The record-union., 1897-03-02
The President Elect and Wife Begin Their
Journey to the Capital.
People Turn Out En- Masse to Honor
Their Distinguished Neighbors.
Thousands narch to His Home and
Escort the President Elect to the
Railway Station, and With Tightly
Rounds of Cheers Bid Godspeed to
the Man Who Was Chosen as the
Chief Executive of the Nation.

NulCf Executive OI .<dllOUs
CANTON, March lit was indeed a
beautiful and impressive scene that
Canton presented this evening when her
citizens bid farewell to Major and Mrs.
Mckinley as they entered the special
train in waiting to convey them to
Washington. The people of the city
seemed to have turned out en- masse to
do honor to their distinguished neigh
bors and friends, who so long have been
regarded with the greatest love and es-
TEEN, and who by the honors they have
won in the nation have done so much to
attract favorable attention to Canton
No lines were drawn in the large con-
course of people which followed the Nc
kinley carriage to the train and sur
rounded the station, to mingle their
cheers in the mighty rounds which
echoed above the din of the train as it
disappeared in the east. Young and
old, rich and poor, richly gowned and
humbly clad, lowly and affluant people
of all political convictions, of all creeds,
OF all solid planes, touched elbows and
1oStled each other about in the mighty
throng which surrounded the PennSyl
vania station, taking some point of
vantage for last look for the godspeed
of the party, and each good natured and
Indifferent to the personal discomfort
experienced through the movements of
others.
The day dawned with that blustery
quality of March weather which brooks
no good to pre-arranged programme.
Blasts of wind that made the air seem
far colder than the thermometers reg
istered We're followed by fitful hurries.
and they in turn by threats of sleet and
icy rainfall. But as the day advanced
the weather promises of the morning
We're not redeemed. There was a de-
cided moderation in the temperature,
with now and then a ray of sunshine,
and by noon all traces of snow had dis
appeared. There was still a suggestion
of rain, but it was not strong, and the
committees in charge of the demonstra-
tion took heart from the assurance that
whatsoever other conditions might pre-
vail, the temperature would be mild,
and the people of the city would be able
to crafty their oft-repeated wish to at
tend some concerted farewell demon
stration to the President-elect and bis
wife.
1t was not until 6 p. m. that the
demonstration proper began with the
organization of the escort. But long be-
fore that time the uptown streets began
to fill with people awaiting curiously
and not too patiently for the parade.
Others were lingering about the station,
anxious to catch a glimpse of, or may
hap, make an inspection of the hard
some cars, stories of the beauty of
hich they have read for days.
But the train was not long in the
station, nor was there opportunity for
more than a cursory review. 1t arrived
from Alliance yards about $50 o'clock
where the cars were submitted to
careful inspection and test during the
day.
Promptly at p. m. the bands, mill
tary clubs and citizens began to or
ganize in the City Hall square. Cen
eral Harry Freaze, who commanded
the famous Canton troops during the
campaign. was Chief Marshal. and
Captain H L. Kuhnz his Chief of Staff.
They soon brought order out of chaos
il the assembled multitude, and more
devoted escort man never had than
that which shortly before Z o'clock
marched to the Mckinley home. A
platoon OF white-gloved policemen
headed the line and back Of this came
the Canton troop. This is an organ
ization of nearly 100 representative
citizens, organized early in the cam
paign to receive. escort and otherwise
entertain the visiting delegates. They
wore military coats broad brimmed
hats, top boots. and are well mounted
and we'll drilled in cavalry tactics. The
troop leaves for Washington to-mor-
row, and viii participate in the inau-
gural parade.
Following the troop came Canton's
famous Grand Army Band. This in
turn, was followed by the Third Bat
TALON Eighth Regiment Ohio National
Guard. This regiment was to have
been honorary escort to the President
elect on the trip TO Washington and
from the Capital station to the hotel
but the failure to secure satisfactory
railroad arrangements prevented this
as we'll as other Ohio military organiza-
tons. to join in the inaugural demon
stration. Three companies. signal
and a hospital corps constitute the
battalion.
I'm the order named were the Can
ton Business Mems Association, Grand
Army Posts. old soldiers, the First
Ward Republican Club. of which Major
Mckinley is a member; the Second
Ward Republican Club, other clubs and
societies and unorganized citizens of
Canton. Massillon and other surround
ing towns.
Thus organized, the column marched
through the public square and up Mar
ket-street hill. passing the Mckinley
home and then countermarched on
Market street When the Business
Mems Association was opposite the
Mckinley gate the column halted and
waited for Major and Mrs. Mckinley
and their attendants to enter the car
riage in waiting. This carriage was
drawn by four splendidiy caparisoned
horses, and around ii the members of
the Canton Business Mems Association
stationed themselves as guard OF
honor Two mounted aides rode
abreast of the carriage horses. and the
business men completed the hollow
square in which the carriage moved.
The Mckinley arch just at the foot of
Market-street hill was Illuminated as