The herald., 1897-06-12
FIRED OFF
CANNONS
Spoiled the Presidents
Morning Nap
J0HNNIEs DRESSED IN GRAY
PUT LOYAL LETTERS ON THEIR
BELT BUCKLES
Mckinley Arrives at Nashville and Is
Given the Welcome His High
Position Deserves


Associated Press Special Wire.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, June 11.-At 8
o'clock this morning the presidential
tour merged into the centennial cele-
bration of the admission of Tennessee
into the Union. AS early as s a. M,
when the train reached Bowling Greer,
a crowd had assembled and an artillery
salute was fired. Although this was
somewhat 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 popular. at
the Nashville railway station. where
thousands were assembled, many hun
dreds of them being in uniform. The
party was driven speedily to the Max
well house and there provided with &C.
commodations and breakfast AS soon
as breakfast was over the presidential
party was ushered into carriages from
the Church street entrance Of the Max
well house and the line was soon formed,
the press and many gorgeously attired
members of Gov. Bushnelrs staff occupy
ing three huge tallyho coaches In the
first carriage were President Mckinley,
Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman, president Of
the woman's board, and Major ]. 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 q prominent local gen.
tleman or lady.
The main procession formed on Broad
street, q very handsome thoroughfare,
the upper end of which is lined with
handsome residences and beautiful
trees. the grounds Of the Vanderbilt uni
versity being especially notable. AS a
guard of honor mounted detachment
of Ct hfederate veterans. commanded by
Capt. George F. Hager. ranged them.
selves immediately In front of the pres-
ident's carriage. They wore the old
thine gray, but the buckles OF their belts
bore the initials III. s." In the rear of
the line OF carriages marched the
battalion of the Sixth infantry, under
the command of Col. Minor, sent from
Fort Thomas and headed by their little
band, state troops and particularly
fine looking body of the Cincinnati
police. under command of their chief
made up the uniform part Of the pa
rade. 4
The streets were lined with admir-
ing thousands, and as this pre- eminentjy
is an educat tional CENTER a large portion
OF the crowds was made up Of students
Of both sexes and both races.
As the head of the procession turned
into the main entrance of the exposi-
tion grounds battery Of artillery
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 administra ton building, that the
enthusiasm reached its climax.
The enthusiasm was shared by the Wis
itors to the fullest extent, and to them
was the added incentive of the beauty
OF the buildings and the grounds which
burst on them for the first time.
The auditorium, in which the exer-
ctses Of the day were held, will seat COM
fortably $500 people. and fully 20 per
cent more than that number were added
today, in the crowds that filled the foyer
and the unseated part of the galleries.
1t was hot, but the heat could not check
the joyousness and enthusiasm. A wan
dering band played Dixie just before
the last gun of the salute announced the
presidents arrival on the grounds, and
that air. loved for its associations by
suoutherners and for its suggestive melo-
dy by northerners. brought out a wave of
'hearty<cheers. They were but murmurs,
however. compared to the mighty roar
bursting forth as william Mckinley,
president of the United States, with
Mrs. Kirkham. beautifully gowned in,
summery materials, walked down the
aisle and upon the platform Generous
was the applause given to members of
the cabinet and distinguished visitors,
including Governor Bushnell and staff
of Ohio, while to Governor Taylor a gen.
erous outburst was awarded. Commits
sioner Of Pensions H. Clay Evans, a ma
tive Tennessean, was also the recipient
of hearty cheers. Mrs. Mckinley had
wisely concluded not to accompany the
party In the procession, and great was
the disappointment expressed at her
non-appearance. when she did come it
gave rise to one of the most delightful
incidents OF the trip. Governor Bush
nell was In the middle Of his speech,
when a cheer. swelling from the back Of
the auditorium and thence communicate
ing to the main floor and to the galleries,
showed that some event of extraordinary
interest was transpiring. A moment
later Mrs. Mckinley appeared in the CEN
trail aisle, leaning ON thearm Of James r.
Dunn and accompanied by her aunt, Mrs.
saxton. and Mrs. John Hill Eakin, the
latter OF Nashville. Governor Bushnell
gracefully yielded the floor. and the i'm
mencA audience was on its feet in mo-
ment. cheering most Justify. The cheers
were sredoubled when this gentle lady Of
the White House reached the platform
and met the outstretched hands of her
husband who hurried to meet and greet
her and conduct her to seat by his side,
.,acretary. to the president John Addison
Porter and wife being immediately be-
Md her. A huge bunch Of roses was
tt;iSt,Sadea to Mrs.. Mckinley. ana as chs
ss;SQsSf9 and smiled hex thanks The crowd.
~ 81 broke into cheers & ( \, u. Il 4
1>9I6 6sntal to Tho spsa! lElps Which fol>I
~. .3i,