Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-06-26
COL. BRYAN AT MINOC0uA.
A Village Made Famous by a Noted
misunderstanding Glimpses
of a Strong Personality.

I
Visitor Interesting Glimpses
of a Strong Personality.
The excursion train which reached
Wausau last Tuesday afternoon at two
O'Clock, from New Lisbon, contained a
goodly number of Bryan sympathizers
and large body of them boarded the
coaches at this city enroute to Minoc-
qua, where William Jennings Bryan
was billed to speak in the evening.
The train of six coaches and one com
bination car left the St. Paul depot here
at 2O5, and ere long all of the Bryan
men on the train were wearing badges
typifying their party utilization Mer-
rlll sent about as large body of excur-
sionists Us Wausau, but Tomahawk
capped the climax by pouring such an
influx through the aisles Of the train
that it seemed that standing room
! would even be scarce The smaller vii
lagos along the line, between Merrill
and Minocqua, added little
lunches of excursionists, and by the
time Minocqua was reached upwards
OF a thousand people stepped from the
coaches to the already crowded plat
form, where citizens and strangers had
gathered to welcome their brothers
| from the south, and where a band was
stationed to play several selections
while the newcomers passed from the
/ n 40 hf,f l. 4 o
II was five o'clock when the train
reached Minocqua, and as Mr.. Bryan
was not expected to begin speaking
much before eight O'Clock, sight seeing
was INDUCED in by many, while others
Immediately sat down to supper and
prepared themselves bodily for the FEAST
OF reason which would follow later.
Minocqua is very beautifully situated,
being almost surrounded by Lake Ke-
waukesauga, and distributed here and
there along its banks are pretty pine
! groves, underneath which are comfort
able little cottages, from whose veran-
das grassy lawns lead down to the
beach. Not far south of the depot the
cottage of Col NJ G. Wetmore is sit
uated and under its roof w. j. BRYAN
and family were entertained during
their stay in the village. A large Amer
lean flag was huttering in the breeze at
the top of tall flagstaff in front of the
| building, and out on the lake rowboats
were moving over the blue waters. 1t
was an inspiring scene, calculated to
soothe the busy brain and to appeal to
the natureloving spirit in the breast of
man. Bryan has made Minocoua
famous, and where it was not known
outside OF the state three weeks AGO, its
name is now spoken by millions of peo-
pie, from Lake Superior to the Gulf of
Mexico and from Maine to California.
And Minocqua deserves this widespread
ovation, for it is in the heart of the
magnificent lake region of Northern
Wlsconsin region that in few years
Will be the most famous for outing.
camping, and scenic purposes to be
found anywhere in the country.
Several of the Wausau excursionists
took stock of fishing tackle along with
them, and during the last hour of the
afternoon fiShcd from the long pile
bridge, Il short distance above the vii
lage, catching many fine perch and
having sport enough to keep them on the
Jump most of the time. Among the
fishermen were Jos. Heinemann, G.
hurth, Charles Helke and Aug. Dietl.
Shortly after seven o'clock the peo-
pie began to gather on the lake front.
where the gaily decorated speakers
stand had been erected, and before
many minutes had passed the long
plank seats had been filled, and only
standing room was left. At eight
O'Clock fully two thousand people were
on the grounds, anxiously awaiting the
arrival Of Mr.. Bryan and party, who
could be seen across the lake at Col.
Wetmore's boathouse, preparing to en-
bark in boats. They soon swept out
onto the lake, in line of five or six
boats, and gradually neared the north
shore, where the -tand awaited them.
As Mr., Bryan stepped ashore he shook
hands with those near, and then the
line of march was started toward the
speakers stand. With hat removed, a
man of magnificent physique and
charming presence, this tribune of the
people was cheered to the echo as he
took his seat on the elevated platform.
surrounded by friends and his family.
Mrs, Bryan sat at the east end of the
pavilion, with her little daughter nestled
in her lap, and near her were MIR. and
Mrs. Wetmore and family.
Much has been said of Mr.. Bryan as
an orator and statesman, but little has
been said of him as man. One incl
dent which impressed itself deeply upon
the minds of many present, was his
kindly forethought for the comfort and
pleasure of others. M p Beebe, form
erly of Wausau, who for several years
past has lived upon a homestead on the
lake shore, near Miuocqua, went up on
the platform to shake hands with Mr..
Bryan, and during the conversation
between the two the latter noticed that
Mr.. Beebe, who is quite deaf, was using
tube apparatus to aid him in hearing.
With his own hands this man of sympa-
thetic heart placed chair at the front
of the platform and mohoned Mr..
Beebe to be seated, and there he re-
manned during the evening, hearing
one of the best addresses that the great
orator has ever delivered, and having
memories of the occasion born within
him which viii be a treasure and pride
in his declining years.
As said before, Bryan is man OF
magnificent physique, being of rugged
build and over six feet tall. His feat
ures denote an intellectual energy that
reminds one of the great men of the
past, and his voice is resonant and deep