Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-06-12
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY AT THE GEN.
TENNIAL EXPOSITION.
A TREMENDOUS CROWD THERE.
MANY DISTINGUISHED PERSONS
AMONG THE VISITORS.
Mrs. Mckinley Royalty Welcomed
Scenes of the National COnven-
tiOn at st. Louis, When Ma
jOr Mckinley was NOM
mated, Recalled.

Nashville Tenn, June Il.-At s o'clock
| this morning the presidential tour merged
into the centennial celebration of the ad-
mission of Tennessee into the Union. As
early as a. m, when the train reached
Bowling Green, a crowd had assembled
and an artillery salute was fired. Al
though this was somewhat to the discom-
fort 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 had assembled. many
hundreds of them being in uniform. The
party was driven speedily to the Max
well house and there provided with ac-
commodations and breakfast.
As soon as breakfast was over, the pres
identiaI party was ushered into carriages
from the Church street entrance of the
Maxwell house and the line was soon
formed, the press and many gorgeously at
tired members of Governor Bushnelrs staff
occupying three huge tally-ho coaches. In
the first carriage were President MclNin-
ley, Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman. president
of the wOmens board, and Major J. w.
Thomas, president of the Centennial Com
pdny. In other carriages were the secre-
taries and visiting distinguished guests
and the ladies of the party, each accom-
panied by prominent local gentleman or
lady.
In the rear of the line of carriages
marched the battalion of the Sixth in
fantry, under the command Of Colonel
Miner. sent from Fort Thomas and headed
by their fine band, state troops and par
ticularly fine looking body of the Cincin-
natl police, under the command of their
chief made up the uniformed part of the
parade.
The streets were lined with admiring
thousands and, as this Is pre-eminentiy an an
educational 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 exposition
grounds, a 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 Administration
building, that the enthusiasm reached its
climax The enthusiasm was shared by
the visitors to the full. and to them was
the added incentive Of the beauty OF the
buildings and the grounds, which burst
upon them for the first time.
A wandering 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
Southerners and for its suggestive melody
by Northerners, brought out a wave of
hearty cheers. They were but murmurs.
bursting forth as William Mckinley, presi-
dent of the United States, with Mrs. Kirk
man. beautifully ,gowned in summery ma
terials. walked down the aisle of the
auditorium and onto the platform.
Generous was the applause given to the
members Of the cabinet end distinguished
staff, of Ohio, while TO Governor Taylor
"Our Bob as they love to call him, a gen
erous outburst was awarded. Commis-
sioner of Pensions II. Clay Evans. a native
Tennesseean, was also recipient Of hearty
cheers.
Mrs. Mckinley had wisely concluded not
to accompany the party in the procession
and great was the disappointment ex-
pressed at her non-appearance. When she
did come, IL gave rise 10 one of the most
delightful incidents of the trip. Governor
Bushnell was in the middle of his speech
when cheer, swelling from the back of
the auditorium and thence communicating
to the main floor and the galleries. showed
that some event of extraordinary interest
was, transpiring. A moment later Mrs. Nc
kinley came slowly down the center aisle.
accompanied by her aunt, Mrs. Saxton and
Mrs. L. f. Akin, of Nashville and smiled
pleasantly as the president hurried to the
platform steps and gave her his arm, con-
ducting her to a seat by his side and i'm
mediately in front of Secretary Porter and
wife. There could be no doubt as to the
hearts of all Americans. The vast audi
ence cheered until II seemed tired out, but
commenced again with renewed vigor when
a large bunch of fragrant roses was hand
ed to Mrs. Mckinley, who bowed her ac-
acknowledgements:
When the applause that followed Gov
ernor BushnelPs peroration had subsided,
President Thomas introduced the great fig
ure of the occasion, and Mr.. McKinley's
and shouted out cheer after cheer To the
correspondents, who Joined heartily In the
when the name of faVorite IS
mentioned. For several minutes the cheer
ing went on and the president could only
stand and smile and wait. At last quiet
came and in a clear voice and with more
gesture than is his wont, the chief ex-
ecutive delivered ten minute speech.
Later in the afternoon, Mrs. Mckinley
and the president gave a reception to wom-
en- only in the women's building. During
The luncheon, the residents in Vanity
Fair which is similar in many respects
to the Midway Plaisance at Chicago.
formed an unique procession and marched
past the clubhouse from the galleries of
which, on which the luncheon was served, |
A good view could be obtained Of the cam
els, Asiatics, Cinnamon and old-time ne
ion OF dragon, which attracted attention
sven from the most distinguished digni-
aries. When the luncheon drew to a close
here were general demands for speeches |
rom one or another of the men of ma
tonal prominence present, and Governor |
nan. Colonel c. II. Grosvenor. Mayor Nc
ilsson, of Cleveland. and Colonel Charles |
Page Bryan. of Illinois, responded. All the |
he occasion, and many lively sallies and |
allusions met appreciatiye re-
,eption.
At 3 O'Clock a fine display Of fireworks |
Iyer the lake and on It's shores was viewed |
~ Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley and their party |
rom the steps Of the Parthenon. The dis |
'ordon OF regulars and evidently greatly |
nioyCd the exhibition. Their enjoyment |
vas shared by thousands, who denscly |
,acked all the available ground bridges, |
,oats roofs and galleries.
Not at all inferior TO the fireworks was |
he Illumination of the principal structures |
" means of search and electric lights, |
here being "A notable prOfusiOn of the lat |
er. The fireworks over President and |
hrs Mckinley and suite returned to the |
ty, tired and a little worn by the heat, |
,ut ready to accord the day "A high place |
n the calendar of remembrance.
CONVENTION ENDED.