The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-09-23

Shortly after o'clock last evening
there pulled Into the Baltimore & ohid
depot at Water street, amid the cheers
OF the crowds lining the platform, the
private coaches containing the Wheel
ing gunboat party, which was returnInI
from It's jaunt to the sunny slope, made
Just four weeks ago. The train had
scarcely slackened before the platform
evolved into an animated scene of friend
ly greetings and handshaklngs
The pilgrims looked sun-bronzed and
healthy, and their appearance bespoke
the generous treatment accorded them on
their trip. White SLOUGH hats on many
of the male members Of the party added
TO the western atmosphere, and expanl
sion of glrth was plainly evident on
Mayor Butts and the others inclined to
obesity. Captain Doyener looked as
though he had Just completed sea voy-
age and Sheriff Richards had lost his
usual thoughtful air The ladies, az
we'll, were the pictures Of blooming
health. and the anxious friends and rela'
tives awaiting the party's arrival for
once at least, didn't ask We'll, how
have you been?"
As Is well known the party journeyed
to San Francisco to present to the gum
boat wheeling" in behalf OF the city OF
Wheeling, services OF china and glass
ware. and punch bowl to the trim little
cruiser In honor OF its being named after
the Nall City. Through the efforts OF
Congressman Dovener transportation
was secured, and to him are accredited
many OF the pleasant features OF the
trip, the like OF which has seldom been
the good fortune OF the citizens of any
city to enjoy. 1t has been n constant
round OF enjoyment, especially so after
reaching the Golden Gate, and the trip
through California after the presenta'
tlon.
The coast country was new to Wheel
ingites; in fact It was revelation. The
fruitful California and It's delightful ell
mate were amazing-the trip was taken
advantage OF by the Callfornlans to adj
vertlse their state, and the West Virgin
fans didn't fail to do likewise. The COM
ing of the party was heralded far and
wide In California, and the hospitality Of
every town along the railroads traversed
through the state was lavished In every
way possible. West Virginia was there
and no mistake.
While In San Francisco, 1t was for
mer West Virginian who photographed
the party In the gunboat on the bay, and
a former employe OF the Riverside steel
works was the engineer In the boat that
bore them out to Mare Island and return.
It was their pleasure also to visit Lieu
tenant Braunesreuther. wife and child.
The Lieutenant, who is former instruc-
tor OF military tactics at the Llnsly In
stitute. Is now on duty there In the navy
yards. Everywhere Il was the same, a
former West Vlrginian bobblng up &C.
renely on all important occasions.
After the sights had been done In San
Francisco. the homeward trip began. The
route lay through California and tho
southwestern states, but It was In tour
ing California that the travellers verlta-
Div revealed in the fat Of the land. They
were toasted and entertained along the
route. At certain towns the citizens
met them, and providing carriages drove
them around the country through tho
orange groves and vineyards and IN ad-
dItion banqueting them at their famous
hotels Where the stop admitted OF but
a few minutes again they were laden
with fruit and wines by the generous ma
tives.
Addresses also figured In the itinerary
The Californian eXtolled the virtues OF
his state to the West VirginIans, and
Congressman Dovener, with Characters
tic point and eloquence, and others of
the party, extolled the virtues Of West
Virginia to the Californians. The news
papers were full Of the trip, and crowds
waited for the train at every station
The Frisco" people, and in fact all
towns Of the west held their breath In
admiration Of the party that journeyed
almost from ocean TO ocean In honor oil
one Of Uncle Sans cruisers. There was
in the navy many boats named after
states of the linton and some large
cities, but no such enthusiastic demon
stration had ever been made before, and
as Frisco" admlrer expressed II, I'VE
take off our hats and cheer for Wheel
Ing"
II Is source Of pride to all citizens
that Wheeling cut such n figure and
Wheeling will long be synonym for
pluck along the coast. The city and the
state received splendid advertisement,
while the thanks OF the party will al
WAYS be due TO those who rendered such
kind treatment The courtesy OF the
railroad officials who accompanied them,
was never excelled, and memories NJ the
hospitality showered upon them by the
Californians will also llnEer long. And
the members OF the party will never eff
face from their memories the many kind
nesses OF Congressman Dovener.
Where was 30 much pleasure was also
profit. and the experiences gained by the
trip viii be fruitful to the ubservant
members. Mayor Butts. who paid par
ticular attention to street paving, etc,
will likely have much information shed
on local municipal affairs. He, however,,
says Wheeling Is the best for a poor
man. and stated last evening that Call
fornia would be better for n man POSSESS
ed Of more Of this worlds goods. An
other satisfactory feature Is that
throughout the Journey all the party
kept perfect health, and good health and
jovlal spirits were the order OF the dav
from the time they said au revoir to the
Ohio river until home again last night.
AZ has already been published the
party came home by the southern route,
varying the original itinerary long
enough to make a short tour into Mexi-
co. and everywhere the ovatlonH and
couStesles received were similar to
those experienced In California. During
the trip the party travelled about 5000
miles, through twenty-five states ana
territories and over several rallrond
systems. All the tourists are enthusi-
astlc over the treatment received from
the railway officials. and the especial
courtcslcs accorded them. In every In
stance railrond official accompanied
the party, looking after It's comfort and
pleasure
Mrs Doycncr win not return Ia wheel.
ing for several days She, with some
friends forming distinguished party
that called from San Francisco for Hon.
oiulu about two weeks ago, an the stenm-
er Australia They will spend week
there Besides Mrs. D0vcnor. the party