Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-25
CompeIs President Mckinley
to Make a Speech.
They Surround His Carriage and
Hang On to the Wheels.
A Joyous Reception from the Rising Generation
10 Our President.


past four days have been visiting In
Adams, reached this Newport Of Mass
achusetts. at 2 o'clock this afternoon
They left Adams on the regular train
at 1890 and reached Pittsfield at Lis
There was an immense crowd about the
station to meet them and the enthusi-
asm was unbounded. Cheer after cheer
was given for the President and his
wife when they appeared upon the
platform. Hon. John Sloane, whose
guest they will be, until tomorrow
noon. welcomed the President as he
stepped upon the platform, and escorted
him and Mrs. Mckinley to his own
finely equipped victoria driven by two
handsome black horses in silver
mounted harnesses.
Mr.. Sloane with Mrs. w. B. Plunkett.
wife Of the Presidents host at Adams,
then entered Mr.. Sloane's yellow topped
blackboard. When they were seated,
two Of Mr.. Plunkett's four drags which
had come over the road from Adams
were driven to the platform and the
other members of the party entered
them in order as follows: On the first
drag, Miss Mckinley and Miss Nc
Mrs. Alger and Mayor Walter F. Haw-
kins of Pittsfield, on the second seat,
while Attorney General McKenna with
Mr.. w. B. Plunkett were seated in the
rear. On the second drag, Mr.. Sim
clair. the White House steward; Mr..
George E. Cortelyou, executive clerk,
and the maids of Mrs. and Miss Nc
Kinley.
The drive was started as soon as all
were seated and led through the BUSH
ness portion of the town. Although
the horses were driven at a rapid gait
the crowd followed the party to the
park and soldiers monument. The
Presidents victoria was driten for
quite distance up the street and was
then. turned and he came back to the
square. The crush of children around
the carriage was tremendous. One
brave little youngster jumped up on
the step beside Mrs. Mckinley and the
lady of the White House was obliged
to hold him in for he would have fallen
under the wheels had it not been for
her. '''
The carriage was stopped directly in
front of the park which was filled to
the last inch with struggling mass of
young Americans who were not anxN
iously. but bound to see the first and
only President who ever did the town
the honor to come within it's borders.
Major Mckinley, as he said afterwards,
never received such joyous reception
from the rising generation as he did at
this time.
He had stated emphatically when he
received an invitation from Mayor
Hawkins to simply stop the carriage
for moment at the park, that he
would not under any circumstances
make any remarks. The tremendous
enthusiasm of the school children
coupled with his well-known love for
children in general. were too much for
the President, however, and he rose
in his carriage and made a short ad-
dress to them. He was introduced by
Mayor Walter F. Hawkins.
The President then responded as fol-
lows: "Mr. Mayor and Fellow Citizens:
desire to express my appreciation of
the gracious welcome which you have
given me as I journey through your
city on my way to Lenox. One Of the |
most gratifying conditions to be found, |
today, is that splendid feeling of amity |
and friendship and fraternity existing |
in all sections of our country. These |
boys and these girls whom I have seen |
around me in such vast numbers, this |
morning, in a little while must take |
upon themselves the great duty of citi- |
zenship.
I'VE have. today, a union, stronger |
and better and firmer than it ever was |
before and if these young people con-
tinue the lives of morality and virtue I
practiced in their youth. they will be
prepared to carry forward this great
nation to still greater glories. thank
you and bid you all good morning.
The drive was then resumed. It was
just beginning to sprinkle as the car
riages were entered and the moisture
increased gradually until within about |
two miles from Pittsfield, when the
rain fell in torrents and made the roads
decidedly unpleasant. The beautiful
view of the Berkshire hills was entire
ly hidden by thick fog and no one cared
to do anything to avoid getting very
wet. Great haste was made on this
account but just as the main section of
the town was entered the rain ceased
and the sun shone. The fog was not
gone, however. from the hills. so no
view of them could be obtained. A +
-apid trip was made through the town
and to the magnificent residence of
Hon. j. w. Sloane. "Wyndohurst."
The coaches were driven past several
places to the grounds of Mr..
Sloane. The party were met at the
loor by Mrs. Sloane and Miss Evelyn
Sloane and ushered into the spacious
ind luxuriously furnished reception
DOM, where the ladies were given light
and President Mckinley
pent few minutes in warming him
elf at the open fireplace.
Immediately after the ladies had be- !.
ome warmed from their wet and cold
ide. a closed carriage was taken ford
ne links of the LenOx Golf Club, where )
he President was just in time to greet
he winner Of the Lenox cup tourna-