch on Prospect street at the birth
place of Lieut. Greedy and the present resi-
denca OF his mother, showed the motto on the
side from which Lieut.. Greedy approached,
Home, Sweet Home" and on the reverse
"Hail to the Hero Beneath the notices
were suspended large laurel wreaths enclosing
golden stars. The whole was very elaborately
trimmed with flags and shields, and on the
top of the pillars at each end were placed
large tropical plants. Over the entrance to
the house was a glory of American flags
caught together by large laurel wreath and
suspended beneath large silver horse shoe.
The entire front of the house was very hand
somey and richly decorated and was a hand
some tribute to tho home of Mrs. GreeIy as
we'll as to the Lieutenant himself.
The arch spanning State street at the corner
OF high, was Surmounted by flag staff dis
playing large American flag. and from the
top was run a line of streamers to the bend of
the arch. The faces of the arch were covered
WIbu d r6u CtOGu DtdrlDS IN WHlt6 l6tt6r6 the
notices, Hard the Struggle, Great the Victo-
tory" "Resoluta his Deeds, Bright his Fame"
The columns upon which the arch rested were
covered with evergreen ornamented with flags,
and shields bearing the names of the rescuing-
vessels, Bear, Thets and Alert, and the latiy
tude and longitude which was attained b
Lieutenant Greedy.
The remaining arch was on State street, near
Middle, and was entirely novel and striking in
appearance 1t was 20 feet in height and was
covered with white feecy material represent
ing snow and so arranged as to form an almost
perfect winter scene. 1t was surmounted by a
very fine mounted polar bear. Across the span
upon blue ground in spangled white letters,
was the motto, "The Frozen Seas give back
our Son." On the reverse side, "BrAvely,
Faithfully, Successfully From the sides
were the fsgs which had been carried by Lieut.
Greely during one of his campaigns in the In
dian country.
The private decorations were numerous and
elaborate in the ex treme.
At the Eastern and Boston & Maine stations
which we're handsomely decorated, lively
scenes were witnessed. All the trains were
heavily loaded. 1t is estimated that there
were at least 10000 strangers in the city, the
two railroads bringing 5000, while the neigh
boring towns were literally emptied into New
burypoEt.
AT 1920 this morning, the Newburyport
Commandery, accompanied by a band and
platoon of police, left their hail and proceeded
10 tie house of Lieut.. Greely's mother, on
Prospect street. Sir Knights G. G. Dane John
N. Plke and ii. M. Cross entered and warmly
greeted the honored guest, who responded
pleasantly, aad presented Sir Knight Dane
With the American flag made by his wife,
which has been farther north than any flag
ever made. He requested that il be handed to
Major johnson for display on the grand stand
today.
Lieutenant Greedy was then escorted to his
carriage amid the cheers of the crowd. The
carriage was drawn by four white horses Sir
Knight Dane accom- panied the lieutenant, 9th.
er members OF the committee taking seats in
another carriage. The carriage of Lieutenant
Greedy vas then surrounded by Sir Knights
and the line of march was taken up. The pro-
cessicn moved through various streets to the
City hall whore Mayor johnson and DR.. James
Young were introduced to Lieutenant Greedy
by Mr.. Dane who also presented the Mayor
with the flag referred to-
In the second division wera invited guests in
carriages and escorted by the Newburyport
Commandery, Knights Templar, OF which the
distinguished guest is a member. Among
them we're Lieut. Francis L. Harris Louis p
Morris and Raymond L. Newcomb, three Arc
tic survivors, John 81. Greely, Lewis Fl.
Greedy, various mayors of New England
cities, Admiral Wells and two aids, Congress.
man Stone, Governor Robinson and staff, Con-
gresham Morse. Major Ben Perley Poore,
Hon. II. 5. Spofferd and ether notable New
Englanders, and members of the city govern.
ment with other city officials.
AT IL. 10 the procession moved under the
chief marshaship of Col. l.. G. Ayers. The
knights Templar, Grand Army post:
and the fire companies of the CITY all
turned out with full ranks and handsomely
decorated machines and made an attractive
appearance. AS the procession started the in.
dications pointed strongly to rain, but only a
few drops fell, and with the exception oi
muddy streets the conditions wers all thai
could be desired.
Along the line everywhere Lieut.. Greey
| was received with tremendous enthusiasm. A
O'Clock the procession reached the grand
stand, and the Eighth Regiment was drawn NJ
on the left The carriage containing Lieut.
| Greedy was driven to the stand and as he
stepped to the platform he was given a grand
| reception from the assembled thropg The
Salem, Mass, brass band then played "Homt
| Again., after which the exercises proper be
| gan with fne renderingsof KelIer's American
| hymn; prayer followed by Rev. DIR. Walact
| of Newburyport. Mayor johnson then ad
dressed Lieut.. Greedy as follows:
| Mayor JOhnsOn's Address.
In behalf of the citizens of your native city
| welcome you home. From our hearts we rejoice a
| your safety and return, and the honor YOU hay
brought to well as the fame you have achieve,
| for yourself, which never fade. So long as th
| world shall exist so long will endure the name o
| welcome you.
| Lieut.. Greely's Response.
Lieut.. Greedy then arose, and for severa
minutes the applause continued. After it sub
| sided he said
1t is not possible for me to put in words .an ez
| preston OF what now feel at such reception a
this. On all previous occasions when have return
| ed here from my experiences, first as private il
war; then as an officer in war and an officer in tn
| kindly treatment from this my native citv ON M
late return to civilization and my country the frs
part of the coast to meet my eye was NeWburyport
its hills, its spires and its houses In INV passage
and fro through the streets of my city today word
fail to express my feelings or utter any thanks t
you all. AS L telegraphed from St. Johns, had