The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-15
LEES TRIMPHAL PROCESSION
Thousands of People Gather Along the
Route of His Special Train to Greet Him
and show their Love for the Man

tohhc - ~S ~
Route of His Special Train To Greet Him
and show Their Love for the Man
Way Cross, ga, April 11.-Every sta
ton along the route Of Consul Cen
eral Lee special layished ~appreciative
tributes upon him. The country for
miles in the interior furnished ardent
admirers who came in carts. wagons
and on horse back Ladies filed the
car with handsome bouquets. accom-
panied by missives expressive OF their
admiration. Where is Lee?" was the
cry from Tampe. TO this place. and until
he made his appearance the crowds
could hardly control their impattence.
Whenever the general stepped 10 the
rear platform o~u5bursts Of applause
greeted him.
Before reaching Jasper, Fla, three
kilograms We're received on the train
urging him 10 make his appearance 50
that the people could see him. Arriv-
ing there the local company Of state
troops and a score of confederate vet
Grams with a wild crowd met him. "A
thousand welcomes to you, General
Lee, as a brave man, a THOUSAND well
comes to our old confederate cCmrada.
ten thousand welcomes to you for your
admirable official course as our consul
at Havana" said n of the gray mead
ed men.
Il thank you sir" said Lee" for your
kind expression. l thank the American
people for the commentator they have
shown my administration as your con-
sui general at Hayan / have never
really known until today how united
the people are in sanctioning my
course"
In the afternoon he endeavorei to
get some sleep, but lit was impossible.
The crowds would beseige the train
and even attempt to force the doors OF
the private car i their frantic efforts
to see the popular general. One aged
veteran said: 4 am 60 years old but
all L want o to do is to sound the
bugle and l will be with you saddle
and boots Don't put it off o long
general. let us go to haul down the
Spanish flag" This sentiment was
general along the line.
Johnston, Ca, April 11.-Way Cross
exceeded all previous points on giving
General Lee an ovation. AS the s0e-
cial train rolled through the railway
yard whistle and bell pealed forth
a welcome. Cannon rOared and mus
kerry ratified, while 4, 200 wildly excited
persons frantically crowded UP to the
car. General Lee was taken bodily
from the car and was introduced to the
crowd by Colonel S. G.. McLendon, of
Georgia, in the fol- ewing words:
AS long as human history is read,
the name of Lee will shine out as a
beacon light on the shores of truth and
honor n courage. This gentleman is
~Fftzhugh Lee, Of America"
An afternoon paper in a big scare
head Lee for president in
1900"
The special train will reach Wash
ingtCn about . O'Clock tomorrow after.
noon.
Savannah, Ca. April 11.-Genera1 Lee
arrived ait Savannah at $50 o'clock af-
ter what might be termed a triumphal
trip from Port Tampa, which place he
left early this morning. The trip was
made by special train, the tender of
the Plant system, General Superin-
tendent Bradford Durham, who was at
Tampa, ordering the special and turn
ing his private car over to the cOnsul
general and party.
Genera Lee was accompanied by
Vice Consul Genera Springer and Cap
tain Barker, consul at Sagua IA Grande.
Two or three newspaper correspondents
were aboard and General Lee was Un-
der the personal conduct of Hon. S. G..
M~cCI01QOH, OF l~nOI1aSN1lle IRA, ulVlS-
ION counsel of the Plant system. AT all
the stations along the route at which
the special stopped, ovations were ten
dered.
At Savannah more than 5000 people
We're at the station to see Genera Lee
when the train came in. The crowd
was enthusiastic and a short speech
was made by the general, which was
frequently applauded. AS the train
rolled into the station a platoon Of the
Chatham artillery of which General
Lee is an honorary member, began fir
ing the major generals salute of four
teen guns. After a stop of some fifteen
the train pulled out.
General Lee and the members of his
party were completely tagged out by
their long trip, which had been a
ticaIly devoid of rest for them. Or
ders were given here by the transpor-
tation department of the Plant system
operators north of this city ito with
DID all in crmatiOn as to the where
ibOuts of the train in order TO prevent
the consular party being disturbed IN
til after a refreshing sleep had been
had The party retired Immediately
after leaving Savannah.