The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-02
The Admiral Was Greatly Fa-
tigued by the Ceremonies
Attendant Upon :the Two Days
Celebration In New York.
AVOIDED THE CROWD.
Saw No One Yesterday Except
the Chicago Delegation
Which Called to Invite Him to
That City.

New York, Oct 2-The functions and
the receptions that have figured 50
prominently in the daily life of Admiral
Dewey since his arrival off Sandy Hook
last Tuesday morning have proven al
most too much for his strength The
admiral has been under such a perpet-
ual physical and nervous strain that
he is now almost exhausted. Satur-
days ceremonies were the most tax
ing on his strength of any that he has
yet had to undergo, and he appeared
yesterday looking pale and worn
Despite the fact that he retired early
Saturday evening and enjoyed a good
nights rest the admiral was too IA
tigued to do more than remain in his
room the greater part of the time ana
rest quietly.
At 10 o'clock Admiral Dewey had an
engagement to meet the Chicago com
mittee and before he came down he
sent a message to Mayor Carter Harri-
son requesting that he be not expected
to shake hands with the members of
the committee. The admiral explained
this request by saying that he had had
so much handshaking on Saturday that
his hand panied him severely.
Adrpira1 Dewey rose early, however,
sending for a cup of tea at o'clock.
Shortly after, he ordered a light break
fast, which was sent to his apartments
and which he ate alone. When the ad-
miral had finished his breakfast he sent
for his private physician, Or. Percy,
who was clOSeted with him for a few
minutes. Admiral Dewey later called
on the members of his family and his
relatives and chatted with them for
fully an hour.
He received Mayor Van Wyck at
O'Clock Mayor Van Wyck acted as the
escort of the admiral throughout the
day. He was present in the admiralS
room, he escorted him down to the par
Tor where the Chicago delegation was
to be received, and was the only repre-
sentative of the city in caring for its
gallant guest.
There were many callers at the Wal
dorf who wished to send cards to Ad-
miral Dewey, but few were permitted
to do so, the admirals fatigue being
given as the reason.
At 9:15 Mayor Carter Harrison, ac-
companied by Ira r. E. Garter, one of
the committeeman, arrived at the hotel
The other members of the committee
came Struggling in and at $3.50 they
were all present. The doors of the big
ballroom on the Waldorf side were
then thrown open and the members
of the committee, headed by Mayor
Harrison, entered the room. Mayor
Harrison then said to the committee:
You all know Admiral Dewey is a
modest man, and a man who dislikes
speeches, and who has but little
patience with the American habit of
handshaking- He has had so many peO-
pie to shake hands with since he arrived
IN this hospitable city that his hand
and arm are giving out. He has Just
now sent word to me to ask that at the
conclusion of the invitation for him to
visit our city, there be no attempt on
the part of the committee to shake
hands with him I know you would
all be glad to have him take your hand
but am certain you must appreciate
the situation, and L ask as a personal
favor that you honor his request Not
to do so might prejudice him against
chicago, and we are here for the pur-
pose OF asking him to visit US. Wait I'M
til we get him in our own city, then we
VIII take chances on shaking hands
with him.
Promptly at 10 O'Clock, Admiral
Dewey came into the room. He wore
a civilian suit, with frock coat and dark
trousers, and carried no hat. The in
slant he appeared there was a burst of
applause. He saluted and said:
GOOD morning, ALL
Admiral Dewey met Mayor Harrison
as ne advanced with a, cordial greeting
Mayor Harrison said:
Admiral Dewey, I appreciate vour
dlsllHe for set speeches, and have, there
fore, none to make. I only want to saw
that thank you in behalf of the Chi
cago committee for the honor done us
by your receiving US here this morn
ing. 1t is an honor second to none in
the land. And now wish to extend to
you. on behalf of the committee, and on
behalf of the city of Chicago, an invi-
tation to come to our city. We wish
you to come to US whenever you may
see fit We make no specific time, but
on October 9, when President Mckinley
is to be present at the laying of the
cornerstone of our new postohice. While
We may not be able, perhaps. to give
you as elaborate a celebration and as
perfect a ceremony as was yesterdays
we can and do promise you an equal
degree of enthusiasm If you cannot
come to US now, then consider the invi-
tatiOn standing one, and come at your
own pleasure. I now hand you the for
NAL invitation OF the committee
Admiral Dewey received the invita-
ton that Mayor Harrison extended to
him He held the invitation in his
hand and turned its pages. AS he con-
tinued to turn over the leVaes. he
glanced up and said:
Mr.. Mayor and members of the
committee, the honor is mine. 1 con-
slider it a great honor to be waited upon
by such a delegation as this, and I con-
slider it a greater honor that the invita-
ton is put in such a nice way, allowing
me to set my own time to visit your
city. I wish L could go to your city to-
morrow, but that is impossible. As
you know, am soon due in Washing
ton Then I must go to Vermont. I
must have some rest. and have not
been there for years It is my great
regret that cannot go at once to your
city. I wish so much I could be there
when President Mckinley win be there
I have a great regard for Chicago. 1t
is a great city. and during the last
year some Of the grandest letters I
have ever received came from Chicago.
4 thank you, Mr.. Mayor, and I thank
you. Chicagoans.
As Admiral Dewey concluded there
was a moments pause. Each of the
two principals seemed to hesitate. At
that instant some one in the front of
the crowd stepped forward to shake
hands with the admiral Mayor Har-
rison quickly interposed himself be-
tween the admiral and the enthusiastic
westerner, saying,as he placed his hand