The Topeka state journal., 1900-08-24

and the baby were lugged out while the
infant screamed; young women cllnging
to the arms of their men friends were
crushed and crowded until they scream
ed for relief; old men standing ten feet
from Bryan recited the words which
they had prepared to say to Bryan One
was complimenting himself upon the
fact that he had been chairman of the
county central committee in some Ne
braska county; another claimed prereerroo ero
ence because his father was born 100
miles from Bryan'S birthplace; another
wanted to say that he had seen Bryan
somewhere before; woman moaneo De
cause she had once been Bryan's neigh
Dor and knew him personally and all
his folks
These were the sidelights of the DEM
onstration which exhausted Bryan
Mr.. Bryan's secretary, R. M. Rose, Is
a strapping big man, over six feet tall
He knew the consequences of such per-
formances from past experiences, ana
started to his chiefs rescue.
This crush had lasted probably ten
minutes when the secretary's big frame
was observed burroWing through the
crowd. He reached the center having
made hole through which It was pos
sible to see the ludicrous performance
going on around Bryan.
David Overmyer was next to the
candidate and was close, too, because
the crowd had jammed Overmyer un-
der Bryan's arm. The heavy frame
of the Topeka man was planted against
those behind him. He was ~bucking the
His hat was gone; his hair was down
in his eyes. Mr. Overmyer looked like
a man who was having troubles of his
own He was talking, but in. the con-
fusion not a word could be understood
Then the private secretary put his 200
pounds by the side of Bryan, and the
manner in which he "bucked'' and
tackled the encroaehing line was good
to see.
Come on" he said to Bryan.
Bryan looked up with gratitude por-
trayed on every line Of his face and
obeyed without a word.
A flying wedge was made, with Rose
ahead, Bryan in the center, and plucky
Overmyer last. Rose walked through
the crowd as though the men and wo-
men were reeds. He pushed them
aside with care, but there was force
sufficient in his arm to move those who
stood in his way
The party reached the edge of the
crowd and started on a trot across the
grounds
ITO Representative hail. yelled some
one and the crowd made rush for the
west steps to the capitol. Bryan and
his escort were following that direc-
tion, but when they reached the cor
ner of the steps a haSty turn under
them was made and the three men hur-
ried under the arch and into the lower
state house corridor. They turned to
the left into the hall in which the
stairway to Representative hall begins.
The hall door was closed. Bryan sank
upon the iron steps utterly exhausted,
while Overmyer made a snort explana-
ton concerning the conduct of the peo-
pie which was truly a burst or elo-
quence.
and finally departed. When he was
found by Col E. c. Little, who had been
waiting in a carriage, the four men
were not again disturbed as they made
their way to the carriage and were
driven to the hotel
After the party had been secreted in
the state house, two men posted them
selves at the entrance under the steps
and attempted to prevent people from
going into the building. Men who hold
positions in the state house started
in but were rudely thrust aside by these
officious men. A stranger carrying
cane happened to have business with
the Bryan party. The two impudent
persons began at once a TRADE and at
tempted to keep him out The cane
descended in true Irish style, and the
big man of the two guardians OF the
door dropped. The little man splut-
tered around q. good deal and was very
brave until the cane swung around and
landed beneath his coat tails. He gave
a whoop and disappeared.
These were the closing incidents of
the afternoon meeting, and 500 people
had caused all the trouble and excite
ment.
MIR. TROUTMAN MADE A HIT.
The arrangements for the introduction
of the notification exercises yesterday
were badly made. At the outset 1t was
understood that David Oyermyer would
make the address of welcome, then the
thought that it was a Populist demon
stration caused other arrangements At
noon it was said Overmyer would make
the speech. At 1 O'Clock James Trout
man was selected.
Mr. Troutman'S speech was an excel
lent one. He made an unmistakable hit
with the crowd. His remarks were brief
and in a good spirit, an illustration of
which follows:
Tam not authorized to pledge Mr..
Bryan the electoral vote of Kansas, but
do say that he has the sincere admira-
ton of the people of this common
wealth.
In replying, Mr.. Bryan said: "Assur-
ances of respect are not so important on
election day as votes, but I desire to
thank Mr.. Troutman and the citizens
and city of Topeka for the magnanimous
spirit which prevails today