Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-10-02

spite Of this. however. there were hun
dreds to come 20 Wheeling from as far
east as Grafton. while many came who
bad been at the Grafton and Clarksburg
meetings. drawn by The force Of the
nominee eloQuence and -8klng DreSen-
taiion OF the issues Those who had
heard him once se- med more intent
upon getting 90 the Fair grounds and
securing seats from which they could
hear than those 90 whom Mr.. Bryan
was a stranger.
The enthusiasm on the streets was "a
markol contrast 90 anything seen IN
wheeling ihis campaign Even as early
1s n0oa. people wearing the insignia Of
silver and in holiday a,--re, were parad-
l1g the sidewalks i1 tha middle portion
of town As the afternoon advanced.
these crowds Increase. tiil. by FIVE
o'c.ock. the ci.y seemed 90 3e in holiday
attire End hum0r The people gathered
in uttie knots. and b.Ockaled the thor
oughfares. al anxiOusly discussing the
money question anG speculating on the
weather. the prospects Of record break
ing crowd. and the likelihood of getting
near the speaker in the evening.
Thousands began 10 cross the bridges,
ana ferries. before dark, while thousands
more. wiling 10 take, their chances,
waited on this SIDE 20 See the parade.
The gold bugs made every effort TO
make a respectable showing on the
streets, and had men out giving away
badges to all who would accept them.
Here and there would appear a lonely
man with yellow ribbon or slip OF pap
er on his lapel, but they were few and
far between. When the Cochran meet
ing at the Opera House was dismissed,
the wearers Of the gold became little
more prominent On Market street. but
they were soon swallowed up in the
suTging waves of the silveriteS, and pre-
er or on his lapel, but they were few and
dollars do in the American monetary
system.
The Republican and Gold Bus State
Committees had men and boys on the
streets distributing literature and car
toons. which, in a Democratic spirit Oh
intolerance. were generally accepted by
the silverites. and stored away that the
gold standard fallacies might be ponder
ed over at leisure. Several of these doc
uments were particularly offensive, dea.-
ing with personal matters; some unique
Misrepresentation and other dastardly
attempts to present les as facts.
About the hotels, the leaders OF the
silver movement in this section OF the
State and from over the river. discussed
affairs. and the probable size of Mr. Bry-
ans majorities in November. The IoD-
bies were packed with people from out
of town. seeking TO meet the leaders,,
and to present their good reports from
the smaller communities. Everybody
was good natured, and one man, VINO
had gotten a "smash' on the nose IN
the Second ward, (he wore no silver re-
galia) was the only person who seemed
10 have anything to be sorry for.
When the clubs and marching organ.-
cations began to come in, afoot and from
the trains. the streets took on more
lively aspect. and instead OF standing IN
nu:et groups. the people moved IN soId
masses toward the Democratic head
quarters in the Peabody building, which
was the goal of all the bands and march
ers. At seven o'clock. although II was
generally believed that Mr.. Bryan would
ba from two to three hours late, and
that there was no chance Of seeing him
before nine o'clock, Market street and
side streets leading to it, were crowaed
for blocks and the only method OF NOV.
ing about was by taking the middle Oh
the street.