The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-11-17
THEY HONORED
E. W. FLENTGE.
A Big Demonstration at His
Residence on Sprigg
Street.
A Torch Light Procession
By More Than 200
Citizens.

Nsvcr before in the history OF oIi
city vas there a more patriotic demon
stra.ive display in honor of any can
! diG&te or officer. either national. state
or county. than the ovation rendered
: our feliow-townsman Mr.. +. w.
( F.entge. collector of Cape Girardeau
county. on Monday night at his resi-
dence on Sprigg street. Mr.. tlentge
was out in the western part OF the
county collecting taxes and was una
ware of the preparations of his friends.
However, he was phoned that his
presence was requested here on mat
ter of business, and he came home,
never once suspecting the truth.
1.-THE boys met at Oberheide's, on
Broadway, and as the town clock
ticked the hour of nine, the order to
fall into line was Immediately respond
ed to by about two hundred enthusi-
astic young men, accompanied by
three score or more of torch bearers.
while at the head of the procession
Blues Military Band discoursed some
choice march music as the procession.
gally and light-hearted, trod up
Broadway and then down Sprigg, oc-
casionslly disturbing the sweet slum-
bers of ,the night air with Three
cheers for Flentge."
This body of patriotic citizens
marched to the front OF Mr.. Flentge's
residence, where they gave vent to
their enthusiasm by loud cries of
"Flentge!" Mckinley" and "Roose-
velt!" Those cries echoed and re-
echoed far and near. They came from
the lips of two hundred and more pa
triots. and it could be plainly seen
that Mr.. 'Flentge, who stood upon the
terrace in front of his residence, was
much affected.
After the band had played selec-
tion, Charley Daues, to whom we
might rightly affi x the appellation,
The boy orator Of the Cape" mount
ed the stone steps, and, standing as it
were upon a pedestal, with naugnt but
the canopy of heaven as a covering,
and Venus smiling swectly down upon
the scene. delivered the congratula-
tions of the multitude which swarmed
in the street. and in words which fell
upon the ears of his listeners as ro-
mantle and fascinating as the bubble.
bubble. of "a mountain stream as It
leaps from rock to rock. kissing the
banks ON it, light To
the sea.
Mr.. Flcntge then stepped forward
and was greeted with three mighty
cheers. For a moment ne gazed upon
that crowd. tear mounted his cheek. |
"Boys. I'm too full for utterance. "
Some of them misconstrued the mean
ing and there was another cheer. Mr.. |
Flentge then went on and thanked |
them from the bottom of his heart.
Boys, it is impossible for me to ad- |
dress you as this demonstration has |
so touched me that l cannot in words |
express my heartfelt thanks and ap-
but my doors are OPEN
enter.
The crowd did not need a second in
ritation. They entered, and found !
within that little house the true hospi-
"a lity of an American citizen.
Refreshments were brought forth in
short order, and Mrs. Flentge, the
'air hostess, assisted by her neighbors
placed before the visitors lunches and
ielicacies which could not have been
better.
The house and terrace were crowded |
and speech-making prevailed.
Two orchestras and mandolin clubs |
md two quartettes furnished plenty !
Df amusement inside, while brass
1and and a drum corps did full JUS
ice in the ward.
The visitors were all rOvally treat
d and they will ever remember the
lappy hours they spentat Mr. Flentge's
nome. while Mr.. Flenrge in return can
veil ice! proud of this demonstration.
= il was never before equaled in this
.ity or county.