Evening journal., 1891-02-10

Disaster.
stf Correspondence EVENING JoURSAI.
MDDLETowN, Feb. 10 John Preston
DanniRg OF the Associated Press staff,
San Francisco, Cal, and the correspond.
ent who wrote the famous account OF the
marine disaster at Samoa. was rendered a
rousiDg reception by the people Of this
town and state lsat evening. The occa-
sion was planned and carried out by
Major John Jones Post No %. G. A. r. !,
OF this town, and was a grand success.
The Opera House was packed to the
doors, notwithstanding the unpropitious
weather, and by 8 o'clock there was
hardly standing room ia the building
The stage was beautifully decorated with
flowers. flags and bunting, and two
stacks Of arms stood on the sides Of the
stage In the centre was a large portrait
Of Major John Jones for whom the post
was named, aud who was Mfr. Dunning's
grandfather.
1T o'clock the invited guests fled
out on the stage and, as Mr. Dunning
appeared. the Middletown Orchestra
, struck up "Home Again The audience
then gave vent to its delight ia storm
OF applause to which the famous Young
newspaper man was obliged to bow re-
peatedly Hon. Henry A Eowiand Of
Middletown, presided at the m-eting,
and made brief address of introduc-
ton in which he stated that he greatly
regretted the fact that such an enjoyable
occasion should be msrred by s rain
storm, preventing the people from the
surrounding country, who we're eager 20
hear the young Delawarean and to grasp
mis- hand once more. He presented to the
audience Hon n B. Smitbers Of Dover,
under whom Mr. Dunning studied law,
and his choice remarks we're frequently
interrupted by loud applause.
Mr.. Smithers referred with the highest
praise to the bright young man, who
had entered bis office with the idea Of
becoming . bsrrister It was "Pres.
Dunning he said, and he worked as
diligently as any boy, with limited
education could Afterwards he had
gone ont into the world, tasted poverty
and adversity, and returned to bis native
state as the famous John p Dunning.
still the same "Pres. Dunning' notwith
standing Such q demonstration as this
would not make "pfes. Dunning' feel at
all naughty or greater, but would draw
him nearer to the hearts Of his many
old friends.
Mr.. Smithers then led Dunning to the
front Of the stage, amid deafening ap-
piause ana introduced him as the same
old Press Dunning who bad played about
Middletowns streets Mr. Dunning
said
Il am not prepared 20 fulfill the re.
ouirements OF the introduction which
my dear old friend and perceptor has
given me. Ny heart is oveTaowing with
gratitude at this occasion of such a
meeting with my old friends and school
mates Many times during my long alb.
sence have looked back on my Joyous
boyhood days. my surroundings and as
sociRtes, and many times have I with
eager impatience, looked forward to tue
time when could again look into their
faces Little did dream that ! would be
called upon to meet them in this manner
| appreciate this reception much greater
than can ind words TO tell you about IL
''it would be much more of pleasure
to me If / could tell of ny earlier life in
this state, and talk about my old friend:
and neighbors. but | am here to night
under a contract with the g. A E Post
to describe some Of my experiences il
Samoa Since I returned from those far
off Islands. I have been called upon e.
tell Of, or write about this so much that
have many times grown weary OF the
whole snbiect, but as il is something that
everybody should hear about I will not
deprive these old soldiers and my friends
from hearing something Of it. "
Mr. Danning then described his arriva
on the islands. his impression OF tins
| natives. and their customs and habits
I E-TI = hn r.FN k, u,
/ to look after the interests Of Americs
England and Germany, Of the conduct OF
the natives toward the soldiers and theil
bravery in time OF need. His remarks
were replete with humorous anecdotes
that excited roars Of laughter.
/ The greatest effort Of the oration, how
ever, was his description of the terrible
| marine disaster, the like Of which was
never heard of in the annals of any coun
try His description was even more
| graphic than his immortal story, and a!
the young journalist walked to aud frC
over the stage and reeited the scene ol
the awful loss of human life, he waxec
warm on his subject, a1d his powerful
delivery had such a thrilling effect on hi:
audience, that almost every eye in th'
house became dim witb'tears Mr. Dunning
used the simplest words In his descrip-
tion of the rigging elements and his own
countrymen perishing right before hi
ewes. but il was an unoeRsing dow 81
beautiful language and made the thrill
ling narrative almost as vivid as if thu
audience had been eye-witnesses.
But when the speaker recited the
many patriotic incidents of that eventfU
day the audience became almost wild Will
enthusiasm and cheered Justify. HI
told of the sinking Of the Leipsic, anS
while the English gunboat Calliope was
steaming out of the harb0r, the perishiny
| Americans cheered with all their strength
and were answered by stronger cheer
from the Englishmen. When the 30l
souls on board the Vandalia had climbed
into the rigging for their lives, and wer
bruised and bleeding, aud about TO Civ
up, the band on the stranded steame
Trenton struck up ''Star Spangled Ban.
ner, ana the air was filed with thu
cheers from hundreds of hoaTss throats
The Trenton's flag was run up and. tn
cheering was increased until the dying
seamen were exhausted and sunk beneat'
the maddened waves.
When the powerful oration was finishes
and Mr. Dunning sat down, there wa
tumultous applause and the people Of thi
place were more proud of their hoy
than ever before When the exercise
were over the post held an open cam
fire. Mr.. Dunning received his oil
friends on the stage. Supper was the
served in the rear of the hall and th
following tossts were responded to: 9TH
Grand Army of the Republic, Peter I
Ayars; "Our Guest, a blue hen