The record-union., 1896-10-30
The Largest Meeting Ever Held
Out There.
1 Big Parade BY Uniformed Clubs
and Other Voters.
Warm Greetings for Congressman johnson and
Supervisor Curtis-The Formers
Rattling Speech

Congressman Grove L. Johnson re-
oeived an ovation at Oak Park last
night. There was no doubt about the
enthusiasm; there was no doubt about
MS genuinenesS; there was no doubt
about the attention and applause ac-
corded to him, and there was no doubt
but that the crowd was the largest
that ever before assembled at the Oak
Park Pavilion to listen to the expo
nent of any principle political or other
wise
AS early as z o'clock members of the
various railroad shops sound money
clubs began to assemble at Twenty
eighth and 7 streets, where a bonfire
cast cheerful rays and threw wierd
shadows, and there, too, the Militant
Band lined up and played marching
music, while the boys lit their torches
and cheered for Johnson and sound
money.
Then the Johnson and Mckinley Club
or Oak Park appeared on the scene,
and the parade was formed, the band
playing and the clubs cheering torches
flaring and banners tossing, while down
the column could be seen dozens of
transparencies bearing such legends as
Vote for Grove L. Johnson! He's all
righti"
Through the principal streets of the
suburb the column wound it's way, and
the entire community was lighted up by
balls Of fire from the thousands of
Roman candles, brought out at the
last moment, from-no one knows
where.
Meanwhile another scene was being
enacted at and in front of the Pavilion.
BY 4:30 O'Clock every available seat
bad been taken, and men We're looking
for soft spots to stand upon, and cor
ners commanded a heavy premium.
Outside the building another and larger
bonfire blaZed and cracked, tossing
sparks into the air, and near it stood
the proverbial anvil by means Of which
salute after salute roared out in honor
of the speaker of the occasion.
AS the parading column neared the
Pavilion rockets were sent kissing
through the air, leaving trails of light
behind them, and they, together with
the booming Of the anvil, the flashing
Of candles, the blare of the band, the
glitter of torches and the continuous
cheers the members of the uniformed
clubs, spoke well for the reception to
be accorded to Mr.. Johnson and the
cause he represented.
Not a pause was made by the band.
A gangway was opened and into the
building marched the musicians the
notes Of an old wartime air crashing
out Then the crowd stood up and
cheered Somebody proposed three
cheers for Grove L. johnson and they
came with ear-splitting volume Nor
was William Curtis, the candidate for
reelection as Supervisor Of the district,
forgotten He was the recipient of the
second round Of cheers. and then the
crowd got back to Johnson and cheered
again.
When at length comparative quiet
had settled down and NJ. D. Coons.
PRESIDENT of the Oak Park Johnson and
Mckinley Club, raped the meeting to
ofdf-r and announced that Supervisor
william Curtis, who was sure to be re-
elected, would act as Chairman Of the
Meeting, the crowd cheered again
Mr.. Curtis on assuming the chair said
the people all knew him and did not
want to hear him make a speech They
knew what he would say If he did make
one. They had assembled to listen to
the words Of man who is wise in his
Seneration-a man who is loved by the
people of his county honored by the