The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-07-14
Rode in the Regular Car With
Other Passengers.
ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE
The Greatest Demonstration was at
Champaign and MIR. Bryan There
Made his First Campaign
Speech.

Salem. H., July 13.-There was no
ostentation or display made by w. y.
BRYAN. the Democratic Presidential
nominee, on his trip to-day from Chi
cago to this, the town of his nativity.
He bought tickets for himself and
wife at the Illinois Central depot and
there was no special car provided. The
man upon whom the Democratic
party thrust the greatest honor with
in its power rode in a Pullman coach
on regular train and every passenger
on board the train had access to the
car and nearly every one of them came
back and shook hands with Mr.. Bryan
and his wife and expressed to them
their good wishes and congratulations.
There was no demonstration at the
Park Row depot when Mr.. Bryan and
his wife left Chicago Mr.. and Mrs.
Bryan rode to the depot in cab few
minutes before time for the train to
depart. A few people recognized Mr..
BRYAN and exercised the privilege OF
all American citizens towards candl-
dates or public officers by shaking
his hand
The first stop after leaving Chicago
was Kankakee. Fully 1000 citizens
had assembled around the depot and
were eagerly waiting for a chance to
catch a glimpse of the Democratic
nominee. The State insane asylum
band was playing THE Star Spangled
Banner when the train pulled into the
depot There was general rush from
all sides as every one seemed deter
mined to grasp the Democratic lead
er's hand. The train only stopped
five minutes, but in that time Mr..
Bryan was a decidedly busy man. Just
1zafn hn f1sai G fartad fhnra
cries of speech from all parts of
the crowd and some enthusiasts car
ried a huge dry goods box over the
heads of the people, upon which they
intended to place Mr.. Bryan that he
might talk to them all. But before
they reached him the conductor called
'All aboard" and the train pulled out
much to the disappointment OF the
assembled citizens.
The little town of Paxton was the
next stop, and as Mr.. Bryan alighted
from the car stalwart veteran, with
long gray hair and flowing white
beard, pressed his way to the front
and grasped the Presidential candi-
date by the hand. Il knew it would
come to this some day, Bill" he said.
''I knew your father before you were
born, and | have watched you from
the time you used to kick up the dust
in the streets of Salem with your bare
feet. And | have always said that you
would be great man some day..
The people at Rantout were given
but three minutes in which to shake
hands with the new leader of the Dem
-ocratic party. The town has only 1000
inhabitants and at least two-thirds of
them were at the depot to greet Mr..
and 20 pnfbucI cfIn1iiY
cheered. When Mr.. Bryan boarded
the train he turned about on the plat
form in response to loud calls for
speech. He raised both hands and in
stantly there was a silence. IF you
vote next November as you should i
will be sure to be elected" The bell
on the engine began to clang, the train
moved away and the assembled citizens
roared with delight.
Champaign gave the greatest demon
stration of the trip. The streets were
blocked with vehicles and people in
every direction from the depot. There
was military band and nearly every
one of the thousand of the people car
Tied flag. "A committee represent
ing the citizens of Champaign, county
and city, were at the depot to meet the
distinguished man from Nebraska.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan were escorted to
a temporary platform which had been
erected on a floor which stood on "A
side track. 1t was draped with bunt-
ing and flowers. There was an oya-
tion of handclapping and cheers when
Mr.. Bryan stepped to the front of the
platform. He was introduced to the
crowd of citizens by Col. j. S. Wolf, a
venerable old gentleman bearing a
strong resemblance to Gladstone When
quiet was restored Mr.. Bryan said:
Fellow citizens: / believe that |
have not visited this city since 1879"
(Cries of Good boy, Bryan and great
applause.) ''In that year | was a stu
dent at the Illinois college and we had
contest, / think an intercollegiate
contest, held in this city at your coll
lege, and it was my good fortune to be
present and meet some of your people
and that is the last time. and l believe
the first time, that / have been here or
passed through here.
Il am not going TO make a political
speech this afternoon. / have just