Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-10-08
GEST AT HOME.
An Effort to Get Up a Demonstra.
ton in His Behalf.
curiosity Seekers and Others Ont To
see the show-What was Said and
Fomised-Hope sui Lingering.

For the last few days the Union was
undecided what to do in the way of peak
ing about MIR. Gest's coming home. 1t
wanted to talk about the grandiioo uence
OF his reception and tell what great out
pouring there would be, but such course
would be treading upon dangerous
ground. III there could have been any
certainty that the people would enthuse
aye. there's the rub-woulj they en-
thuse2 Would they turn out wearing
their hearts upon their sleeves, as l. were.
and make the air resound with their
shouts as they called the clans toge her in
this year of jubilee? To say that all this
would be done and then to have {, fizzle
would be confusion worse COMPOUNDED, so
1t was better to say nothing but work like
beavers and trust in providence ard
colored lights. SO providence was trust, d
and colored lights were bought.
From an Elm street druggist, an active
republican campaigner purchased six doll
lars worth of chemical stuff for colored
lights, to be put up in half pound pack
ages. These packages were distributed
gratuitously to the democrats who lived
In the vicinity of the Rock Island station
at which Mr.. Gest was to arrive. This
stuff was to be burned as long rs it held
out to show to the world that even the
democrats were rejoicing at Mr. Gests
being at home-snd no doubt they were.
They had been wishing that very thing
Tor the past ten months. When the train
pulled in the small boys who were sup.
piled with the blue and green stuff 'let
her go Gallagher, and the usual "Ki-yi's'
resounded. -Four carriages were waiting
for Mr.. Gest. These contained he faith
tul, and as they wended their way through
the streets down town they were followed
by no procession or parade. The last
carriage of the four contained one soil
tsry individual-Only one-and he must
and, only not so happy. At the head of
the Flambesu club marched Boss Wells,
knocking Solomon into cooked hat as
be strobe along arrayed in all his glory.
When Market square was reached Judge
Wilkinson made some Introductory re-
marks. most of which he read from man
uscript, in which he told who the man
was they were trying to honor and added
considerable about the labors il congress.
In the dim light. however, the judge
couldn't resd his paper very we'll and the
people were impatient. not car ng to hear
kinley Il Company, and finally Mr.. Gest
arose. Did the people cheer7 Not they.
One might as we'll have looked for cheer
at funeral. Old timers who were used
to Mr.. Gest's Orations said it was the
greatest effort of his life, and it truly
seemed to be an effort sll the W sy through.
AS his remarks were short they can be
easily reproduced. He thanked the peo-
pie for coming out to meet him. He wss
glad he was home. He knew he was home
when he struck the county. He felt he
was home when he struck Chicago. He
didn't expect any outpouring ike this.
He would shake hands all round the next
few weeks-would have to He didn't
intend to talk politics. To General Hem
derson belongs the credit of the Hennepin
canal. He did more than anyone else
than all combined. He would get him to
come here and everybody would be
Chicago about the canal who had been
instructed to look after the work, and he
! said that as soon as they could get ready
| the work would begin The first thing is
| to build a lock and dam at Milan; then
| secure right of way. BE worked day
and night for the canal himself. He
made no speech. That was not good
| policy. be said Some of he others said
something, but as for himself he did his
| ldlhiDS Ou tic Outstut- D-lDTt the SleC-
ton he wanted to talk to the people here
| in plain. old fashioned way because he
had been nominated for a third term, and
he would 90 in and win if that were pos
sible. He would have TO do it or the
people would kick him. But. he said,
in conclusion, Il have wife and babies
at home that l must go and see. and |
want you all to come along"
He sat down, and as ne did so there
fell over the assembled crowd a peace
that passeth all understanding. Many
had been waiting for Mr.. Gest to define
his position or to explain his reasons fol-
sancuoning by his vote The iniauities oil
the late congress, but upon all thess
matters he was as dumb as an oyster, anC
instead Of dwelling upon dams at Milan
other kinds of dsmns were uttered. The
torch bearers gathered themselves to-
gether, the carriage con tanning Mr. GEES
moved away, and the people were asking
each other. what did he ssyf" The Og
lesby pOwswOw was bad enough surely
but this reception of Gest was all tina
could be looked fora funeral