Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-20
SCHLEY IS OUR GUEST
0maha's Gates Swing Wide Open to Welcome
Distinguished Naval Hero.
CROWDS GREET HIM ON HIS ARRIVAL
Rend the Air with Applause as He Sets Foot
on Nebraska Soil,
MAYOR PRESENTS THE KEYS OF THE CITY
Prominent Citizens and Army Officers Call to
Present Their Respects.
MAYOR PRESENTS THE KEYS OF THE CITY
PLANS FOR PUBLIC RECEPTION TODAY
city Hall Rotundn, where the Func-
tion VIII Take Place This After
noon, lis Handsomely Decorated
for the Occasion.
Program for Today.

| Public receation at the City hall, TO
Evcning-Reception by Union Veterans
! Legion,
| Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley and
Mrs Schley are the guests of Omaha.
! The distinguished naval captain and his
charming wife arrived in the city at sos
Friday morning and will remain until next
Wednesday, when they leave for brief
western trip, going as far as salt Lake,
with stop at Denver. During their stay in
Omaha the gallant rear admiral and his wife
are domiciled at the residence Of former
United States Senator Charles +. Mander-
son, at whose invitation they made the trip
to Nebraskas metropolis.
All Omaha has been edge for some time
in expectation of welcoming the man who
smashed Cervera's fleet, and this afternoon
at the city hail. from to o'clock, the gem
eral public will be given an opportunity to
| grasp the hand of the intrepid officer who
commanded the mighty cruiser Brooklyn on
that eventfu third day of July that prac-
tically ended the war with Spain.
The city's guests remained within doors
| yesterday, owing to the bad weather and
their desire to recuperate from their journey.
During the morning Mayor Moores called
and presented Admiral Schley the keys OF
the city. Several other prominent citizens
to all kindly greeting was extended.
Arrives in the Rain.
In the midst of pouring, penetrating rain
that deied umbrellas and soaked through
rancoats and carriage coverings several
hundred people congregated at the Burling-
ton depot to be among the first to welcome
Schley. The unfavorable weather and the
fact that the people realized that this was
rot their only opportunity to extend felicita-
tlons prevented the crush that would have
occurred under other circumstances, but the
corridors of the depot were well filled and
the long platform was closely congested
with enthusiastic spectators. The train
pulled in promptly on time and Admiral and
Mrs Schley left the Pullman at once ana
were escorted to the carriage by General
Henderson, who was waiting to conduct
them to his residence. The admiral was
quickly recognized by the crowd and when
some one yelled What's the matter with
Schley?" the familiar answer was vocifer>
ated with a will. While there was no ex>
travagant demonstration, the cheers of the
spectators were tremendously enthusiasts
and the admiral bowed pleasantly to the
crowd that courteously made room to clear
the way to the carriage.
The visitors were driven directly to the
Henderson residence at 300 Chicago street
passed under two handsome silk flags that
were draped over the entrance, and were
met by Mrs. Henderson, who Joined with
the general in the cordial sincerity of truly
western welcome. The pleasant interior of
the dwelling was in grateful contrast to the
storm that continued to beat on the land
scape bright wood fire burned in the
crate of the cozy parlor and the rooms were
effectively decorated with huge clusters of
mir
Schley were disposed to rest as much as pos
sibe after their long trip and the forenoon
was passed lounging in the comfortable
chairs and chatting informally with such
guests as dropped in thus early in the day.
Mayor Presents Keys of the City.
One of the first callers was Mayor Moores
who presented the admiral with the emblem
OF the freedom OF the city This consisted
OF two huge golden keys bearing the inscrip-
tion, Omaha welcomes Schley the Hero of
Santiago" and they were tastefully deco
rated with the colors of Ak Sar-Ben. The
keys rested in a solid bank of American
Beauty roses. and the sentiment was ac-
cepted by the admiral with a cordial express
sion OF his appreciation Mayor Moores dis
cussed the general details of the reception
which will be rendered to Admiral Schley in
the rotunda of the city hall Saturday after
noon, and remained for some time in gen
and his guest.
During the forenoon a committee rep
resenting the Royal Arcanum also called to
confer in regard to the reception that they
will tender Admiral Schley Wednesday
morning, and John N. Baldwin of Council
Bluffs came over to complete the arrange
ments for trip to that city, which will oc-
cur Tuesday forenoon. The party will leave
Thirty-frst and Farnam streets at $3.50 on
one of the cars of the Council Bluffs &
Omaha Railway company, which will be
switched to that point for its accommoda-
ton reception committee from the Iowa
city will accompany the car which will stop
at the Grand hotel, where carriages will be
in waiting to take the party on short drive
through the city and in Fairmount park.
1t will return to the hotel at 12 O'Clock,
where a luncheon will be served and then
the party will return TO Omaha in the special
car.
DIR. George L. Miller president of the
Greater America Exposition association also
called during the morning to urge the wish
OF the association that the admiral will par
ticipate in the celebration Of Schley day on
July 3, the anniversary of tho battle of San
tiago. Admiral Schley and Mrs. Schley alike
expressed a wish to return to Omaha at that
time and after some conversation they ac-
cepted the invitation, subject to the ap-
proyal OF the Navy department as the ad-
miral Is still on duty.
Among the other callers of the forenoon
were Rev. Il. j. Mackay and Fred j. Ssckett
Hon. j. Sterling Morton and Senator Hay
ward were said to be the way, but they
did not arrive at the residence during the
morning
VIII Attend Trinity Sunday.
About II o'clock a special messenger
brought Admiral and Mrs Sehley a very
urgent invitation to attend the Sunday
services At the First Methodist church, either
in the morning or evening. Unfortunately
this arrived trife late, for the question haa
already been settled in favor OF Trinity
Episcopal cathedral. The admiral is a Bap-
tist. but as Mrs Schley is q deyout Eplsco.