Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-15
A Storm Interrupts Salem's Celebra-
ton Of Bryan's Nomination.
MANY COMEFROM TIE COUNTRY ROUND
Mr.. Teller Will Not Accept a Pop
uIist Nomination.
THE low A REP U BLICAN S

SALEM ILL., July 15.-It is doubtful If
the natives of this town ever before allow
ed their enthusiasm to bubble over to such
an extent as 1t did today. The scorching
July sun had scarcely appeared above the
horizon when the town was shaken by
cannonading of anvils, which were fired Off
at regular intervals from sunrise until
noon. This discharge of blacksIniths ar
tllery 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 noon the hitching racks around the
business center of the town and all the
feed yards and livery stables were crowd
ed. And they came in on excursion trains
from neighboring towns and adjoining
counties to take part In the celebration to
be given here this afternoon and evening
in honor of VIM. J. Bryan, the demo-
cratic nominee for President who thirty
SIX years ago first saw the light Of day in
this quiet old 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, and nearly
all the dwelling houses were decorated
with patriotic emblems and flowers and
SprigS of evergreen. AT the corners of all
the principal streets enterprlsng citizens
had erected lemonade stands and Ice cream
booths.
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 of the dust
and corners of barns strings of sleigh bells
that have hung there since the last snow
melted away. and fastened them to the
horses. The merry tinkle of these bells in
the scorching rays of the hot July sun was
a cruel reminder of the cold bracing air in
,f,,1,
used.
The ladies displayed their regard for the
presidential nominee by appearing in white
dresses, with red or blue sashes and white
caps. and over the visor of each was printed
in silver letters William j. Bryan"
People began to gather in the court house
square, where a big stand had been erected
for the speakers at the celebration, fully two
hours before the time for the demonstration
to begin. The great elm and maple trees
which surround the court house had. like
the other trees of the town, been freshly
whitewashed. and they were decorated, in
addition, with bunting and flags. 1t was in
this court house that Mr.. Bryan years ago
made his first political speech. and it was
twelve years presided over the circuit
court. On the platform, along with the
speakers who had been invited from all over
the state TO come and participate In the re-
toicfnS of the people of Salem were the
mayor and council of the city and other
distinguished citizens. F. NJ. kagy, who
graduated in the same class with Mr.. Bryan
at Illinois College, Jacksonville, presided at
the meeting.
Storm Spoiled the Celebrations.
When the hundreds 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, a big
black cloud loomed up In the northwest.
1t approached with frightful rapidity. There
{fio To- oP fhur
was a scattering of people in every direc-
tion to get out Of fast approaching rain.
Many OF the people became panic stricken,
as they still had an unpleasant recollection
OF the awful cyclone which passed through
this region few weeks ago, when St.
Louis was stricken. Many of the teams
brought to town by the farmers became
frightened and tried to break loose from
the htchtng racks about the square, so
that for time 1t looked as if general
stampede would result.
At length the rain broke, and it came
down in torrents. All the while there was
continuous flashing of lightning, followed
by uproar OF thunder. In a space of
ten minutes the bunting, flags and draping
OF buildings, which had looked SO attractive
In the morning, were bedraggled and almost
ruined. AS the storm continued the dark
ness increased. until it was almost impos-
s!ble to see across the streets, and in the
houses lights became necessary. When it
had rained for almost fifteen minutes tho
swept around to the north of the town, but
the rain continued to fall. In less than
half hour the storm seemed to have
spent itself. and 1t settled down for a
steady rain. 1t was an ordinary thunder
storm, but of unusual violence, and, owing
to the darkness, it caused a great deal of
alarm At II o'clock it looked as if it
would rain all the afternoon.
County Central Committeeman Samuel ].
Smith, who has had charge of the arrange
ments OF the celebration, said that if the
rain did not stop the speeches would be
made in the court house.