Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-06-15
PARADE IN THE RAIN.
Moisture Could Not Dampen the Ardor Of
Modern WoOdmen- Bryan's Speech
Election Of Officers.

Kansas City, Mo-, June 9.-Despite
the drizzling rain which at times
swelled into a downpour, the Modern
Woodmen of America gave a parade
yesterday which was credit to the
order and to Kansas City. Nearly
10000 men were in their places armed
with umbrellas, and the rain could not
dampen their ardor. The umbrellas
were kept raised during most of the
march. The fremen marched without
umbrellas or rubber coats, in their best
uniforms Most of the womsL were in
closed carriages. The parade was one of
the largest, if not the very largest, ever
seen here. One end had disappeared
in the distance long before the other
came in view. 1t was one hour and
ten minutes passing Eleventh and
Grand avenue. There were 20 bands
in the line, dozens of Forester teams,
scores of carriages and hundreds of
men.
The following officers were elected:
Head consul W. A. Northcott, Illinois, head
ndviser, Daniel B, Horne, Iowa. head clerk
Charles W. Halves, Illinois, head banker
Frank r. Crocker, Iowa, Head physicians
Illinois, Edward l., Kerns; Iowa, + j. VIII;
Kansas, j, b, Hibben; Wisconsin, Arthur
Center; Missouri, p. G. Palmer; Nebraska, S.
y. Ashby; Minnesota, G. A. McCollom; Michi-
gan, S. L. Rozema; South Dakota, A, W. Hyde;
Indiana, W, f. Green; Ohio, f. A. Smith,
North Dakota, Alex Stewart; Washington
Fred C., Miller; Pennsylvania, G, 7. Pryor;
Oregon, Hamilton Meade; Montana, John
W. Przelle Wyoming W. S. Conway;
West Virginia, C. I, Taylor; Idaho, W.
A. Adar. Board of directors Nebraska, A. R.
Talbot; Minnesota, J, D. Smith; Illinois, ]. W.
White; Illinois, NJ Quackenbush; Illinois, j. N.
Reece. Head auditors Michigan, Emory Town
send; Kansas, Fred W. PARROT; Iowa, c. c.
SAUNDERS Wisconsin, A. N. Bort; Indiana, L.
L. Georgia Head escort, Nebraska George E.
jenkins; head chaplain, Wisconsin, Rev. James
L. Churm; head Waterman, Ohio, E. B, Thomas;
head sentry, Washington C. D, Elliott.
Convention hall never before held
such large and enthusiastic crowd as
filed it yesterday. The huge audito-
rum was filled to overlooking with
thousands of persons who had gathered
there to hear and see. Naturally, the
drawing attraction was William J.
Bryan. Mr.. Bryan confined his re-
marks strictly to his subject, wood
craft" and said nothing pertaining to
politics. He was repeatedly interrupt
ed with cheers. Head Consul North
colt, in his Introductory remarks,
explained that Mr.. Bryan had been
invited not because he was a
politician, but because he was a wood
man. When Mr. Bryan made his ap-
pearance there were cheers and shouts
and waving of hats, which amounted
to an ovation. At the conclusion of
the addresses, thousands crowded
around the rostrum, eager to shake the
hand of Mr.. Bryan. The handshaking
lasted about two hours and the crowd
surged and pushed in such an excited
manner in its attempts to seize MIR.
Bryan's hand that the combined
services of Chief Hayes and dozens of
policemen were required to maintain
order.
A band of 300 pieces played the OPEN
ing piece at the Woodmen's bali in
Convention hall last night, and $4,000
people listened to the strains Of "Amer-
lea" The band was composed of mem
bers from every band that took part
in the parade and such volume of
music has probably never before echoed
through a vast building. When the
Third regiment band played the
grand march 1900 couples were lined
up on the floor and from the beginning
until the order of eight abreast was
reached at the end of the march %
minutes was consumed. The first num-
Der on the programme, following the