Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-10-05
DEWEY HOMECOMING
The Naval Hero Gets an Enthusi-
astic Welcome at Washington.
an INTERESTING civic PARADE.
The Catholic Societies Made an Effective
Showing In the Column Keyiewed-Ths
Letter Carriers Illuminated Envel-
ope and Other Novel Features.

L6tt6F VuTTttTb iiumihnhou H"'S'-
one and other Novel Features.
Washington, Oct. 3.--The home-com-
ing of Admiral George Dewey-for
henceforth the national capital is to be
his home-was made the occasion for
the greatest tribute ever paid by Wash
ington to any individual. The citizens
had made every preparation to make
the occasion worthy Of their hero.
Pennsylvania avenue was one mass OF
colored bunting along the entire line
OF march from the station to the white
house and, not content with this, few
private citizens failed to make some
display Of color on their residences.
On the facade Of the newly completed
government post office building famed
forth two Inscriptions set in electric
points, the one reciting the famous
message of the president directing
Dewey, then thousands of miles away
In the far east, to 60 forth to destroy
the Spanish fleet, and the other setting
out the famous admiral's direction to
the lamented Gridley, "You may fire
when you are ready, Gridley," which
marked an epoch in the history OF the
United States Twelve thousand mem
bers OF civic organizations paraded be-
fore him, besides tens OF thousands OF
non-organized citizens, and in roar OF
cannon rockets and the blaze OF red
fire and the thunderous cheeringof the
populace and the warm greeting OF the
head OF the nation, Dewey came to the
national capital to welcome such as
has not been known here hitherto.
The train as 1t reached the line OF
the District of Columbia stopped for a
few minutes at the little station OF
Deadwood while the reception commit
tee went through the formality of pre-
senting the nations guest the freedom
Of the district, The ceremony was
performed by District Commissioner
Wright in the presence OF the admiral's
feet captains, the military and naval
members Of the party and as many OF
the reception committee as could be
crowded into the admiral's car. John
Addison Porter, secretary to the presi-
dent, had first extended President Nc
Kinley's greetings TO which the admir-
81 returned his thanks very briefly.
In n few minutes the train was in
the brilliantly lighted depot. The
first Of the party to ieave the station
was the committee Of citizens and
army and navy officials who had gone
to New York to meet the famous ad-
miral and escort him to Washington.
They were quickly followed by the ad-
miral himself and when he appeared to
take his seat in the carriage the crowd
went almost wild with excitement.
As the admirals carriage swung
around the treasury toward the white
house brilliant spectacle was spread
out before him. 10 the right Lafayette
square was nblaze with electric lights,
the great trees and flower beds spark
ling with many hucd lights, while in
the midst shone out in huge electric
letters, "Welcome, Admiral" The
navy department beyond was ablaze
with lights AS We're the white house
grounds. A mighty roar went up from
the crowd as the admiral alighted at
the portico Of the executive mansion,
As he stepped from the carriage, COL
Bingham, representing the president,
stepped forward TO escort him 10 the
east room, where Secretary Long,
Assistant Secretary Allen aud bril-
liant assemblage of naval officials
were ready to extend to him the greet
ing of the navy. Arm in arm, Secrc-
tary Long and the admiral proceeded
by the elevator to the upper floor of
the mansion. The members Of the
cabinet had assembled in the cabinet
ROOM while the president was alone in
the library adjoining. As Secretary
Long entered with the admiral the
president came forward to greet the
famous sailor, and grasping his hand
wished him hearty welcome
The greetings with the cabinet were
brief and the president and Admiral
Dewey headed the party to the review
ing stand.
The head Of the civic parade which
had been arranged in honor of the ad-
miral began to pass in review before
him shortly after eight o'clock. There
were many novel and interesting fea-
lures relieving the sameness OF the
ordinary civic parade. The spectacle,
as the marchers came up the length of
the avenue in the glare of the red
lights, under sweeping arches of stars
from thousands of Roman candles, was
beautiful and impressive.
The Catholic societies of the district
made special effort to do honor to
the admiral and with excellent results,