Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-09-07
THE C. A. R. PARADE.
It Was Over Six Hours Passing the
Reviewing Stand.
The PRESIDENT VISITS The FLEET.



campment and President Mckinley In
his drive over the route OF the parade
aroused great enthusiasm. From the
fronts Of the building to the curb the
people were packed in solid mass and
even breathing was difficult. As re-
suit of the crush about 400 men, women
and children were overcome and taken
from the crowd to various hospitals.
With President Mckinley and Mayor
Ashbridge there we're on the reviewing
stand: Rear Admiral Melville, Rear
Admiral Sampson, Capt Chadwick,
Capt. Taylor, Capt Sigsbee, Capt.
Train and score Of other officers OF
the North Atlantic squadron, Secretary
of War Root, Secretary of Agriculture
James Wilson, Jacob G. Schurman, OF
the Philippine commission, secretary
to the president, j. A. Porter, and as
sistant secretary to the president,
George B. Cortelyou.
The parade was six hours and ten
minutes in passing the reviewing stand
and $4,000 men were in line. At the
head Of each organization marched
military bands and drum corps and, as
the veterans moved proudly along the
streets, tremendous applause greeted
them and q sea OF handkerchiefs and
small flags waved in admiration and
welcome.
When the Ohio posts appeared the
aged paraders became wild with en-
thusiasm. One veteran broke ranks
and, standing before his comrades,
shouted: "Three cheers for the big
gest man on earth-Maj William Nc
Kinley, Of Ohio" This invitation for
cheers was followed by mighty roar
which was echoed and re-echoed among
the spectators for blocks.
As the various posts passed in review
the president stood smiling and bow
ing and, on numerous occasions, waved
his hand to the most enthusiastic Of
the marchers. When the torn battle
flags were dipped in salute he joined in
the applause by clapping his hands.
At 4:1b the president boarded the
barge to visit the feet. Every vessel In
the harbor propelled by steam let its
whistle go and this, with the cheers Of
the crowds on shore, made deafening
noise. The president was the first to
step on board Of the flagship from the
steep ladder that hangs over the New
York's side and, as he did so, the entire
squadron belched forth the presidents
salute Of 81 guns, or 1870 guns in all.
The bands Of all the ships simultane-
ously played Hail to the Chief"
The president was received at the
gangway by Rear Admiral Sampson
and the staff officers Of the ship who
were in special dress uniform. The
rail was manned by the men during
the formal greeting. The call to
quarters was then sounded and every
man on board ship sprang to his place
just as though an engagement was
about to start. The sight greatly
pleased the president. Mr.. Mckinley
was then shown over the whole ship.
The return Of the president to the
shore was an inspiring one. The
Texas was moored furthest up the
river and the presidential party had to
pass each of the great vessels on its
return to shore. The river was alive
with craft crowded to their utmost
capacity and great noise was being
made. As the barge neared the flag
ship, the signal was given to salute,
and six big ships again belched forth II
terrific salute. Every man and officer
on the ship stood attention and the
bands added to the din by again play
ing Hail to the Chief" The barge
was stopped while the salute was be-
ing fred and after it had ceased the IL
brawny sailors pulled for the shore
closing one Of the most patriotic
scenes that has ever taken place on the
river.
Enthusiasm was rampant at night.
Wherever President Mckinley APP
peared he received a tremendous ova-
ton, particularly at the Academy Of
Music, where the Grand Army was
officially welcomed to the city and
state by Mayor Ashbridge and Gov.
Stone.
Addresses Of welcome were made by
Gov. Stone and Mayor Ashbridge, to
which L. Terrence, Judge advocate OF
the Grand Army, responded. The
president was introduced as "Comrade"
Mckinley and made short speech.
A few minutes later the presidents
party left the Academy Of Music and
proceeded to the Odd Fellows hall,
where President Mckinley was the
guest Of honor at banquet rendered
by George G. Meade post, the Lafayette
post, of New York, and the Kingsley
post, of Boston.
The presidential party afterwards
retired from the hall and drove di-
rectly to the Pennsylvania railroad
station, where the party boarded a
special train and left for Washington.
The fight for commander-in-chief
continues and each candidate still feels
sure that he will land a winner. The
contest among the cities for the hold
ing of next years encampment has
narrowed down to Chicago and Salt
Lake City. 1t is practically conceded
that Chicago will be the winner.
The committee on pensions of the
a