Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-10-05

Admiral George Dewey went throuvh
Wilmington Monday afternoon bound
from New York to Washington. M
formal reception was given him here
but as if by common consent, a great
gathering Of people assembled along the
railroad tracks to greet the hero nj
Manila Bay, the fighting Admiral. That
the Admiral appreciated the outpour.
ing OF popular enthusiasm was auite
evident from his gracious acknowledr.
ments as he stood on the rear platform
of the special train. The thousands
who saw him were more than delighted.
How many people were in the long
lines from the northeastern to south.
western limits Of the city, it would be
the number at 20, 600. They had heard
that Dewey was expected on special
train somewhere about O'Clock and
they started for the tracks so as to be
in time. As soon as school broke, the
pupils hocked to the railroad, too, for
they know that Admiral Dewey has an
especial fondness for children. Their
teachers also sought the scene.
On sidewalks, on roofs and porticos,
in windows, on freight cars, on piles OF
lumber, the populace awaited Admiral
Dewey. As usual, false alarms of his
approach were heard, and the people
craned their necks up the track only to
see TN ordinary engine and an ordinary
train. II was no ordinary engine that
they were looking out for. They knew
that the Dewey engine. No. 36, was
going TO be beautifully adorned and
when they saw an engine without deco.
rations that settled the hoax. Al the
Philadelphia. Wilmington & Baltimore
railroad station, French street, Tho
largest crowd was gathered and squad
of police under Capt Thomas A. Kane
was there to prevent accident Whila
awaiting the idol Of the nation, the
crowd enjoyed various incidents. For
instance, a man In sailors uniform
and man in citizens dress were seen
on the platform Of train which Ere
ceded the special. There's Dewey"
shouted one, speaking of the sailor
Immediately the man in citizens dress
stepped forward, took off his hat and
with a bow, said IN sorry I'm Hob.
son, but can't kiss you, | haven't
time"
1t was just about 4. 80 O'Clock when
tho thousands near the station heard
the deep notes of the staid old whistles
on the manufacturing establishments
that lie along the railroad to the cast
ward Lit did not take long for them
to decide what that meant. 1t meant
that Dewey had entered Wilmington.
Among the first to soc him were chill
dren from No. II School, near Land
18th station. Then the employees Of the
Pullman Palace Car Works gave him
a cheer, and as the train slowly moved
past the other establishments and into
French street station, the enthusiasm
roso higher and higher as more and mUre
people took up the vociferous greeting.
When the locomotive moved around
the curve and towards the station tho
crowd burst forth into cheers. Then
came the question would they see
Dewey" Everyone wanted to soc
Dewey. An accommodating trainman
near the front of the train shouted
Back on the last carr and people
saved their eyes for the last car OF
course they saw the handsome officers
in full regalia in the parlor car, but ii
was Dewey, cousin George" as Mr..
Dooley calls him, they were waIting to
see. And they saw him.
As tho train passed along, Dewey WAS
seen standing on the observation plat.
form of the rear car. He was in cti-
zen's dress. Everybody has seen his
picture and had no trouble in recogniz-
ing him, although he has fuller face
than his picture generally gives. Then
there was enthusiasm; the people
simply cheered and shouted and showed
their Joy in most unconventional form.
Fire bells were changed and fire engine
whistles footed, and the Stars and
Stripes were waved.
The train reached French street sta
tion at 4.32 O'Clock, but made no stop.
1t ran slowly through town and gave
all good opportunity to see the ad-
miral.
The particular hero Of the day was
Charles Winkler, aged Ii years, son Of
Mrs Anna III. Winkler of No. lil0
French street. Near. French street sta
tion, this boy tried to board the rear
platform. He was about to give it up
when the Admiral encouraged him 10
stick to it, The Admiral has q way
of inspiring his men with courage, and
the same characteristic had its effect
upon the boy who soon grasped the
railing of the platform. Dewey leaned
over and gave the lad cordial hand
shake, and when tho hoy opened his
hand, a $40 gold piece glistened there
When near Market street, Winter
dropped from the train, the proudest
boy in Wilmington.
While Winkler was having his expert
ence, Police Captain Thomas a. Kane,
who was one-time conductor, knows
how to board train, was riding on
the steps of the platform and he, too,
received a hearty handshake from I'M,
Admiral. Another to see the Admiral
more closely than the crowd was Evan
Saville, q messenger boy at the station,
who delivered telegram and a boz
and bouquet of carnations, addressed
to Dewey. The flowers had been left
by two pretty young women and bore
card reading From admirers OF
Admiral Dewey, Wilmington, Del,
October I'd. y Saville was on the train
from Poplar street to Orange.
AS the train passed the Harlan "
Hollingsworth CO. Il works, where the
| torpedoboat Stringham is preparing
| for her trial trip and the torpedoboals
Hopkins and Hull are under construc-
ton, the workmen laid aside tools for
q few minutes and saw and cheercd the
| fighting Admiral.
Through all the enthusiasm md
cheering and cordial greeting, Admiral
Dewey, with uncovered head, pleasantly
bowed Acknowledgements. When he was
no longer in view tho crowd went home
10 toll over and over again how they
had seen Admiral George Dewey.
l