Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-05
The Biggest Auditorium in the City Crowded
to the Doors, and Twice as Many
Unable TO Gain Admission.
SPEECHES BY DEMOCRACY'S LEADER
As His Special Train Sped Across the Little Mountain
State-CroWds of People Turned Out at Every
Station to See and Hear Hn-Mr. Bryan in Good
Form in Spite of Hard Journey.
From a STAFF Correspondent.


CUMBERLAND, Md, September A.
William Jennings Bryans hurried trip
across northern West Virginia from
the time he entered the State shortly
after noon was an almost continuous
ovation, eliminating tonight in the
biggest political demonstration ever
held in western Maryland.
The trip was made in a special car
kindly rendered by General Manager
Underwood, of the Baltimore & Ohio
When it is considered that compare
lively few in any one community knew
what time the train would arrive, the
meetings was addressed by Col Bryan
were truly remarkable. There was not
= station no matter how unimportant,
at which there was not an eXpectant
group and at the largest towns the
crowds would have been considered
large if Col. Bryan had been adyer-
tised to speak.
On the contrary, however, the infor-
nation was given out that he positive
ly would make no addresses from Jne
rear platform of his car.
The arrangement was ignored be-
fore the journey was fairly started Mr..
Bryan yielded to a request for a few
remarks at Benwood Junction.
A very unusual feature was
The Number of Ladies
who crowded about the car, elbowing
the men in their eagerness to grasp the
hand of Colonel Bryan, which was gra-
ciously extended to those nearest him.
Col. Bryan did not make the same
speech twice. He appeared to gather
his inspiration from the upturned faces
of his auditors, and the enthusiasm
which his brief remarks created proved
that he was most happy in his choice
of topics. The party in the car, which
consisted at first of Hon. John T. Nc
Graw, Col. l.. V. Baughman and a half
dozen newspaper correspondents, was
gradually augmented and when the
train rolled into Cumberland tonight
there were a score of distinguished
West Virginia Democrats aboard and a
reception committee from this city.
To-night's meeting was held in the
big Acadamy of Music, which was lit
orally jammed
Long before the arrival Of the Bryan
party the doors were closed and ar
rangements were hurriedly perfected
for speakers
For the Overflow Meeting.
There were twice as many outside as
were able to crowd into the building,
which had a seating capacity of / 500
and must have accommodated 500 more.
Cheers from the inside were answer
ed with cheers from without and the
enthusiasm knew no houu1s. 1t was a
gala night for Maryland Democrats,
who were not only accorded the priv
ilege of listening to the eloquent Bryan
but ALSO heard a mastery address from
United States Senator Wellington.
who publicly proclaimed his reasons
for leaving the Republican party on the
issue of Imperialism. The climax of
his speech was his declaration that he
would vote and work for Bryan, which
was answered with cheers which were
prolonged for several minutes.
Arrived mt Benwood.
The special train which will be used
by Col. Bryan during his tour of West
Virginia was made up at Wheeling.
Mr.. Bryan came from the west on the
train due at Benwood Junction about
noon. It was twenty-five minutes late.
Col. John T. McGraw. MeSsrs. c. H.
fancy, I. S. Riley, Robt. Simpson,
Robert McNichol, DR.. John A. Camp
bell and several other Wheeling Demo-
Gratis went down to the Junction. A
large crowd had gone down from Ben
wood and it was augmented by the B.
& o. employees at the Junction, many
of whom went without their dinners
in order to see the distinguished Ne
braskan.
When the train came to a stop Col.
Bryan stepped out of sleeper, follow
ed by several newspaper correspon-
dents. He shook hands heartily with
COL, MetIraw and then made his way
through the crowd to the special train.
Col. Bryan was carelessly attired in
light striped trousers, blue serge coat,
negligee shirt, and broad white hat
He Looked somewhat older than upon
the occasion of his last visit to West
Con DIN N al nm sixth parc