Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-09-30
NEVER SUCH THRONGs BEFORE
Square Miles of People Packed So
Closely That No One Could
Bulge.

NEW YORK, Sept. 29.-The throngs
scattered in Battery park surged toward
the sea wall to-day when 1t was announced
that the Olympia was In sight with Ad-
miral Dewey on board.
FROM this time on, the excitement OF
the crowds increased, and when the guns
Of the Olympia began to answer the sa-
iutes from Castle William and Bedl3e's
island, the shouting and general uproar
at the Battery defied description.
The Olympia passed close enough to the
battery for her men and guns to be seen
plainly, and the thousands also recog-
nized the figure Of Admiral Dewey on
the bridge. and broke into such an out
burst Of cheering as has probably never
iioated over the waters of the bay before.
The admiral lifted his cap and bowed re-
peatedl.,
In the crowd were many of the visiting
soldiers who are to take part in to-mor-
rows land parade. There were more than
so Of them In one group, and their shout
ing would have done credit to five times
their number.
Thousands gathered on Governors island.
The visitors scattered themselves over the
earthworks and along the sea wall, and
some had seats on Castle William and the
buildings overlooking the bay.
The Olympia was greeted with a great
huttering Of handkerchiefs and flags as
she arrived off Castle William, and after
salutes had been exchanged between the
shore battery and the warship the crowd
followed the vessel along the shore and
remained watching it until it had disap-
peared up the North river
The multitude that gathered on Riverside
drive was in itself a sight that words can
,Nfa 4
see IL, description can convey only a bare
suggestion. From every direction and from
all points, north, east and south, the way
was steadily westward, and the great sea
of people that had gathered in the morn
ing was swelled at noon by streams of
persons that flowed steadily through every
street and thoroughfare which had an out
let on the river front. The natural aspect
oil the landscape was almost bIotted out,
and from Scventy-second street upward a
great wall of human beings lined the shore.
80 derseiy packed that a stand having
once been taken 10 person could move 10
right or left.
II was nearly impossible to bulge. and
arms were pinioned to SIDES feet seemed
rooted in the soil and the free action of
any individual person was practically i'm
possible. 1t was a case of move with the
crowd or move not at all in this section of
the city. "a
he houses on the river were abiaZe with
color and above many of them long
st:eamers of red, white and blue fioated
from tall fiagpoles. Many of the houses
were decorated elaborateiy, and in thi,
section each householder seemed 10 have
wed with his neighboT in the attempt to
make a brilliant demonstration. The name
nf Dewey was embroidered in many of the
large flags which covered the fronts of
houses. and sentimental phrases of adrnira-
tion Tor the admiral were freely exhibited
on all sides. Hour after hour the crowds
waited patiently. uncomplainingly
The country cousins of Father Knicker-
booker who visited New York for the fret
time spent portion of the Idle hours in
specting the wonders of Grant monument
Next 10 the Olympia and the great admiral
hlmsef. this seemed to be the chief poInt
Of interest for persons from outside of
New York city. Vi
Perhaps. taken all in ALL the best land
view OF the parade was obtained from The
drive and from the Grant monJJ-
nent. The time consumed In rounding the |
staksboat the st. Mary's gave persons in
his section Of the city ample time TO view
-he world renowned white squadron and
10 catch occasional glimpses of the adj
niral and other officers on the deck of the |
Olympia. '''e
When the guns of the Olympia thunder
I'd out salute. the cheers that went nm |
rom the hundreds of thousands that had
gathered in the vicinity of the Grant mon
lment almost drowned the noise of the
guns that had silenced the Spanish fleet
II Manila on that early Nav morninr a
1pd n hall %