Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-10-09
Prssident Harrison Amopg cld
Friends.

PEoRIA, H., Oct. S.-Presldent Aafti'
son arose early this morning and at
o'clock was escorted by municipal officers
and military companies TO the depot where
5000 people had assembled The Pr.ideni
was introduced by Mayor Starse AMI ex-
pre- ssed his gratitude for the kiDdaess and
eviderce Of friendiness shown him. Anil
the cheers of the crowd the train pu!let out
TOR GsIesburx.
The Pr sident's train was pulled hy an
engine in ehsrse of engineer Frank Hilton.
who was a member of the Presidents old
brigade. Near Galssburg, the President,
with Secretary Tray, on invitation Of Eo-
gineer Htl,en, moun,ed the er gine sni rode
Ia the cab with the engineer for few
mills. To the President the engineer
gracefully yielded the responsibility of pull
Jog the whistle for stations and crossing,
and the fireman con usiderstely turned over
the bell rope TO Secretary Tracy.
The pri clpal event Of the day was the
reunion at Gslesbnrg of the First Brigade
Third Division, 20ih army corps, the form
er command OF Gen. Harrison. The oc
cssion was gathering not only of veterans
who were formerly associated with the pres
dent, but of G. A. X. men from sections of
the Wet Excursions from all the princi-
pal cities went In radius Of 800 miles ad-
ded to the assemblsge and the audiencs
gre etsd Pm sident Harrison At Gslesbarg AS
estimated WAS not less that $4,000.
A, the depot the presidential party was
met by the msyor of the city. the council
and an array of veterans, and eseor ed TO
the hotel where in an hours reception, dis
tinguished citizer. from all psit, Of the
Al Wsst I'D fba Pre- aifttsF
The decorations throughout tie city were
profuse and elaborate.
The stand from which the President ,e-
vie wed the old brigade was a lofty structure
desgle to initiate block stone bedecked
with faqs. On the top Of each of the pill
la-s which supported the srch over the
stand a young lady stood, inpersonatng
the goddess Of liberty.
Shortly after eleven there passed in re-
view of the Presdan; 10 front of tie stand,
veterans OF the 20th army corps. $500
childr of Central Illinois AMI thsusanis
of citizens.
Az the conclusion of the parade the party
repaired 10 the speakers stand in front OF
tie cout house, whore Mayor Stevens
made an address of welcome. Presi1ent
Harrison responded bri, fly. To the old
veterans ssembled he extended the greeting
Of a comrade Tie President studously
avoide politics in his address He state
| chat on such an occasion as this, partici
pated in by men of al shades of opinion
lie VT uld not utter a word to mar the har'
mony. The President was followed b
Sc cre.a'y Tracfy ia brief speech.
Secretary Tracy thaukei the people for
their magnificent reception and welcome
ard extended his congratulations to the
people Of Illinois on their prosperity. Gen
Grosrenor of Ohio, sni Others followed
Tracy. At the concusion of speech max
ing the column formed ard the President
rccs, ded to Knox Co lege across the street
where the coratr stone of the new hall was
lail.
DIR. Newton B.teman, president of kn1x
College. pronou1c,d the invocs'i)n. and
Prot NJ ton Comstock read sketch of
the ori gin and growth of the ctllese. Prof.
+ ] Adams Introduced the President. who
spoke The corner stone was p aced in
position AID the Presden. closed it and
covered the seams with mortar. The party
,psired to the hotel for dinner.
At O'Clock a reunion Of the First
Brig ,dc WAS held At the Opera Hous'. TIC
this 1t was found imperative TO admit onls
the OLD veterans ard their immedists fam
| lies, ard even thtn the Opera House was
slmos, insd' quafs. The appearance of the
Preside n; o1 the stage was the oocasi N fol
an outburst of cheers from the assembled
vetera's. Gen. Dustin called the mt e,ine
to order PresIden. Harrison addressed
the vetersns AT the conc 'usion Of the
Presidents remarks the applause brough
Gen. Dustin to the front That gsntlemao
spoke briefly; after which the Presiden'
announced his desire to shake each membel
of bis former command by the hand Affel
adjournment the veterans mounted The stsgs
and grssped the Presidents hand.
Th 3 evening the President ate dsd {
banquet given by the Phi Delta Theta So
ciety at College Hall aud later a bsrque
given by the First Brigade at the Fra
/ Christian Church.