New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-14
PRESIDENT AT NATURAL BRIDGE.
AN ENJOYABLE OUTING TAKEN BY MIR.
AND MRS. MKINLEY

Hot Springs Va. May i3-Thc President ana
Mrs Mckinley with few friends visited Natura'
Bridge to-day. They left the Homestead ai'er an
early breakfast and at S15 o'clock started on thcf
trim over the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad III u
snecia train which brought the party to HotsprihsS
Tn. run was through a mountainous and WHO coun'
,rv Knowledge OF the Presidents intended Jour-
ney had evidently preceded him, TOT al each s'a"O"
a group of men and women tried 10 eaten si"ps'
of the Executive and his wife. Only one stop was
made and that to change engines al Sni,oh rois.
There A. J. Duncan. nephew or MI. Mchihiey'
,oined the party No effort was made for ias'
time an ntimaton having been given that an easy
run would be more acceptable and comfortaole.
Natural Bridge was reached about noon. Here
a large number OF nondescript conveyahces' lion'
a four-in- hand bus 10 a single sadde-norse' were
gathered about the platform. The President was
the first to alght, bowling to the people VINO hao
assembled Rain had fallen heavily In the night
only stopping soon before the train arrived Inc
clouds broke, leaving clear atmosphere, "hieh
nermitted the enjoyment OF the view onerea oy 'ie
mountain ranges and valleys. The ROAD. however
was badly washed and deep in mud, so that II was
feared the rough ride would not be benehciai 10
Mrs. Mckinley. who remained IN the car VIII" ~
and Mrs. Rixey for company.
All along the three-me drive to the bridge were
negro cabins and at each stood group OF men
and women and band Of children VINO "aFeo
hats and handkerchiefs as the carriages pissed.
At a crOSSrOa0 were a HulHDci VI
ern negroes and as the President passed the oio
"uncles" bowed their bare heads, and NAT NC
Kinley raised his hat.
After entering the grounds OF the Natural brldse
property the descent by path is steep and Jagged
m the level of the stream which flows beneath the
arch President Mckinley took the lead. and pro-
ceeded so brskly over the stones and slippery
nlsces that he was soon far in advance OF the re-
mainder OF the party. Directly beneath the ROAD
of rock were assembled about fifty young women
pupils al the Hollns Seminary, near Roanoke, Va
who were there on an excursion. This President
stopped for a few moments as he reached them
and they were introduced and shook his hand
curious freak of nature directly In the centre
of the dome was called to the Presidents attention.
This is distinct impression OF an eagle, with out
stretched wings. made by moss and rock stained
By the action Of water. g., 49,
NJ McKinley was greatly impressed by the
scenery. and so expressed himself severaI IiIles
The ascent TO the level Of the roadway was marc
work but Il did not appear to aHect the, Ftess
dent except that he became somewhat heated.
After an Inspection Of the cottage first owned oy
Thomas Jefferson. which stands at the end OF Inc
bridge and a look down the ravire from me Top o
the bridge. the party drove back to the tram. As
the Presidents carriage was driven away the sem
nary girls gave several hearty college cheers. MIS-;
Mckinley watching az car-"IhuoW anu
waved her hand 10 the President as he came up. ,
The star: for Hot Springs was mace al z'lo, anu
luncheon was served on the train. Hot Springs was
reached at 6 p. N. These in the party we're tne
President and Mrs. Mckinley. Secretary and Mrs.
Gage Mr.. and Mrs. P g. Shumway and Willlam
G. Hoag OF Chicago: Mr.. and Mrs. J; g. schmlo,,
lapp and Edward Colston; Of Cincinnati; tre s
sterry: Assistant Secretary Corteyou. MI Barnes
and A. j. Duncan, OF Clifton Forge