The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-09
Reunion Of the First Brigade, Thir-
ty-Sixth Division, Twentieth
Army Corps.
President Harrison, it's Former
Commander, Was the Guest
Of Honor.
Popular Demonstrations and Pleasurable
acknowledgements At Peoria and
Galesburg-In the Cab.

not early enough to escape the thousands
of eager Peorians who had assembled
around the hotel in that city struggling fol
a sight of the distinguished visitor. Al
seven o'clock band serenaded the presi.
dent, and a few minutes later the mayor
and city council. accompanied by the g. A.
r. posts and company Of the Illinois
National guard, escorted the party to the
train. The march was triumphal one
all Peoria turning out to do homage to the
chief executive. At the depot over 5000
people were assembled, and the president,
being introduced by Mayor Starke, spoke
as follows: my fellow-citizens: It is moi
possible that should introduce this morn.
ing any serious theme. I have greatly en-
joyed this trip through my old state and
yours. They are sisters in loyalty and in
their sacrifice for the union; they are sisters
also in prosperity and honor [applause]
and I find myself simply saying Thank
you,' but with an increasing sense of the
kindness of the people. If anything
could add to the solemn sense of the
responsibility which my official oath places
upon me it would be these evidences OF
friendliness and confidence. The great
mass of the people of this country are loyal,
loving, dutiful citizens, ready to support
every faithful officer in the discharge of his
duty and to applaud every honest effort for
their good. It is source of great strength
to know this, and this morning, not less
than from this bright sunshine and this
crisp Illinois air than from these kindly
faces, draw forth inspiration to do what I
%t1n hooA 10 ~ L.
good of the people of the United States.
Applause. Igo to- day to meet with some
old comrades of your state, who stood with
me in the great army of the union for the
defense of the flag" Applause.
At the conclusion Of the presidents ad-
dress Elsie Leslie Lyde, the child actress of
Little Lord Fauntleroy fame. presented the
of the g. A. Il. posts and the citizens of
Peoria. The president expressed his thanks
by kissing the little lady, and amid the
cheers of the crowd the train pulled out for
Galesburg. .s
Al Peoria the presidential party was met
by delegation from Galesburg ON special
train. When near Galesburg the president,
after according reception to the old vet
Grams on board, went forward with Score
tary Tracy and greeted Engineer Hilton,
who was member of the presidents brig
ade. On invitation of the engineer the
president and Secretary Tracy mounted the
engine and rode in the cab with the en-
glneer for some miles. To the president
the engineer gracefully yielded the respon-
slbility of pulling the whistle for stations
and crossings, and the fireman consider
ately turned over the bell rope to Secretary
Tracy.
The principal event of the day was the
reunion at GalesburR of the first brigade
of the thirty-sixth division of the twentieth
army corps, the former command of Gen.
Harrison. The occasion was the gather
ing not only of old veterans formerly asso-
ciated with the president. but OF Grand
Army men from all sections of the west.
Excursions from all cities within radius
Of 800 miles added to the assemblage, and
it was estimated that the audience which
greeted President Harrison at Gales
burg was not less than 25 600. lAt the depot
the presidential party was met by the
mayor, city council and an army of veterans
and was escorted to the hotel, wherein an
hours reception of distinguished citizens
from all parts of the state and the west
greeted the president.
The decorations throughout the city were
profuse, and upon the arch on the reviewing
stand beneath which the president stood
were the words: 1--WE Welcome Our Presi-
dent Shortly after II O'Clock there passed
in review the veterans of the Twentieth
army corps, 2.5OO school children of central
Illinois and thousands of citizens. Among
the distinguished people on the stand were
Adjutant General Vance, of Illinois, who
appeared as the representative of Governor
Flfer, who was unable to leave his official
duties; Secretary of State Pierson, Mayor
Stevens, congressman Post and Henderson,
Gen. Arthur A. Smith, Gen. Miles, U. 3. A.,
and Gen, Dustin, department commander
Of the G. A. r. Of Illinois.
At the conclusion of the parade the party
repaired to the speakers stand in front of
the court house, where Mayor Stevens well
coined the president to Galesburg in a
somewhat lengthy speech.