The Topeka state journal., 1899-09-26
DEWEY is HERE.

w WQISLleS IN Sa1uLe.
One of the first large vessels to sight
the Olympia was the passenger steamer
Monmouth, of the Sandy Hook line,
which left Atlantic Highlands shortly
after seven O'Clock for her New York
dock. Just as she got well under way
a war vessel was seen through the fog
and passengers and crew headed by the
Monmouth's captain, gathered at the
rail to read the newcomers name. To
get near enough to do this the Mon
mouth changed her course and headed
directly for the Olympia blowing her
whistle in salute as she did so. AS soon
as the name was made out the Mon
mouths passengers cheered with all
their might. and in a few moments an
answering cheer came over the water
from the warship's sailors. many of
whom We're gathered on deck.
The flagship came up to the lower bay
and anchored inside Sandy Hook. As
soon as the anchor was dropped, an or
derby was sent ashore with dispatches
from the admiral and other officers. He
said the ship had had a pleasant trip
across the Atlantic and that all on
board were well and glad to be home
again.
The Olympia's crew were put to work
Immediately cleaning the ship. Many
small vessels are sailing around her
and their number is being augmented
constantly. The members of the family
of Admiral Dewey who are stopping at
the Waldorf-Astoria did not seem sur
early arrival Charles Dewey of Mont
pelier, Vt, the admiraTs brother, said:
This is not altogether unexpected,
as we thought the admiral would be
here a couple of days before the cele-
bration. Possibly he desired to have a
couple of days to get the ship in good
condition for the celebration.
None of the family viii go down the
bay today to see the admiral and none
of US expects to before Thursday"
The admiraTs early arrival was a
matter of great concern to the city
who are arranging for New
York's official welcome.
Secretary Foster of the reception
committee went to the City Hall early,
and at once issued a call for a special
of the committee. Mr.. Foster
said he could not forecast the commit
tees action but he thought it prob
able the committee would go down to
the Olympia this afternoon and meet
the admiral. Mayor Van Wyck hurried
to his office where he found the follow
ing telegram:
olympia arrived this morning. Will
go to Tompkinsville tomorrow
GEORGE DEWEY"
The mayor advised the calling to-
kilograms were sent out calling on the
of the plan and scope COM
mittee and the various subcommittee
to meet as quickly as possible at the
City Hall
St. Clair NIcKeIway, the chairman
of the subcommittee of the reception
was the first to arrive. Mr..
thought the reception COM
mittee would wait on Dewey tomorrow
instead of Thursday and that Dewey
would remain in the anchorage off
until Friday. Then the
regular reception would take place on
Friday and Saturday according to the
city's programme.
The Sandy Hook steamer Monmouth
passed the Olympia early this morning
and those on board of her were the first
to see Admiral Dewey. One of the
passengers said:
I'VE saw Admiral Dewey quite plain
ly. Fifteen feet behind him stood eight
of his officers in uniform. The admiral
alone of all men on bOardship acknowI-
edged the cheers of the passengers and
crew of the Monmouth. He raised his
hat continually, bowling and smiling
The ship looked in fine trim, consider
ing her long voyage, but the exterior of
her hull was scanned with rusty
streaks.''
Today for the first time in many
years an admiraTs salute was fired in
New York bay. Fort Hancock saIuted
with II guns when the Olympia passed
coming in.
There was no demonstration of an Of
fetal character in Rear Admiral Samp-
sons fleet off TompkinsvilIe when the
news of the Olympia's arrival was re-
ceived. Signals announcing Dewey's ar
rival were hoisted and there was con
siderable cheering which although a
violation of the strict rules and regula-
tiOns of the navy was not officially no
ticed by the commanding officers.
1t had been planned that one of the
fleet, probably the Texas. would so
down to Sandy Hook and escort the ad-
mirals flagship to her anchorage in
side the Hook but. of course this plan
had to be abandoned. There will be no
action taken by Reas Admiral Samp-
son in the matter of saluting Admiral
Dewey until the Olympia reaches the
upper bay tomorrow
When the Olympia reaches the upper
bay Admiral Dewey viii find that the
quarantine station Will be decorated
with 1,5OO red white and blue electric
lights. On the terrace are letters nine
feet high spelling Welcome Home
They are set against a natural back
ground of green and show white in the
day time and will be lighted with cleo
tricitv at night