The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-10-24
BRYAN IN ILLINOIS.
Crowds OF Curiosity Seekers as Large
as Usual.
The Gold Badges Also Noticeable-A Nov
ing Platform, Motor Carriages and Lots
of Spectacular Features.

The Gold Badges Also Noticeable-A Nov
ing Platform, Motor Carriages and Lots
of Spectacular Features.
Charleston. ILL.,, October 23.-William
J.kBryan's struggle for Illinois began
early this morning under lowering skies
and In an atmosphere that chilled to the
bone. His initial speech of the Illinois
campaign began at Danville, 1t was only
Q. 80 whom Mr.. Bryan arrived here, but
the town and countryside had turned out
to meet him and about 5000 people were
gathered In the court house square where
the speaking took place.
A wild demonstration occurred when
Mr. Bryan appeared and the enthusiasm
broke forth again several times during
his remarks.
1t was 80 when Harris Was reached:
There Mr.. Bryan was cordially welcomed
by. between 5000 md 1000 people. During
the twenty minutes spent there Mr..
Bryan made speech from the balcony Of
the COURT house and was vigorously
oheered.
AocnsuT. Ai1ss OoeOU0r d0.-1D was Tdlu-
ing when Bryan reached Charleston to-
day. Beside the car was . big decoraeo
platform. When MIR. and Mrs. Bryan
stepped upon it, the structure to their
| surprise, began to move up tire street. II
was big wagon covered with boards
and drawn by horses. Four thousand
people heard the candidate speak and
| ohsered him loudly.
At Mattoon Mr.. Bryan addressed 5000
nonn1o Ira hA vi mi
ty of Matroon was pressed into service to
| assist the several sets OF silver-clad young
men to carry out the symbolization Of IL
| to !. Several golden queens, each with
16 silver maids of honor, were Obliged to
putSupstheir umbrellas and flee from the
rain that began to fall as the candidate
stepped from his train. Mr.. Bryan de-
voted part of bis remarks to the praise
of Gov. Altgsld.
At Sullivan 1000 people were waiting
for Mr.. Bryan. Senator Allison was
expected later and in preparation for
his ooming,R q mum ber of those who heard
Mr.. Bryan's speech were decorated with
orange badges. A stop of minute was
made at Bethany, whore small crowd
heard few words from the candidate.
The hesrties5 sort of y reception was
given Mr.. Bryan az Decautar by the
| crowds of people. A motor carriage was
the vehicle In which Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan
were conveyed to the first meeting place,
| the court house square. So dense was
| the mass Of humanity there that pas
sage way could not be opened from the
carriage to the platform and Mr.. Bry an
was obliged to make an address from
the vehicle. The enthusiasm was great.
There was much confusion and com.
paratively few of the 90, 900 in the audi
ence heard him. It was the same story
over again at the second meeting place.
Springfield, October 23.-Bryan's pres
ence here for an hour this afternoon was
made the occasion of asgreat demonstra-
tion in his homo r. ALI alonga the line o1
march. over which Mr.. Bryan was escort
ed by many organizations, numbering
1000 persons he and his wife were cheered
| Fifteen Thousand people heard Bryar
from the steps of the court house, ani
cheered vigorously at every opportunity
When he adffnishedr there he was taker
to the State House .and made anothe
spec b to an @audience equally as larg,
| and quite as demo nstrative. Thre,
speeches were made by Mr.. Bryan OF
| his trip from Springfield to Peoria
There were 5000 people at Petersburg
about 5000 at Havana and 1000 at PeKin