Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-15

~.
The republican political demonstration
l honor of Congressman W. q. Gest's
eturn from Washington last evening, fell
hort of its desired effect, not only from
he fact that the motive sctustin g the af-
air was apparent to all. but because a
hitch IN the proceedings. ow-
ng to a blunder somewhere. put ludi-
rous aspect on the whole thing. 1t had
,een given out that the affair was to be
wholly lmpromptu, and as circumstances
evea led it was most decidedly impromp-
u, so much so, that before the process
ion got under way all the participants
n it were the laughing stock of the
own. 1t seems that the arrangements
With Mr.. Gest for the reception to be
endered him were not wholly under>
'tood. That gentleman had been ads
7ised by Chairman Reimers of the
Sixth ward club. to leave Chicago on the
noon train on the Rock Island road.
Accordingly he boarded the train leaving
he western metropolis nearest that time.
It was an accommodation train composed
Of only three cars, a baggage car, smoker
and ordinary coach, and it brought Mr..
Gest to Rock Island about 8 90 o'clock.
Just one hour in advance of the time ex-
pected for his arrival. After suffering
the inconvenience of coming 1871 miles
in an ordinary car whereas he might have
waited an hour and travelled on the Pull,
man vestibule for the same fare, it must
have been a surprise to the anticipating
to have been greeted not by
blsre Of bands and enthusiastic ap-
plause, but simply as an ordinary traveller,
and by the hsckmens' bare there you
are for down town" Mr.. Gest
glanced hastily about him and see
ing no one waiting with out-stretch>
ed arms to receive him, mounted
the Rock Island house bus and was
quickly driven down town. Dismount
ing at the corner of Seventeenth street
he hurried into the drug store of T. Fl,
Thomas, who is chairman of the republi>
can congressional committee, with the
object no doubt of ascertsining who had
put Job up on him, and why it was that
the plans proposed had OF been carried
out. Thomas greeted the unex-
pected caller with Amusement, and
hardly caught his breath sufficiently
to extend the hand of greeting. when be
exclaimed:
"Whst are you doing here? How die
you get here?"
why; why. what's the mstter?" re-
piled the congressman. realizing tina
something was wrong. and that he hs'
evidently put his foot in it.
Why, you have come too soon. Yo'
were not expected for an hour yet, an
the boys are just getting ready to 60 VI
for you
But what shall I do? l came on tn
train l was told to-"
By this time several republicans, VIII
| had observed Mr.. Gest enter the store
rushed in to greet him, and this state {
affairs only added to the perplexity of th
embarrassed Thomas.
Here, this won't do" he finally said
at will get all over town that you III
here"
But what shall dor replied the pu
zled congressman who seemed TO be
the toughest ordeal of his life.
go back to the depot, get back to Il
depot quick That is all that can
DONE" and saying this the chairm'
rushed out and motioued the bus to con
across the street. Gest then managed
get word in edgewsys and said he won
like to get up and see his mother at n
Clelands house on Twentieth street, a
it was agreed that he should be driv
there and remain until time for going
the Rock Island depot to be received
the torch bearers. Seeing this way G
of his predicsment, Thomas hustled t
congressman into the bus, pulled doy
the curtains and the vehicle sped aw
to Twentieth street. Meanwhile b
Wells had learned of Mr.. Gest's arri'
and getting some friends into a ha
started on a hunt for the congressm
| who came too soon. 1t was the first Il
in Boss Wells political experience Il
one of his candidates had run ahead
his ticket. Gest was doing the near
to such caper that he ever had, a
when the thought of such thing strr
Wells it gave him peculiar sensat
and be went up Twentieth street in b
glee. He found the congressman. loat
him into the hack and after he was sal
fed that the clubs and music had
fairly up to the depot, drove hence b.
circutous route and then, 1t is und
stood, got there before the train in VIII
Mr.. Gest was expected, arrived
: greetings were then exchanged and
procession moved down to Market squa
where Judge Wilkinson delivered an {
dress of welcome to Mr.. Gest, to VIII
the latter responded. The worn out C
= gresham was escorted to his no
and the demonstration was over.
/ Chairman Reimers of the Sixth W
club probably succeeded in making
sensation of the night by appearing Q
fine steed with an immense red band
gracefully arranged about his shoul
and across his breast
The intention of those managing
affair was, of course, to give it the
: pearance of popular tribute to
Gest, irrespective of party, that he
called home because of pressing Ii
business. and that this move had b
taken to manifest general approval Of
course. 1t was very neatly
cleverly conceived plan, but sad TO
it didn't work. The Union is respons
more than anything else for giving
thing away. 1t has been for week {