Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-12
BOUND TO GET NEWS
HOW THE REPORTERS WENT TO DEER
PARK AND BACK.
Serving the Reading Public Under DIM
culties-Good Telegraphic Work
A Visit to Mr.. Cleveland.

settled down 10 n mixture OF routine with
love at the White House il may do no harm
to uncover enough Of the reporters bust.
ness to let IL be known bow the detail OF
the trip to and fro and the incidents OF the
honeymoon visit were supplied TO the pub
lie. Rumors OF the Presidents intention
to leave Washington with bis bride were
siited so thoroughly on the wedding
day that before the ceremony there
were probably dozen reporters who
believed he was TO go to Deer
Park. Al the same time no one at
Washington was so confident OF II as 10 60
on ahead, hut the policy OF every office was
to have this part OF the days proceedings
looked after with great care. From early
in the evening, accordingly, the White
HouIe grounds were picketed and pickets
were employed also on the STREETS. avenues,
and roads for half mile or more beyond
the grounds. The President couldn't have
escaped unGetccted, and there was q small
troop OF saddle horses and carriages at
the call OF the pickets, TO follow
wherever he might lead. In the alter
noon men were seen working on an
awning and steps at one o. the rear windows
Of the White House. This indicated the
means Of exit for the bridal pair, and OF
course il was unknown 10 the crowd wLo
gathered in front after the ceremony. win
all this wstchiulness, however, only two
reporters saw the Presidents carriage leave
the grounds. one represented the Tunes,
and the other the Chicago Tribune. Their
carriage was near at hand and followed the
President. at distance Of about hall
block, over a devious route TO the place
where the speciai train lay. They had pre-
yiously learned from what point il would
start, although that was really railroad
secret.
In about fifty minutes after the President
and Mrs. Cleveland were on the wav arcgu-
lar express train started out Of Washington.
SIX reporters were on board II was no
secret then in Washington that the Presi-
dent bad gone 10 Deer Park. Al every sta
ton the reporters jumped off. learned how
far the special was ah' ad, and dropped
few lines containing what little they could
glegn 10 he telegraphed TO their respective
papers. They learned rather more at Rock
vile, sixteen miles out Of Washington,
than could be written while the train
stopped. md 50 prepared their dispatches on
hctrain for the next station. The conduc-
tor advised them TO throw diSpltchcS
nom the train at Washington Junction.
furtv-twO miles on the journey, and agreed
10 Slacken speed so that the dispatches
might not blow away. There was 10 be no
other stop until so late as to make tele-
graphing doubtful for that night. When
the IRAN Slackened at Washington Junction
the tclegraph-operatOr came out 10 see what
Wa. the matter. He was met with fu>il-
adc of paper missiles and verbal orders 70
send them right along. Tne reporters
saw him throw mp his hands in dcSplir,
ana he shouted after the train that he
couldn't get 50 much of II he w0rSed
until the next night. As the DISPATCHES
were printed in the morning, he evidently
found them less formidable thln they ap-
pcart Il when coming IN him on the iy. No
one tried 10 send further news that night.
but all were alert for incidents OF the trip
for the next days use. ana at every stop
pin.. place the dCtall jumped oil To got
from the statiOn-maSter all he knew about
the special. \ suspicion had been culti-
vaied during the trip that the Presidents
car might be silc-tracked II or make for some
destination other than that announced.
The reporters took no chances on any such
escape. Along in The early morning hours
relations Of friendship having been fully
established with the conductor. the elo-
qUeuce OF the reporters was turned upon
tbat person To persuade him to stop at Deer
Park. lie said he would like To do it, but
couldn't without orders. Consequently, at
Ala O'Clock in the morning, the reporters
stood on the ear platforms and fired a vOlley
ol cheers at the Presidents train. which
they had the satisfaction of seeing safe on
the siding at Deer Park. This sight lifted
a load Of anxiety. The special had arrived
t4O'clOck with the President and his bride.
At about O'Clock the reporters left their
train at Oakland. six miles beyond Deer
Park. Not person was astIr in that
solemn village, and the binding party, be-
side, icing bcgrimed with the nights ride
ard tagged ont from their watcbfulneSs,
were famishing. Across the railroad track
and in slght were two hotels. One OF them
was a summer house. which the reporters
had heard WIS not open. The other was
running after aSty'e thai might be expected
in a town II no hotel trade except in sum-
mcr. They made for this house, but the
landlord WIS in that drtamleSs sleep
which mountain air induces. and could not
be awakened. A cOlOred boy was routed
up. however. who led them 30 the kitchen,
but neither in tbatro0m nor in the pantries,
refrigerator. or cellar, all Of which were
kADAIsAlNtlN luHNlA h''ts Ahulu lhtl uhh
even "A smell of anything to eat. Resolving
at last that il they must starye they had
better do it at the post OF duty thar six
miles away, they got their dusky pilot 10
shake up man who had horses and a big
wagon, and struck out for Deer Park. ~
il raincd and the road was muddy the dis
comforts Of that trip may perhaps be iml-
giDed. At anv rate. a little before s o'clock
- n.lt
and Ohio road, whose car had been at
iachcd TO the Presidents on the special
trip. looked ont of his window upon the
prcS>-Wagon numbering up 10 the Deer
Paik station. Then he saw a drenched
and decrepit figure drop on the station
platform, quickly followed 10y another, and
still more, like sheep stumbling over a
fence. until the six men whose pens were
TO satisfy the curiosity OF millions OF peO-
ple were all out and surveying dismally
the prospect. They were not long in dis
covering the breakfast smoke rising from
Mr.. Davis's ear, for which they made
without delay a gallant break. They
were joined in this tndcavOr by
Baltimore reporter, whose pub
Usher had learned the Presidents destina-
ton from u confidential source. aud had re.
SIlffltu lup commence ~ StUulDR llt TO-
porter on ahead in the hope Of witnessing
the arrival. The reporter got 10 Oakland
the night before. He didn't want to pass
the night without sleep, aud after a good
deal OF proving and mystery he asked the
landlord TO call him at > O'Clock in the
morning. As no one In the house was %
be up at that hour the reporter took an
aarm-cloek 10 his room. hisIrusting some
great event the landlord got very nervous
md decided To watch the reporter. 80 Le
ighted cigar and stationed himself in the
orridor opposite the reporters room. Ii
vas long waiting, but the landlord let
he hour OF slip by without
tirring. He heard no noise from
he alarm-elock, but didn't care TO
investigate. Satisfied at O'Clock that
whatever deep design his mysterious
guest might have had bad been frustrated
by bls having oversight be went into the
room. The reporter lay sleeping rs sereneIy
as could be, with one Of his fingers stuck
between the ringer and the bell Of the
alarm clock out OF consideration for the
rest Of the household BE- had taken the clock
TO bed with him and fixed 1t so that II
wouldn't awaken any one else. This be-
nevolent design operated as hoist by his
own petard. He sprang up when the
I.n1lorJ IN him n was n'ctock