The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-07-16
TALKS rbFOLD FRIENDS
Presidential Candidate Bryan at
Salem, Ills.
BIG CELEBRATION IN THE TOWN

Thousands of People Arrive on Excursion
Trains, In Wagons and ON Foot All ADx-
ious to See the Man Who Was Nomins-
ted for the Presidency by the Democrat"
ic cConvention-HeavyR Rsinstorm Partly
Interferes with the Celebration.
SALEM, Ills, July 16.-Wagons loaded
with farmers from the surrounding conn
try began TO arrive early at dawn Wednes-
day 70 attend the Bryan celebration and
by MONDAY the hitching racks around the
business center Of the town and all the
feed yards and livery stables were crowd
ed. And they came in on excursion trains
from neighboring towns and adjoin-
ing counties to take part in the great eel
ebration given in the afternoon and even
ing in honor Of William Jennings Bryan
the Democratic nominee for president, who
81 years ago first saw the light Of day in
thi{duiet, sleepy old country town. In
response to the proclamation issued by
the mayor Tuesday all business houses in
the city were abundantly decorated with
Gags and bunting and portraits Of the dis
tinguished visitor. And nearly all the
dwelling houses were decorated with
patriotic emblems and flowers and sprigs
of evergreen.
Tinkle of Sleigh Bells.
At the corners of all the principal streets
enterpridng citizens had erected lemonade
stands and ice cream booths, which lux
uries they dispensed to the sweltering
multitude at cents a drink and 10 cents
dish. Nearly all the vehicles that ran
through the streets were adorned with
stars and stripes, and some of the more
enthusiastic drivers of teams dragged out
from the dust and corners of the barns
strings of sleigh bells that have hung
there since the last snow melted away,
and fastened them To the horses The
merry tinkle of these bells in the
scorching rays of the hot July sun was "A
cruel reminder of the cold, bracing air in
which they originally were intended to be
used The ladies of Salem and the sur
rounding country-and there are many of
them and nearly all of them are hand
some-displaycd their loyalty for the
presidential nominee by appearing in
white dresses, with red or blue sashes and
white caps, and over the visor OF each was
printed in silver letters William j
Bryan"
violent storm Occnrs.
About noon big black cloud loomed
up in the northwest. 1t approached with
| frightful rapidity. There We're terrific
peals of thunder, and there was scatter
| ing of people in every direction to get out
Of the fast approaching rain Many of the
people became panic stricken, as they still
had an unpleasant recollection of the aw-
full cyclone which passed through this
| region few weeks ago, when st. Louis
l was almost ruined. Many of the1teams
driven 90 town by farmers became fright
| ened and tried TO break loose from the
hitching rack about the square, so for
| time it looked as If a general stampede
would result. At length the rain broke
| and it came down in torrents. All the
| while there was "a continuous flashing of
| lightning, followed by an uproariOus
booming Of thunder In the space of ten
| minutes the bunting, flags, and draping of
| buildings, which had looked so attractive
| I'm the morning, were bedraggled and al
most ruined
The Rain Ceases.
1t was after o'clock in the afternoon
before the rain ceased. Then the crowd
came out from the stores, tavcrns and 9th
er places of shelter and again began 10
| gather beneath the trees i'm the courthouse
| yard. The numerous country bands that
| had come from the neighboring towns
with Bryan clubs began To play such in
| spring tunes as White Wings, Com
| rades, (" Marching Through Georgia" and
| Dixie" The hustle and excitement that
| prevailed in the early morning was re
newcd A big banner upon which was
fastened portrait of the Democratic
nominee was placed over the platform
| Beneath it was the motto: Bryan Bring.
| Silver-Success When IL was broughV
| forward the crowd indulged in some en-
| thusiastic cheering.
Bryan Presented.
| At2:i5 il was announced that the dis
| tinguished ''son of salem was approach
ing All the bands started in afresh, the
| crowd howled like mad. This kept up
| until Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Were seated on
the platform. When quiet was restored
the Hon l.. NJ. Kagy introduced the Rev
b. Young of the NJ. f. church who
prayed for the blessing Of the God of
| Washington, jefferson, jackson and Lin
coin Mr. Bryan was then presented to
| the audience amidst uproarous applause
Several times during the speech Mr..
Bryan showed by the huskiness of his
voice that he was deeply moved. There
| were many Of the former neighbors and
friends who frequently applied their hand
| kerchiefs To their eyes.
-..l.I