The record-union., 1897-06-12
Great Demonstration in Honor Of the
President at Nashville.
Tremendous Ovation When He Entered
the Exposition Building.
The Vast Audience Rises En- Masse
and Cheers the Chief Executive as
He Walked Down the Aisle to the
Speakers Stand-Mrs. Mckinley
Also Receives an Ovation.

NASHVILLE, June 11.-At s o'clock
this morning the Presidential tour
merged into the centennial celebration
Of the admission of Tennessee into the
Union. As early as a. m, when the
train reached Bowling Green, crowd
had assembled and an artillery salute
was fired. Although this was some
what to the discomfort of those who
wished to sleep, no great harm was
done, and the Presidential party, in
good health and spirits, was ready to
receive the greetings, official and pop
ular, at the Nashville Railway station
where thousands were assembled,
many hundreds of them being in uni
form. The party was driven speedily
to the Maxwell House, and there pro-
vided with accommodations and break
fast
AS soon as breakfast was over the
Presidential party was ushered into
carriages from the Church street en-
trance of the Maxwell House and the
line was soon formed, the press and
many gorgeously attired members of
Governor BushnelFs staff occupying
their huge tally -ho coaches In the
y
Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman, President Of
the Woman's Board, and Major w w.
Thomas, President of the Centennial
Company. In other carriages were the
secretaries and visiting distinguished
guests and the ladies of the party
each accompanied by a prominent 10
cal gentleman or lady.
The main procession formed on
STR 1 5rr~,
oughfOre the upper end of which is
lined with handsome residences and
beautiful trees, the grounds of the
Vanderbilt University being especially
notable. AS a guard of honor, a mount
ed detachment of Confederate veter-
ans, commanded by Captain George f.
Hager. ranged themselves immediate
ly in front of the Presidents carriage.
They wore the old-time gray, but the
buckles of their belts bore the insignia
"U s."
In the rear of the line Of carriages
marched a battalion of the Sixth In
fantry, under the command of Colonel
Minor, sent from Fort Thomas. and
headed by their fine band, State troops.
and particularly fine looking body of
the Cincinnati police, under command
of their Chief. made up the uniformed
part of the parade. The streets were
lined with admiring thousands. and as
this is pre-eminently an educational
center, a large portion of the crowds
was made up of students of both sexes
and of both races.
AS the head of the procession turned
into the main entrance OF, the exposi-
IlOn grounds a battery of artill, 9v
doomed forth the national salute of
twenty-five guns. 1t was within the
grounds and led by the centennial
chimes which rang forth from the top
OF the administration building that the
enthusiasm reached it's climax The
enthusiasm was shared by the visitors
TO the fullest extent, and to them was
added the incentive of the beauty of
the buildings and the grounds, which
burst upon them for the first time.
The auditorium, in which the exer-
clses of the day We're held. will seat
comfortably 1900 people and fully 20
per cent. more than that number were
added to-day in the crowds that filed
the foyers and the unseated part of tbe
galleries. 1t was hot. but the heat
could not check the joyousness and
enthusiasm.
A wandering band played Dixie"
just before the last gun of the salute an
nounced the Presidents arrival in the
grounds. and that air. loved for its as
sociations by Southerners. and for its
suggestive melody by Northerners
brought out a wave of hearty cheers.
They were but murmurs, however. COM
pared to the mighty roar bursting forth
as William Mckinley, President of the
United States. with Mrs. Kirkham
beautifully gowned in summary ma
terial, walked down the aisle and upon
the platform. Generous was the an
plause also given the members of the
Cabinet and distinguished visitors. in
Guiding Governor Bushnell and staff of
Ohio, While to Governor Taylor a gem
erOus outburst was awarded. Commits
sioner of Pensions H. Clay Evans. a
native Tennesseean, was also the reci-
pient of hearty cheers Mrs. Mckinley
had wisely concluded not to accompany
the party in the procession. and great
was the disap ppointment expressed at
her non-appearance. When she did
come it gave rise to one of the most de-
1ightful incidents of the trip. Governor
Bushnell was in the middle of his speech
when cheer, swelling from the back
of the auditorium and thence com
municating to the main floor and the
galleries, showed that some event of
extraordinary interest was transpiring
A moment later Mrs. Mckinley ap-
peared in the central isle, leaning on the
arm OF James r. Dunn, and accom-
panied by her aunt, Mrs. Sexton, and
Mrs. John Hill Eakin. the latter of Nash
Vile.
Governor Bushnell gracefully yielded
the floor. and the immense audience was
on its feet in a moment, cheering most
Justify. The cheers were redoubled
when this gentle lady of the White
House reached the platform. and to the
outstretched hands of her husband, who
hurried TO meet and greet her and con-
duct her to a seat by his side, Seere-
tary to the President John Addison
Porter and wife being Immediately be-
hind her. A huge bunch of roses was
handed Mrs. Mckinley and as she bowed
and smiled her thanks the crowd again
broke into cheers.
Incidental to the speaking which fol-
lowed was the applause which greeted
any reference to Tennessee's loyalty to