The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-02-25
PRESENTED TO THE TEXAS.
GIFTS TURNED OVER TO THE
OFFICERS OF THE BIG SHIP
AT GALVESTON.
THOUSANDS VISITED The MONSTER
Estimated That 5000 People Were
Turned Away-Speeches by Governor
Culberson, Lieutenant Governor
Jester and Others-Parade.


Galveston, Tex, Feb. 19.-(Special)-.
This morning the wharves at and about
the foot of fremont street were besieged
with people anxious to get out to the bat
tleship Texas. At 10 O'clock there were
at least 1900 persons awaiting transpor-
tation. All the steamers and schooners
and barges. that went out to Bolivar
Roads were crowded. Trips were made
with all possible speed, but the facilities
of conveying people out to the warship
were wholly inadequate. 1t would have
required twice the number of vessels to
accommodate the crowd.
1t is estimated that 5000 pople were
turned away from the wharves unable to
secure transportation to the battleship.
The railroad officials apparently had no
idea that there was going to be such a
swarm of people from up the state and
the preparations they made were by no
means requisite. Every train that ar
rived this morning was packed and JAM
med Regular trains We're in several in
stances late, owing to the heavily-laden
tEullS, NllCn tlSiilts WHY W
bring along on schedule time.
At noon Maj. A. NJ. Miller and Lieut.
Judson, in full uniform, paid an official
visit to Governor Culberson at the Ire
mont hotel Capt. Glass and the chief
officers of the Texas called on Governor
Culberson at 2 o'clock. While the gov
ernor was receiving the battleship Off
GERS the marines and militia stood 'at
rest" on the street below.
The reception was over at 2:30, and
then the officers, with Governor Culber-
son and Capt. Glass at their head, walked
down stairs. They got into carriages ac-
cording to their rank, the procession was
formed, and at 2:35 p. m. the march to
the Beach hotel was begun. The head of
the procession did not reach the Beach
hotel ulsIl o'clock. Both sides of Ire
mont street were lined with thousands of
spectators, and the parade was a fine
sight. Z
There were eleven carriages, contain
of the battleship and other distinguished
gentlemen, followed by the marines flom
the battleship and the state militia.
At the Beach hotel the band stand had
been arranged with chairs for the officers,
committeeman. the governor and his staff
and others to take part in the ceremonies,
and the silver service had been laid out
where all could view it.
When all the members of the silver SER
vice committee, the officers of the battle
ship, the governor, his staff, the prin-
cipal military officials and representa-
tiyes of the Daughters of the Republic
had been seated on the platform, the ma
rines and the militia lined up around the
grand stand and stood in dress parade.
The band began to play the national an
them, MY Country, 'Tis of Thee" Soon
after the completion of the national an
them. the band began to play Dixie
and tremendous yell went up from the
audience, which continued as long as the
band continued to play the southern mel
ody. A still louder yell went up and there
was a tumult of handclapping when the
band struck up yankee Doodle
There were at least 10000 people lined
around the grand stand.
The regular ceremonies began with an
address by Thomas Balinger MIR. Bal
Iinger traced the history of the nation and
of the republic of Texas down to the
present time.
Governor Culberson then made an adj
dress in which he traced the history of
Texas, paying a glowing tribute to those
heroes whose names are familiar to every
resident of Texas.
Governor Culberson's speech was vo-
ciferously applauded. Upon it's conclu-
sion Mr.. Ballinger introduced Lieutenant
Governor Jester In introducing him
Mr.. Ballinger said:
81 have the honor to introduce to you
the Hon. George T. Jester, who will pre-
sent 20 the Texas, on behalf of the
Stephen A. Austin Chapter of the Daugh-
tiers of the Republic, the lone star flag
Mr.. Jester was accorded hearty re-
ception in presenting the flag.
Mr.. Ballinger next introduced Mr.. G.
e. Ashe of Houston, as follows:
L
Texan is San Jacinto. 1t is meet, then,
that from the San Jacinto chapter of
these honorable women. who undertake
to commemorate our history, should be
presented TO the Texas Texas library
and the portraits of Texas heroes.
have the honor to introduce Mr.. c. E.
Ashe.". Then Mr.. Ashe presented the
gifts of the chapter.
Mr. E. A. Hawkins, the representative
of the Sidney Sherman Chapter of the
Daughters of the Republic of Texas of
Galveston, was then introduced. "The
Sidney Sherman chapter" said Mr.. Bal
linger. ethan which name there is none
more loved in Texas history, desires to
add its quota to the batteship Texas.
Mr.. Hawkins. on it's behalf, will present