Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-10-12
The President and His Party Arrive
at Quincy, III.
CHILDREN sing NATIONAL AIRS.
Short Speeches Made by Cabinet Members
Brief Stops Made at Other Places and
Addresses DeIivered-A Monument
Dedicated ut Peoria, Ill.

to an improvised platform, from which
he bowed and smiled in acknowledge
ment of the veterans greeting, shak-
ing hands with as many as possible.
The presidential party wasnext driven
from the soldiers home to the city
proper, distance Of two miles. Six
thousand school children from all the
schools of the city, public and paro-
chial, were massed on the east side Of
the courthouse, waving flags and sing
ing national airs as the president ap-
peared. The streets were literally
packed with people The procession
went by circuitous route through the
principal business streets OF the city
until the public square was reached,
where the president and members of
the cabinet assembled platform to
review long files of veterans from the
soldiers home.
Afterwards short apeeches were
made by the president, Attorney Cen
eral Griggs, Postmaster General Smith
and Secretary Of State Hay.
Between Quincy and Peoria three
brief stops were made at Macomb Can
ton and Bushnell. At each Of these
stations the president was escorted
from the train to platforms erected for
the occasion and he made brief ad-
dresses. The entire population OF
these towns appeared to have turned
out to greet the chief magistrate and
he was invariably welcomed with
boupdless enthusiasm and applause.
Col. William J. Bryan sat directly
behind President Mckinley yesterday
afternoon at Canton while the presi-
dent delivered a brief address to the
citizens of that town. A street fair is
in progress at Canton and Col. Bryan
had been secured to deliver two
hours speech. The Nebraskan was
among the first to greet President Nc
Kinley as he left the train and as.
cended the platform. When the presi-
dent concluded his address he turned
and heartily grasped COL Bryan's out
stretched hand. "Good-by, Mr.. Presi-
dent" said Col. Bryan, and the presi-
dent responded with word Of fare
well. This closed the short meeting
between the former rivals Of 1895, as
the presidential train left immediately.
Col. Bryan delivered his address after
the departure Of the president.
A good part Of the population Of
Peoria, the second city Of Illinois, yes
terday took part in an elaborate dem
onstraton to welcome to their city the
president of the United States. The
great event of the day was the unveil-
ing Of a beautiful monument erected
by Peoria citizens as memorial to the
soldiers of the rebellion, living and
dead The monument Is tall shaft Of
marble, ornamented at the base with
bronze groups concentrating scenes
Of the civil war; 1t is erected on an
elevation in front Of the courthouse,
and platform had been constructed
upon which the president and the
members Of his party took seats to re-
view a long procession Of militia, vet
Grams of the war and returned volun-
teers of the Spanish war, The con-
course Of people surrounding this
platform and packing every street in
Its vicinity was by far the largest
which has thus far greeted the presi-
dent on his western tour. After his
review Of the parade the president took
his seat, facing the yelled monument,
by the side Of Hon. Martin Kingman,
chairman OF the exercises. After some
selections of music and an invocation
by Rev. DR.. John Weston, the monu-
ment was unveiled by Mrs. s. A, Kin
sey, who has been chairman of the
monument committee since Its incep-
ton In 1883. A great cheer burst from
the multitude as the folds Of canvas
fell away from the shaft. Then Presi.
dent Mckinley, leaning on the arm Of
Mr.. Kingman, and followed by the
cabinet officers, made q tour Of the
open space surrounding the monument,
inspecting Its beauties carefully on all
sides. The sculptor Of the figure at
the base, Mr.. Fritz Triebel, Of Peoria
also walked by the side Of the presi-
dent during this inspection. The
formal exercises Of dedication were
then proceeded with, an address was
given by Mr.. Kingman, followed by
the president who dedicated the mon.
ument In q formal aouress
At the conclusion Of the exercises q
brief opportunity was given the crowd
to shake hands with the president, al.
though the press Of time did not allow
more than an infnitesimal portion Of
the surging mob to be presented to
him. The party was next driven to
the Corn Palace" q building wholly
constructed Of corn, where the Peoria
corn festival was inaugurated by the
president. An informal reception and
dinner at the residence Of ]. b. Green.
hut was the closing event Of the presi-
dents visit to Peoria. The party
boarded the train at s,A5 o'clock and
was rapidly carried to Galesburg TO
spend the night.