The San Francisco call., 1896-10-02
An Accident Mars the Opening
Of a Semi-C Centennial
Celebration.
BUT THE INJURED OFFICIALS
DELIVER ADDRESSES.
Achievements of the State of Iowa
During Fifty Years Are Re-
viewed.

BURLINGTON, IOWA, Oct. 1.-The cele-
brat of the semi-centennial OF Iowa to-
day was marked by an accident which
narrowly missed proving serious to the
Vice President of the United States, Gov
ernor Drake and others. As it is there
will probably be one death.
After the grand parade had been formed
for The opening of the semi-centennial fes-
tivities and had covered about half of the
line of march Governor Francis Drake and
staff, Vice President Stevenson and all of
the State and local officials were conducted
to reviewing stand. Scarcely were they
seated when the stand gave way with
crash and the entire structure went to the
ground, a mass of broken timbers.
The injured:
E. s. Burrus, County Treasurer, two
fractures of the leg and internal injuries;
now in hospital in this city.
Vice President Stevenson, left leg
bruised and knee slightly spralned.
Governor Drake, bruised and shaken.
Ex-Governor Sherman, badly bruised
and shaken.
Secretary of State Mcfarland, ankle and
leg sprained.
Senator Kent of Lee County, head cut.
Colonel II. o. Weaver of Wapello, ankle
spraiaed.
Mayor Nanman, badly bruised.
Major Wyman ef Ottumwa, spine seri-
ously injured.
Lafayette Young, editor of the lows
Capital. badly cut and bruised in head.
Fred l.. Porr, city clerk, bruised and cut.
Mary Lord Drake, daughter of the Gov
ernor. slightly bruised.
Secretary Jones, State Commissioner,
leg injured.
A score of others were bruised and
shaken by the fall. Women tainted and
great confusion at once reigned. Governor
Drake and Vice President Stevenson were
on the front tier of seats and were thrown
backward upon the others and thus
escaped fatal injury, but were badly shaken
up and considerably bruised. Ex-Gov-
ernor Sherman was in the rear of the
stand and fell at the very bottom of the
mass. He was found with a heavy timber
across his legs and plank resting on his
neck and back.
The sufferers were conveyed to hospitals
and hotels and their injuries promptly
attended to.
The stand was a private affair, hastily
SohOti uthCOs anu Add uOI DccH Ills pSCIcu
like the others. The crowd was warned
not to go on 1t, as The officials were all who
were intended to occupy it, and for them
it was sufficiently strong, but rush was
made and the stand went down.
Serious as it was it had its funny side.
Governor Drake, with his hat pulled
over his ears, was found sitting IN the lap
of Vice. President Stevenson. The latter's
hat was also crushed over his face, and
neither could move until aid came.
Governor Drake recovered from his
bruises, and shaking up sufficiently to
deliver short address at the Coliseum
this afternoon.
Ex-Governor Sherman, owing to his age,
may be seriously hurt, although he claims
to be only badly bruised and shaken up.
This afternoon State Commissioner P.
M. Crapo opened the exercises at the Coll
isseum before vast crowd.
he was followed by Governor Drake,
who spoke for forty-ive minutes. The
official poem entitled, ''Iowa," was read
by the author, s.. II. M. Byers of Des
Moines, who was followed by Lafayette
Young, editor of the Iowa Capital of Des
Moines. The Iowa State band furnished
the music.
Tonight was held grand carnival in
which barge representing fortress was
attacked by float of one hundred boats,
using Roman candles and bombs for
ammunition. 1t is estimated that 900
people watched the display at the river
front and that 10000 were at the park this
afternoon.
ce-President Stevenson spoke at a
banquet given in honor Of himself and
Governor Drake tonight. The Vice Presi-
dent said:
am confident that voice the deep feeling
of all the people of the great State which lies
across tbs Mississippi when say that Illinois
rejoices with Iowa upon this, her fiftieth anni-
versary. We rejoice with you in your wonder
full developmsnt and prosperity-il. the glory
that is yours, as to-day you round out the first
half century of your history as State of the
Federal Union. The twenty ninth to seek ad-
mission, this historic day, which marks but
little span in the life of State-the day whose
coming has been awaited with such deep in
terest-fnds Iowa tenth upon the list of the
great com monwealths that make up the Amer.
icap Republic.
In all the steps that antedared admission
YOU had the earnest cooperation OF Illinois
through her delegation in Congress; and fifty
years ago this day, at her ancient capital,
twenty guns voieed Illinos's congratulations
to Iowa. No longer u Territory, but State,
henceforth during all the ages. an indestructi-
BILE State of an irdivisible Union. How won-
derfuI the progress of the State and the Nation
during the half century just closed! What
wonderful events make up the woof and warp
of their marvellous historyl How inspiring to
hos I'M fn hah oil of