The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-16
GREAT DAY AT SALEM
NOISY DEMONSTRATIONS IN HONOR
OF THE son OF THE TOWN.
Cannonading, Fire Works, Thunder
and Lightning, and Torrent
Turned Loose by Jupiter PIuvius.
COUNTRY BRASS BANDS GALORE
ALL TRYING TO PLAY DIFFERENT
MELODIES AT THE SAME TIME.
Women in White Dresses, Colored
Sashes and Caps Labeled civilian
J. Bryan, in Silver Letters.
SPEECHES DAY And NIGHT
SUPPOSED TO BE NONPARTIsAN, BUT
TINCTURED WITH POPULIsM.
His Old TownsfoIk-His Arm swOI-
len with Shaking Many Hands.
Women in White Dresses, CoIored
Sashes and Caps Labeled civilian
J. Bryan" in Silver Letters.
SPEECHES DAY AND NIGHT
SUPPOSED TO BE NONPARTISAN, But
TINCTURED WITH POPULIsM.
What Democracy's Nominee Said to
len with shaking Many Hands.

SALEM. H.. July 15.-The elements were
tickle to-day and bestowed OH candidate
Bryan both smiles and frowns. In the
morning there was bright sunshine, but
later there was a terrific rainstorm that
moved the big demonstration down for the
day, but for all that, it is doubtful If the
natives of this town ever before allowed
their enthusiasm to bubble over to such
an extent as it did to-day. The scorching
July sun had scarcely appeared above the
horizon when the town was shaken by
thunderous cannonading of anvils. which
were fired off at regular intervals from
sunrise until MONDAY. This discharge of
blacksmiths artillery aroused the people to
an unusual. state of activity early in the
day. Wagons loaded with farmers from
the surrounding country began to arrive
almost at daylight and by MONDAY the
hitching racks around the business
center of the town and all the
feed yards and livery stables were
cursion trains from neighboring towns
and adjoining counties to take part
in the celebration in honor of William j.
Bryan, the Democratic nominee for Presi-
dent. who thirty-six years ago first saw
country town.
In response to the proclamation issued by
the Mayor yesterday all business houses in
the city were abundantly decorated with
flags and bunting and the portrait of the
distinguished citizen of Salem. Nearly all
of the dwelling houses were decorated with
patriotic emblems and flowers and sprigs CT
evergreen At the corners of all the prin-
cif ha
erected lemonade stands and ice cream
booths. which Ipxuries they dispensed to
the swelteriDy Gultitudes at ) cents a
drink and 90 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 ladies OF the town and the surround
ING country, and there are many of them,
and nearly all of them are handsome dis
played their loyalty for the. presidential
nominee by appearing in white dresses to-
day with red blue sashes and white
caps and over the visor of each was print
ed in silver letters William j. Bryan
AT THE COURTHOUSE.
People began to gather in the courthouse
square. where a big stand had been erected
for the speakers at the celebration, fully
two hours before the time for the demon
stration to begin. The great elm and ma
pie trees which surround the courthouse
had like the other trees of the town. been
freshly whitewashed, and they were dec
grated in addition with bunting and flags
1t was in this courthouse that Mr.. Bryan
years ago made his first political speech.
and it was in this courthouse that his
father for twelve years presided over the
Circuit Court. On the platform along with
the speakers who mad been invited from all
over the State TO come and participate in
the rejoicing OF the people of Salem were
the Mayor and Council of the city and
other distinguished citizens. The Hon. F..
NJ Kagy, who graduated IN the same class
with Mr.. Bryan st Illinois College, jack
sonyille, presided at the meeting.
While the people were assembling in the
courthouse yard a big black cloud showed
up in the northwest. 1t approached with
peals of thunder and there was scatter
ing of people in every direction TO get out
of the fast approaching gnn ram, Many OF s,ii ,ns
had an unpleasant recollection of the tor
nado that passed through this region a
few weeks ago when st. Louis was almost
ruined. Many of the teams brought TO
town by the farmers became frightened and
tried TO break loose from the hitching racks
looked as If a general stampede would re-
suit At length the clouds let loose their
load and the rain came down in torrents.
All the while there was continuous Hash
ing of lightning. followed by an uproarious
booming of thunder. In space of ten
minutes the bunting. flags and draping Of
buildings. which had looked attractive
in the morning. were bedraggled and al
most ruined AS the storm continued the
darkness increased until it was almost i'm
possible to see across the streets. and in
the houses lights became necessary. When
IL had rained for almost fifteen minutes the
storm seemed TO change its 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 1t settled down for a steady rain.
1t was. ordinary thunderstorn but of
unusual violence, and owing TO the dark
ness it caused a great deal of alarm.
THE BANDS PLAY.
II was after / o'clock before the rain
ceased Then the crowd came out from
the stores. taverns and other places OF
shelter and again began to gather beneath
the trees in the courthouse yard. The nu-
merous country bands that had come from
the neighboring towns with Bryan clubs
began TO play such inspiring tunes as
white Wings" Comrades Marching
through Georgia and Dixie" The hustle
and excitement that prevailed in the early
morning was renewed
A banner upon which was fastened a
portrait of the Democratic nominee was
placed on the platform. Beneath it was
the motto: Bryan Brings Silver and Sue
cess When IL was brought forward the
crowd in6ulged In some enthusiastic cheer
ing. A big banner was then posted bear
ing this inscription: Our Billie made his
first political speech under a campaign flag
in 1850 at Salem-" This occasioned another
burst of applause. BY this time the num-
ber of people packed i'm the courthouse
yard had increased until at least three
thousand people were there. Half dozen
bands were scattered about. all playing at
once and each playing a different tune The
din produced was APPALLING. At fnferxa ls