Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-24
TEXAS EXHIBIT CARS.
MEETING WITH GRAND RECEP.
TONS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Governor Hubbard's Speech in Illinois.
MANY People Who Desire Change
VIII Come to the Lone sta State.
On BOARD THE EXHIBIT CARS,
u A 4 I 4 l. l..
Editor Gazette.

On BOARD THE EXHIBIT CARS,
HAVANA, Ill, Aug IL 1891
Editor Gazette.
The Texas exhibit cars were at Peters
burg, H., when last wrote You. At that
place, Texas on wheels met with a grand
reception from the hOspitable citizens of
that lovely little city. There we found an
old eX-COnfederate who, Notwithstanding
his connection with the rebellion, is and
has been circuit clerk the past twenty
Years. His name is Theo. Bennett, and he
could not do enough for the Texas party.
The cars remained there two days and dur
ing that time many thousands of persons
passed through them and viewed the
splendid products of the Southwestern
empire. On the last night OF our stay ex-
Governor Hubbard delivered Il lecture on
industrial Texas" Governor Hubbard
campaigncd through Illinois in 1881 and
made many friends Us well Is reputation as
an orator. and therefore there was a large
audience TO hear him. He was introduced
by Col y. =. Bronson, prospective caudi-
date for nomination on the Republican
ticket for governor OF Illinois. Introducing
Governor Hubbard, he paid glowing tri
butte to the great state Of Texas. character
iZing the exhibit and the state as unique,
and presented the governor to the audience
as one of the foremost men and orators Of
the South. His Introductory address
i broad gaugeu statesman of high order.
in opening his address, Governor Hubbard
thanked Col. Bronson IN Il most feeling
manner for his kindly and patriotic senti-
meut and assured him that next 10 q Demo
crat. he would rather see him governor of
Illinois than any man living.
Continuing. he assured the people Of the
magnificent state Of Illinois that this was
not crusading tour, for if 1t was some
less favored spot would have been chosen,
but there was in every state certain
overflow of population who would 90 some
where, either to the North or to the South.
and 1t was to get our share of them, and to
show the great advantages of our section
and products that brought Us among them.
He further assured the audience that his
visit had no political significance, that he
was alone singing the praises of Texas.
The entire address was replete with facts
and figures relative to Texas, interspersed
with just sufficient anecdotes to keep the
audience in good huMOr.
While ut ers5urg our party visited
the site of the former home of Lincoln, and
where once stood the town of New Salem.
Nothing now remains to mark the spot of
the once home of the martyred president
save 4 hole in the ground where the cellar
of the house was, and pile of stones, the
last remains of the chimney. The town of
New Salem, itself, has long since disap-
litlltO. iLlb liIC Ills lpi II op-I NlltIt LII
coin lived and became lawyer is now u
cow pasture. Some genius, to perpetuate
the spot where LiucOln's house
once stood, has cut high up in 4
sycamore tree that grows out of the old
cellar vignette of the president. But
even this was not saved, for some vandal
without fear of the present or hereafter
has shot the face full OF holes. Just under
the hill is the site of the historic old mill
and dam which Lincoln helped to build.
and it was from this spot that he once
sailed in a fiat boat down the SangamOn
river on trading trip 10 Orleans which
proved successful, rs history tells us. Only
ii short distance from the town site of New
Salem Is the cemetery where lies buried
Ann Rutledge, the first and only love of
Lincoln. When she died he became so dis
consulate and Respondent that he had to be
watched, lest he might make away with
himself. He recovered from the shock of
her death. but was never again the bright
cheerful man that he was before her death.
We left Peters burg on the morning of the
18th, our destination being Sprinetield, the
capital of the state. At this place there
were number of large gatherings being
held: the military encampment, the tenn
perance gathering with St. John and his
satellites, and an encampment OF all the labor
organizations of the state. Here again the
exhibit cars We're visited by thousands of
people who went away delighted with what
they saw. 1t goes without saving that this
method of advertising the state will be pro-
life of practical results. On every side is
heard the comment and wonder of visitors
at our splendid products, besides many say
that they are coming to Texas. While in
Springfield Senators Palmer, PETER and
other distinguished gentlemen called on
Gov. II. at his hotel where he was confined
on account of slight illness. Before we left
IN ,.it roIlaI L. =.
executive mansion. The greeting between
the two distinguished gentlemen was warm
in the extreme. Gov. Fifer told the Texas
ex-governor that he had very high regard
for Texas and an especially warm feeling
for the South, as he himself was Virgin
ian by birth. Gov. H. remarked that his
mission was not in the nature of q crusade
but by gentle and persuasive methods TO en-
deavor to get some OF the overflow 10 move
TO Texas; that Illinois was grand state
and any one with home was fool to leave
it; that many of the original settlers Were
from Illinois, and liking the sample we
wanted more of them. He also assured
Governor tifer thai Texas stood ready TO
welcome all. irrespective of political or re-
hgious belief. Governor Fifer stated that
he was profoundly impressed with the pos
sibilities and magnitude of Texas. and part
ing remarked: There is no occasion any
longer for sectionalism to exist in our COM
mon country"
In calling on the governor, Governor Hub
bard was accompanied by w. B. Slosson.
director of the exhibit, and T A Wilkin-
son of the Rio Grande railway, all of whom
met with warm reception.
Our party with the exhibit train left
Springfield last evening and arrived here
the capital of Mason county, about dark
Our coming had been advertised and again
the cars were crowded all day
Governor Hubbard, Col. Slosson and Mr..
Wilkinson are addressing large crowds at
the courthouse on Industrial Texas, and are
doing q grand work for the Lone Star
state.
A lady remarked to the writer: II don't
see how you ever came to think of this
method of advertising your state. have
seen some good things to-day, but the best
is the exhibit cars
Thus it goes, and the good work goes
steadily on. The results of this expert
ment will repay the investors thousand
fold. and the lucky ones are those who are
IN it ". B. S.