The San Francisco call., 1897-07-07
HAPPY DELEGATES
They Came 158 Strong From
Far St. Louis.
Chairman McClain Tells the Story
of Their Trip Across the
Continent.

st. Louis came to the Golden Gate 15S
strong last night.
The delegation from that city is in
charge OF W. II. McClain, a veteran in
the transportation of parties OF this kind,
and II was due TO his extensive experience
that the members of his party Jared better
than most Of the Eastern delegations.
He took the precauuon to make every
preparation in advance. In consequence
his special train of four coaches and a
baggage-car got through in fine shape.
Il was the fourth train 10 arrive in this
City from Ogden, where there were sixty
two trains when the St. Louis special
pulled out. At that time il was announced
that train would be sent out for San
Francisco every forty-five minutes. Each
of these specials carries IRON $50 TO 30
persons. According TO this arrange ment
1t VIII take about two full days to bring
all the Christian EnGeavor pilgrims to
their haven of rest Oh the shores OF the
Golden Gate.
The St. Louis party arrived about 7
o'clock last night and are mostly quar-
tered at the Palace and Grand hotels.
Mr.. McClaiu had an interesting story to
tell or the experience OF his party.
I'VE left st. Louis" he began, ION
Tuesday, June %. Our train was one of
the four that got through on time. We
had three meals all the way over. men
ton this because most of the others were
we'll satisfied 10 get one. Everywhere
along the roue they ran out OF provisions,
but had made contracts with all the no.
tells along the line, and so we did not suf-
fer on that score at all.
''W hen We left Ogden" he continued,
there were siXtytwo trains waiting To
get tnrougn. These, l was Told, would be
dispatched at the rate of one every three
quarters Of an hour. This is done 10 in
sure safety. The trains are run on the
b ock system, and accidents are there by
prevented. | want 10 say that l consider
the service of the Southern Pacific under
the circumstances to be highly commend
q Bile.
ION our way we stopped a: Denver, Col
orado Springs and Salt Lake City and Wis
ited ali the points OF scenic interest.
ave received our first mpressions of
California at Auburn, and the experience
was one not to be forgotten many q long
year, if ever. The committee showered
US with magnificent bouquets and flow
ers, and brought innumera bic boxes OF de-
liclous peaches into the cars. We were
simply astounded at this liberality of the
Californians. We had heard OF the hos
pitaiity of the people Of the Golden Stale,
out were HOI Qulte prepare eu ~ See ~ Nerl-
fed in this remarka e manner.
"At Sacramento the reception was also
most gratifying. Here We were met by a
large body of people prisinL the re-
ception committee: There must have
been at least.300 of them. They did all
they could TO make us feel at home, and
were ready with eli kinds of informatioE
that might be of service to the mem bers
of me parry. Their efforts were certainly
fully appreciated. While the train stopped
we had a song service. They would sing
one verse OF hymn and our party would
respond with the next.
From my knowledge o. what the work
entails | teel competent TO say that 1
think the local committee has done admir-
able work, considering the DELAYED trains"
Mr. McCiain was chairman of The Inter
national convention which met at st.
Louis in 1890, so speaks III the light OF
experience. He is also vice-president