The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-23

All Wilmington was agog yesterday
over the joyful an~ticipations that the
Wilmington Light Infantry, Company
x, Of the Second North Carolina regi-
ment, United States volunteers), would
arrive home from Raleigh on the $40
o'clock p. m. train over the Atlantic
Coast Line. From morning till after
noon the residences n stores along
the streets were being decorated IL
honor of the home coming soldiers, and
by 4 o'clock the city had put on a holi-
day appearance with gay bunting and
flags flying in all directions. Most all
the stores were closed n business
generally was suspended.
MAGNIFICENT DECORATIONS.
Every glance of the eye, it mattered
not in which direction, was greeted by
a festive sight. One that thrilled the
soul and sent a tinge Of excitement
through your warm southern and pa
triotic American blood. Here, there,
everywhere were displayed a dec
orations. From the utmost pinnacle of
high buildings Old Glory famed the
breeze. Large flags were suspended
high up in midair across the streets,
hanging down in graceful folds. Near
ly every building along the line OF
march, whether imposing in appear
ance or not, presented a solid front of
streaming banners, artistically ar
ranged v~arigated bunting, and pretty
f~estooning of flowers.
Away up in the air betWeen the Ma
tiona1 Bank of Wilmington building
and the drug store of Mr.. j. G. Munds
were suspended two very large and
very handsome editions of the Amer
lean flag. Further up Front street a
banner was swung across the street
directly in front of the Merchants AS
ISOLATION headquarters. Flags were
also stretched across the street in
front of the handsome building of Mr..
James Sprunt, British vice consul.
The Fishblate clothing establishment
was attractively decorated with flags
of all nations. Extensive, and we may
say grand decorations, were displayed
at the large shoe store of Messrs. Geo.
r. French & Sons. At the Bonitz Hotel
the decorations were lavish and III
abundance.
The imposing Light Infantry armo-
ry presented a gala appearance and
one of magnificence. Flags were pro-
miscuOusly displayed and many mean
descent lights brilliantly glowed at the
IdllCc III lll1oCi NA~
ever beloved word, Welcome" This
was the idea and donation of the Will
mington Gaslight Company. The spa
cious, attractive lawn in the rear of
the building was brilliantly m
by large arc lights furnished gratis by
the Wilmington Street Railway Com
pany.
Two large American flags were dis
played in front of the pOstOffice, and
the flags at the court house and Mes
senger office were given to the breeze
all day up on lofty poles. The Cape
Fear Club building was gaily decor
ated.
Many establishments were decorated
in honor of the suspicious event. NOta-
bly, were the Racket Store, Rankin's
grocery store, Tienken's barber shop,
Schloss' crockery establishment, Peter
son q Rulfs' shoe store store, Murray
& Y~arborough's barber shop, Warren's
bakery, Solomon's dry goods store,
Gieschen Brothers cafe, Yates sta
~tionary store, Shepard's drug store,
Warren's confectionery establishment,
Holmes & Waters grocery store, Ger
ken's cigar emporium, Nuts drug
store, Globe saloon, Bear & Co.'S whole
sale dry goods house, Love & Co.'S hard
ware establishment, Shrier's clothing
store and the headquarters Of Mr.. Mar
tin Newman.
The SHIPS IN the ndrDOf were Dedu-
tifully decorated with flags n bunt-
ing. Notably among the decorated YES
sells were the American four masted
schooner VIM. NJ. Bird, the British
steamship Hawkhurst, Captain Wat
son, n the steamer Marion, Captain
E. D. Williams.
At 4:3O .. m. the organizations to take
part in the escort which was to meet
the soldiers, assembled and formed at
the armOry of the Wilmington Light
Infantry on Market street, between
Fourth and Fifth streets. With Col
onel Roger Moore, as chief marshal, in
charge, the bodies moved down Market
street at 5 o. M, and with the Second
Regiment Band at the head, discours-
ing inspirating airs, the procession
moved on Market street to Front and
thence up Front street to the Atlantlc
Coast Line depot. Mr.. James w. Mon
roe. the popular president of the band,
headed the procession, and he looked
every inch a leader as he sat like a
born horseman on his handsome horse
-Pantaloons.' A great crowd lined the
streets, and the pavementS were Jamed
with people making their way to the
depot. AS the procession moved, the
gun detachment of the Naval Reserves,
under command of Lieutenant j C.
Morrison, fired salutes with a howitzer
at the foot of Market street, and when
the procession came down the detach-
ment fell in and proceeded to the de-
pot in the parade.
At the depot the organizations form
ed on Front street, with the rear col
umn resting at the bridge over the rail-
road and the van at Front and Walnut
streets. Fully 1000 people were as
sembled. and all anxiously awaited the
oming Of the train. Meanwhile. Lieu
tenant Morrison's gun detachment
hauled it's howitzer to Mutt and Red
Cross streets, and when the train was
rolling in fired salutes.
The train rolled in under the shed
on time. and the soldier boys disem-
barked from the train amid the great
est enthusiasm. Their hands were
wrung by many friends who a push
ed their way under the shed, and in a
few minutes after their arrival the
men formed and marched out. They
were received with hearty cheers, and
the Second Regiment Band. which was
awaiting them at the gate, played while
the crowd yelled. AS the soldiers came
out from the bridge they were GREETED