The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-07-21
MET OLD FRIENDS.
Another Demonstration at Salem
Ill. in Honor Of Bryan

ILL.,, in Honor OF Bryan
Salem. Ill.,, July II. ~ While hum
dreds of people who have come here
from all over this part of the state
to attend the Bryan celebration were
assembling in the court house yard to-
day a big black cloud doomed up in
the northwest. 1t approached with
frightful rapidity. There were ter
rife peals of thunder, and there was a
scattering Of people in every direction
to get out Of the fast-approaching rain.
Many of the people became panic
stricken, as they still had unpleasant
recollections of the awful cyclone
which passed through this region d
few weeks ago when ST. Louis was al
most ruined. Many of the teams
brought to town by farmers becime
frightened and tried to break loose
from the hitching racks about the
square, SO that for a time 1t 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 space of ten minutes
the bunting, flags and draping of
buildings, which had looked so at
tractive in the morning, were bedrag
gled and almost ruined. The storm
continued and the darkness increased
until it was almost impossible to see
across the streets, and iii the houses
lights became necessary. When it
had rained for almost fifteen minutes
the storm seemed to change it's course.
1t swept around to the north of the
town, but the rain continued to fall.
In less than half an hour the storm
seemed to have spent itself and it
settled. down to a steady rain. 1t was
an ordinary thunder storm, but of I'M
usual violence, and, owing to the dark
ness, it caused a great deal of alarm.
Bryan Speaks.
In the afternoon about 5000 people
again gathered in the court house
yard and gave Mr. Bryan a rousing
reception. The nominee spoke as fol-
lows
Il have no disposition to talk poll
tics to-day I shall leave the discus
sion of party questions to those who
shall follow. Returning to the scenes
which surround my early home, the
memories Of other days crowd out all
thoughts of subjects upon which we
may differ. l remember with grateful
appreciation the kindly feeling which
has abounded regardless of church
and party lines that shall not say a
word to divide upon my subject those
who are assembled here to-day. This
is the home of my birth, of my boy
hood and early manhood. Three blocks
south / first saw the light of day. A
mile to the northwest | lived until /
was twenty-three, and I shall never
cease to be grateful to the parents who
took me to and from the farm and
there allowed me to develop the phys
ical strength that is needed in the
campaigns which we have to pass
through 1t was in this court house
that / first gained the ambition to be
a lawyer It was in this court house
that | made the first political speech
[ ever tried to make. 1t was in the
fair grounds, near here, that | spoke
for the first time on the Fourth OF
July. 1t was to this city and to the
Daternal roof that I brought her who
had promised to share life's joys and
sorrows with me. And all of these
happy associations arise to-day before
me and leave me 10 desire to think OF
other things. l cannot forget Salem.
I cannot forget those whose kindly
faces smiled upon me before fortune
smiled / cannot forget this spot, near
by. the silence of the dead where the
ashes of the father whose upright life
has been an inspiration, and whose
counseis fingered in my ears when he
was gone; the spot where rest also
the ashes of mother, as tender and
true. as parents, as gentle, as loving
as God in his infinite love ever gave
to man. / cannot forget this home
nor these people. And | can say no
more today than to express in words
which, if not elaborate, will be sincere,
the deep and heartfelt thanks for these
tokens, these manifestations of good
will"
After speeches by several citizens
the crowds dispersed. Mr.. Bryan will
leave tomorrow for Lincoln.