Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-26
GREAT PARADE OF THEG. AR.
President Mckinley at the Head Of the
Veterans Column.
Buffalo Was Crowded-Thousands
Had Poured Into the City to Wit
ness the Parade Of the Boys in
Blue Preparations for the Days
Exercises Caused Bustle Of Ex-
element From Early Morning.

Of fleecy clouds in the East, which
darkened into blackness at the West.
A heavy mist rose from Lake Erie
and hovered over Camp Jewett and
was carried back cityward by fresh
breeze from the west. But the sun
soon broke through the clouds and
gave promise of a brilliant day.
Drums beating the reveille brought
the comrades from their tents. Aides
de-camp, in the gold lace Of the Ma
tional Guards Of New York, were dash
ing about the streets ON the rearing
horses, looking with anxious care to
the divisions TO which they had been
assigned. Men and women, and even
children, began TO post themselves be-
hind the long wire screens that had
been spun out along the line Of march
during the night like an immense spi-
der web. Every moment the space
along the front Of the sidewalks grew
less, and soon those who had secured
first place against the wires began to
feel the pressure Of the crowd from
behind, which squeezed them and held
them prisoners for the hours which the
parade would take in passing.
In the corridors of the Iroquis Hotel
spurs were jingling and spurs were
clashing as the officers Of Gen. Clark
sons staff hurried to the headquar-
ters of the Commander-in-Chief to re-
port to Col. ]. Corey Winans, chief
Of staff. From east and north there
came at intervals the rattle Of drums
and the clear note of the bugle. The
posts Of the Department Of Illinois,
and some Of the Department Of Wis
consin, were early in the mrach. The
music and the tramp Of marching feet
brought cheering crowds to the little
detachments as they passed, and the
hum of expectancy grew in to a roar
Of excitement as the time for the NOV
ing Of the procession grew nearer
Excursion trains on every one Of
the many lines leading into Buffalo
began to pour thousands Of recruits
into the already congested thorough
fares. and the railroad stations took
on the appearance of human beehives,
from which a swarm was flying. The
street cars, as they pushed slowly down
to the center of the city by temporary
side street routes, were filled to the
point of distress. Excursion boats were
screeching their whistles in the harbor
in an endeavor to get to dock mith
their quota Of spectators.
Gen. Clarkson and his staff rode
from the Iroquois Hotel to the Hotel
Niagara as soon as the staff had as
sembled on Eagle street. In front Of
the Niagara the staff drew up in line
and Gen. Clarkson waited upon Presi-
dent Mckinley to escort him to the
head Of the column. At 10 o'clock the
President left the Niagara, accom-
panied by the escort. Along the way
to the point Of formation the President
was cheered to the echo.
At 1920 o'clock the command to
march was given and the procession
moved. To the roll Of innUmerabIe
drums and the blare Of trumpets
the Grand Army Of the Republic, head
ed by the President of the United Stat,
took it's triumphal way through a
sea of cheering humanity. The side
walks on each side Of Main str9e1 as
far as the eye could reach were filled
with a solid mass Of people. From
every window faces beamed out and
the roofs had a population equal, II
not greater, than that of the windows.
In the great square in front OF the
Erie County Bank, the first glimpse
was caught Of the real immensely or
the procession. for here the close walls
Of the houses opened out on either
hand and the great tide Of humanity
noured out from the narrow street as
from a funnel and swept in a solid
mass Of blue and gold beneath the
+ba great arch Of welcome. On the
balcony Of the arch a band was sJa-
toned and played Hail TO the Chief
as the Presidents carriage passed be-
The people on the grand stand gave
2 mighty cheer which was taken up
and echoed back by the hundreds in
the plot to the west. President Nc
Kinlev." "Comrade Mckinley" The
Grand Army" could be heard in the
roaring tumult of voices.
Again the column plunged in be-
tween congested sidewalks and again
the deafening applause reared back
from wall TO wall.
The imposing department Of ILL
nois on the right Of the line, received |
an ovation as il passed along. Colum-
bia Post. Of Chicago. was wildly ap-
plauded. but the white haired veterans
Of the smaller posts, from remote cor
ners Cf the State, were not forgotten
nv the generous crowd. AS the veteran
color guard, the old battle flag batal- |
lion passed. heads were uncovered. |
There were thirty battle-worn. shot |
torn flags, carried in the parade by
Camp No. /. Buffalo Sons Of Veterans, |
in company with Meade Post. Of Phil
sdeIphia. The old color guard was
under command Of Captain Morgan
and Edward Curtiss.
On came the procession, post after |
Continued on Fourth Page.