Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-15
GREELY'S WELCOME.
Newbnryport Does Honor to Her Distin.
guished Son - Mrs. GreeIy's Home
Decorated-The Streets and Rail-
way stations sAdorned-Fifteen
Thousand Strangers in Town
TO See the Hero.

NEwBURNroRr. Aug "a.
Newburyport has been making haste to
welcome back her wandering hero, As the
appointed day approached, interest has
warmed 10 an intense heat and though the
wretched weather OF yesterday was subject
to general condolement, preparations were
pushed hastily forward The town is being
put IN holiday attire in spite of The drzzling
rain. The first number on the program this
morning was firing the nstior al salute and
ringing the church bells. Occasionally 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 Il committee who ,uperintended
the erection of four arches, one at the CITY
Hail. two on State street and one at the birth
place of Greely on Prospect street, and the
decoration of CITY Hall, Public Library
building and the surroundings of the Wash
ington statue City Hall arch spanned the
entrance to City Hall, bearing the motto.
New burypOrt honored hv her SON" Across
the balcony, over the arch. in go.d letters.
was Welcome, Greedy. welcome" In
! large window over the entrance was paint
( ing of the Goddess OF Liberty hold in her left
hand picture of Lieut. Greedy, Inside, the
hall was very elaborately trimmed with flags
and streamers, The Library building was
covered with bunting, flags, and various de-
vices. The arch on Prospect street At the
birth place of Greedy, and the present resi-
/ dence OF hls 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 enclos
/ ing golden stars, the whole being very elabo-
rately trimmed with flags and shields and
| on the top of the pillars at each end were
/ piaRAl Lar trn al, .,
trance to the house were American flags
caught together by a large laurel wreath and
suspended beneath a large silver horse shoe.
! The entrance front Of the house was very
! handsomely and richly decorated and was
I handsome tribute TO the home of Mrs. Greelv
as well as to the Lieut., himself
The arch spanning State street at the cor
ner of High street was surmountcd by flag
staff displaying a large American flag and
/ from the top was run a line of strcamers to
the end Of the arch. The faces Of the arch
were covered with red cloth bearing in white
! letters the notices, "lIard the struggle great
| the victory; "Resolutc his deeds, bright his
! fame The columns upon which the arch
rested were covered with evergreen, orna
mented with shields bearing the names of the
rescuing vessels the Bear, the Thets and the
Alert, also the latitude and longitude which
was attained by Lieut. Greedy.
The remaining arch was in a street near
Middle, and was entirely novel and striking in
appearance. 1t was twenty feet in height aud
covered with white feecy material represent
ing snow and SO arranged as to form an almost
perfect inter scene. 1t was surmounted by
a very fine mounted polar bear. Across the
span of the arch upon blue ground in span
gled white letters was the motto: The frozen
seas give back our SON. On the reverse side
"Bravely, faithfully, successfully" From
the sides were also the flags which had been
| carried by Lieut.. Greedy during one of his
campaigns in the Indian country.
The private decorations were numerous and
eiaUura,e IN thv cALreuIe. i, the East,ruauI
Boston & Maine stations, which were hand
somely decorated, lively scenes were wit
messed. All trains were heavily laden. 1t is
estimated there are at least Is 900 strangers
in the city, the two railroad trains bringing
/ five thousand while the neighboring towns are
/ literally emptied into Newburyport.
| At 1920 A. NJ, Newburyport com
mandery accompanied by band and
/ platoon of police, left the hall and
proceeded to the house of Lieut.. Greely's
mother on Prospect street Here Sir Knight
/ c. G. Dame, John n. Pike and II. NJ. Cross,
entered and warmly greeted the honored
guests, who responded pleasantly and present
:
made by his wife, which has been farther
north than any flag ever made, with the request
that it be handed to Mayor Johnson for dis.
play on the Grand stand today
Lieut. Greelv was then escorted to his car
riage amid great cheers. The carriage was
drawn bv four white horses Sir Knight
/ Dame accompanied tine Lieutenant the other
members of the committee taking seats in an
other carriage. The carriage Of Lieut. Greedy
was then surrounded by Sir Knight, and the
/ line of march was taken up, the procession
moving through various streets to city hall
where Mayor Johnson and DIR. James Young
were introduced to Lieut.. Greedy by Dame,
who also presented the Mayor With the flag
referred TO- The Mayor then took a seat in
the carriage which was driven to its place in
/ the procession.
From his mothers home to city hall Lieut..
/ Greedy was the constant recipient of applause
AMI cheers to all Of which he responded with
nod and smiles.
At City Hall, Lieut. Greedy said he was de
/ lighted to get back to his old home and sorry
that i'll health prevented his surviving com
rades from enjoying the festivities. The first
bit of the American coast he saw on returning
from the Arctic that surrounding his ma
tive city. The order Of procession was the
same as previously published. The second
I DIVISION was composed OF invited guests IN
carriages, escorted by Newburyport Comman.
/ dery Knights Templar Of which the distin-
gulshed guest Is member. Among them were
Lieut.. Francis L. Harris, Lewis F. Norras,
/ Raymond l., Newcomb, threeArctc survivors,
John A. Greedy, Lucius II. Greely. various
mayors Of neighhoring cities. Admiral Mills
/ Congressman Stone, Governor Robinson and
staff, Congressman Morse, Ben Perley Poore.
| Hon. II. $. Spoford and other notable men,
members Of the city government and other
city officials.
Z At ! i 20 the procession moved under the
/ Chief Marshalship Of Col. Clayers, the Knights
/ Templar Guards, army posts and fire cOmpa-
nies. All turned out with full ranks, and the
/ handsomely decorated machines made an at
tractive appearance. As the procession started
the indications pointed strongly 70 rain, but
only few drops fell, and with the exception
of the muddy streets, the conditions were all
that could be desired.
At the reception Mayor johnson said In
behalf Of the citizens Of your native CITY,
welcome yon home. From our hearts we re-
joice at your safety and return the honor you
have achieved for yourself which can never
fade, So long as the world shall exist, 50
long will endure the name Of Lieut.. A w.
Greedy Of Newburyport. Again we welcom
You.
/ Lieut.. Greely then arose, and for several
minutes the applause continued. After it
subsidized he said sit is not possible for me