Omaha daily bee., 1896-06-19
VISITED BY THE PRESIDENT
Harrison Holds a Reception in The Bee
Building.
THOUSANDS MEET HIM IN THE ROTUNDA
Major Mckinley, While Making 4
Tour OF the West. Calls at
Mr.. R~osewater's Edi-
toriaI study.

When President Harrison and party Wis
tied Omaha May 10, 1892, one of the most
notable events was the reception in The Bee
building. The party consisted of President
Harrison, Secretary Wanamaker, Secretary
Rusk. Mrs. Mckee and Mrs. Dimmick, now
the wife Of the er-president. They arrived
in the city shortly after II o'clock, and
were driven at once to a stand erected on
the court house grounds, where addresses
were delivered by the president, Secretaries
Wanamaker and Rusk in addition TO a
speech of welcome by Mayor Cushing. I'M
mediately after the conclusion of these ad-
dresses the party started for The Bee build
ing. The street was a solid mass Of hui
manity, but with the aid of the police a
passage was cleared for the presidential
party. As soon as these had entered the
building there was a rush by the crowd
to get inside, and in a few seconds the
spacious rotunda was packed to its ut
most capacity.
In its everyday garb this rotunda, with
its chaste ornamentation and pure white
walls is a beautiful sight, but it was doubly
beautiful on this occasion. The marble
STEPS leading up TO the floor above on the
north side Of the rotunda were one solid
bank OF palms, ferns and ported plants. the
green and bright colors of the flowers being
blended in a most artistic manner From
the arch above were draped two large Ameri-
can flags and pendant from the keystone
of the arch was suspended a national shield
with stars OF silver. The marble stills of the
windows Of the rooms opening into the
court were filled with potted plans and
flowers.
On the panels on the east and west side
of the walls nearest the arch were out
lined on the pure white surface heart-shaped
shields made of braided strips OF the ma
tionai coiors. In one of these hung
eral Grant, and in the other a
hne steel engraving Of Abraham Lincoln.
AT the second story on the south side OF
the court was another shield surmounted
with flowers. and above this was a bust OF
TIE martyred president. The third story
is one OF the most artistic in the building.
The large openings between the corinthian
pillars are filled in with a bronze rail. and
from this rail and also draped from
the classic pillars were festOons of national
nags, passing entirely around the court in
graceful waves OF red, white and blue.
From the middle of each rail hung a broad
scarf OF satin terminating in a cord and
From the upper stories also hung
OF the national cOlors. In no
Instance did the drapery or decoration hide
the beauty of the court itself, but rather
by its grace and the artistic combination
'f colors frightened and enhanced il.
In the northwest angle OF the court had
been spread a large velvet rug, and on this
he president and party were stationed,
While the throng passed by in single hle
lager TO shake the presidential hand. First
anne Senator's Henderson and Paddock. ex-
Congressman Dorsey, Governor Thayer.
General Brooke and the officers OF the De-
artment OF the Platte, Edward |
.dit0r Of The Bee, and a large number I
Il the prominent citizens Of the city and
raUa Vha rananFfnn 1aasaA FhsrYwv .E-,V.
.nd judging from the rate at which the
hrong was kept moving it was estimated
ully 5000 people greeted the chief execu-
i've OF the nation. During all the time
he people were pressing forward in the
inc the galleries overlooking the court
gere crowded and the scene as witnessed
rom this point OF vantage was a brilliant
ne.
After the conclusion of the public re-
option the party repaired to the editorial
ooms. where a short time was spent in
conversation, the president and