The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-07-15

SALEM. ILL.,, July 14-It has been
arranged for Bryan to drive this after
noon to Centralia, southwest Of here,
where demonstrations will be given to-
night. 1t is Bryan's wish to remain
quiet today, but the people OF Centra1ia
made arrangements for a display in his
honor and he finally consented to go. A
big demonstration will be held here
tomorrow and tomorrow night.
The citizens of Salem have been in
a state of activity all day in prepara-
ton for the grand demonstration to
be given tomorrow. Every tree on
every street and in every yard, is
being whitewashed in response to
proclamation issued by the mayor Of
the city, which was pasted on all the
dead walls of the town and circulated
among the residents. The proclama-
ton bears the likeness of Mr.. Bryan
at the head and reads as follows:
Whereas, Hon. William j. Bryan, a
former resident of this city, has been
nominated for the presidency of the
United States; and
Whereas, He is about to return
here for short visit to his relatives
and friends;
Therefore. I. John Lakin, Mayor of
the city of Salem, do most respectfully
request that all business houses aud
residences be suitable decorated in his
honor during his stay in our midst
JOHN LAKIN, Mayor"
When Mr.. Bryan had finished his
dinner he took his children and went
down to
THE HOUSE IN WHICH HE WAS
BORN
and had his photograph taken. He
then returned to the home of his aunt
where he remained until train time.
The taking of his photograph caused
considerable excitement in Salem and
men and women gathered about to
watch the proceedings When it was
over they all shook hands with Mr..
Bryan and some of the old men took
occasion to tell him how they had
watched him from his youth up and
how they always did believe he was
bound to be great. Every day one
hears amusing stories of Judge Bryan,
Mr.. Bryan's father The Judge appears
to have been a vigorous old fellow.
and in many ways rather eccentric.
According to Colonel T. e. Merritt,
who is a brother of General Wesley
Merritt, United States army-Judge
Bryan was dangerously i'll shortly af-
ter reaching Illinois, and at that time
made a vow that if the Lord would
spare his life he would
BOW HIS HEAD IN PRAYER
and thanksgiving to him three times a
day as long as he lived, and the judge
kept his word.
Said Colonel Merritt: II have seen
him many and many a time when a
case in court was being argued before
him, take out his watch at noon, stop
( the proceedings, get down on his knees
before the bench and offer up the
prayer in silence. 1t became so COM
mon that We never thought anything
of it, but it used to be the cause Of
some comment among strangers when
they would happen to be in the court
room"
The judge was twice a member Of
the Illinois senate and. once a member
of the state constitutional convention.
He was twice nominated for congress
and could have been elected, but he
would not allow the use of Q. single
cent for campaign purposes. w. J.
Bryan, the presidential candidate, has
many of his fathers characteristics
from a religious point Of view Every
time he comes to
HIS OLD HOME
he attends services at the PRESBYTERIAN
church, where the Rev DIR. Sprouts
has been pastor for a score Of years
or more. Last Sunday his old pastor
announced to the congregation that he
had taken it upon himself to send a.
telegram in the name of the congre-
cation, congratulating their fellow
brother in Christ upon the honor he
had received. He then pronounced a
few words of praise and c0mmenda-
ton upon the character of Mr.. Bryan,
briefly reviewing his career from the