The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-13

4 eilhs Vi pretty women IN pretty gowns,
| who as soon as they learned that the
hero of the hour was to be seen waited on
the portico for him to come. He passed
| through this group also with even a
brighter smile of welcome, because it was
| larger and more demonstrative in the
open air.
The demonstration of the occasion, how
ever, was waiting for him when he came
| out BY this time the crowd was i'm
mense, filling the entire portico and
streaming out into the plaza in front of
the building. There was a narrow lane
for his passage to his carriage and that
| was all.
| A Storm of Cheers.
He came out with Judge Day. There
was a storm of cheers such as has very
seldom greeted an occupant of the White
House himself. There were more rebel
yells and hurrahs for "our next Presi-
dent and America" Before the two
gentlemen could drive away small boy
had fastened a Cuban flag to the whip
socket of the carriage. Its bright colors
Jul int nthb cO"h
the driveway. The badge man with a
board full of Lee badges sold them all out
in five minutes and went for more.
Gen. Lee is the popular idol in such
peculiar way as only comes once in long
time. There was in every cheering crowd
yesterday the very clear evidenc that
there was tension in the air and whole
world of enthusiasm ready to break out.
The comment was heard more than once
that Mr.. Mckinley might have had all this
overflow of patriotism for himself If he
had seen fit to take it in this crisis.
Gen Lee dined at Harvey's with Vice
Consul Springer and Mr.. Harvey. Later
in the evening there was a demonstration
in his honor, as related elsewhere in The
Times.
The Trip from Tampa.
The trip from Tampa to Washington
smashed all records. The special train
left over the Plant system at 80 o'clock
yesterday morning and arrived at 2:lS
o'clock, cutting nine hours off the regu-
lar scheduled time. Every station along
the route lavished tributes upon Gen. Lee,
and whenever he stepped to the platform
the crowds cheered him wildly.
When he landed in Tampa the
streets were packed with patriotic citi-
zens of every age and color. He was given
splendid ovation. The Fifth Battalion
Band struck up Hail TO the Chief as
the party stepped to the pier. The Fifth
Battalion of the Florida State troops
were present, attired in full dress uni
! forms, and local divisions of the Confed-
crate Veterans were also on hand TO do
honor to their gallant leader
An interesting feature of the occasion
was the presentation of card to Gen.
Lee. expressing their JOY at his return
from the land of Spanish treachery, and
rendering their services for the protection
of American honor whenever he should
say the word.
The only sad feature OF the entire
journey barring the insults offered by
the Spanish rabble and officials at Ha-
vana, was an accident which occurred at
Port Tampa. when one of the assistant
engineers OF the battleship Maine fell
under the wheels of the train as he was
trying to board IL. His shoulder blade
was broken and he had to be left at the
inn at Port Tampa.
The route of the flying special was as
follows:
Via the Plant system from Tampa to
Charleston, passing through Sanford,
Fla; Jacksonville Waycross, Ala; Sa-
vannah, Ga. and Green Pond.
Charleston to Richmond, by way Of the
Atlantic Coast Line passing through
Ashley Junction. Florence, Wilmington.
Weldon, and South Rocky Mount n. c.,
which point was reached at 7:45 o'clock
yesterday morning.
Richmond to Quantico by way of the
Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac
Railroad, and from Quantico to Wash
ington, over the Pennsylvania system.
Crowds were at every station along the
line from Rocky Mount as the train
passed along this morning, but the recep-
ton at Richmond was by far the most
enthusiastic of them all II was General
Lees home town, and everybody turned
out to do him honor.
Welcomed at Richmond
The arrival of Gen. Lee. Gov. Tyler said
to reporter last evening. brought out
one of the largest crowds and caused one
of the most remarkable demonstrations
ever witnessed in the capital of the
South.
The big yards and all the space around
the depot had been cleared of trains. so
as to make room for the crowd. which
commenced TO gather an hour before the
train arrived. When 1t pulled into the
station the Howitzer Battery fired the
major generals salute of thirteen guns
and the band played Dixie" amid a
shout that fairly lifted the roof from the
big car shed. The Richmond Light In
fantry Blues Battalion was drawn I'D in
line and presented arms as the train roll
ed in. Many other military and civic or
CARNATIONS were on hand.
Gov. Tyler and staff headed the crowd
of about 5000 people. The cheers were
deafening when the consul general ap-
peared on the rear platform. For ten
minutes he was given one of the greatest
ovations ever seen there.
''F'itZ FitZ, Our Own Fitz" was heard
from thousands of threats and now and
then the band played AUD Lang Syne"
and Home, Sweet Home" Gen. Lee
finally caught sight of Mrs. Lee in the
throng and tender smiles passed over
both faces. The crowd surged to one
side, and made an opening for the wife
and daughter to reach the train and
strong arms lifted them bodily to the
platform. There was a subdued hush for
a moment.
Mrs. Lee kissed the consul general af-
fectionately and stepped aside for the
daughter, who fairly flew into Gen. Lees
arms and put both arms around his neck.
Gen. Lee kissed the fair young face.
stroked her head and tear glistened in
his eye for moment. 1t was touching
and tender meeting.
Gen. Lee Speaks.
Suddenly laundering shout resounded
through the yards, and cries of Speech
speech came from all quarters.
In response Gen. Lee bowed to the
crowd. He said he was still in official
harness and could not publicly discuss
Government affairs
But / was reared soldier" said he,
land believe more in action than In
words" prolonged applause)
lyon fellows must want tn fi0ht said