The age-herald., 1900-04-27
COLONEL SANFORD
 GIVEN AN OVATION
Enthusiastic Reception By the
 People of 0peIika.
EAST ALABAMA 0VERJ0YED
Special Train Brought the Nominee For Governor From Montgomery to His Home in Lee County
 Decoration Ceremonies

opelika, April 2s-(Special.)-T people of opelika today chartered a special pas senger train, which was sent here from Montgomery to carry a large delegation Of OpelilSa people to escort Hon. William J. Sanford, who was nominated for governor of Alabama yesterday, to his home in this city. Hundreds of yards of bunting draped the rolling palace which carried the vast throng.
 This train left Montgomery at 2 o'clock tonight for Opelika, bearing Colonel sam ford and family and hundreds of friends, and reached here at 6:30. The trip was one that beggars all description. It reminded one of the return of some Caesar from a mighty war, laden with all the spells of conquest of empires. All along the tri- umphal march throngs were gathered to pay tribute to the Christian Confederate soldier and statesman, and orator-who wears the highest crown a commonwealth can give. The swiftly moving train sped past vast bonfires whose lurid flames stab bed the dark sky; deafening yells and cheers from hamlets arose and pierced the air. At Auburn 1000 people met the train, while bonfres turned the night to day T OuI HuiluISu CduelS lTOm tUe Stdle COl- lege formed in hollow square, while bands played, Hail, the Conquering Hero Comes' and Dixie" Here Colonel Sanford made five minutes address, but could not be heard for the deafening applause. It was applause, applause.
 AtOpeIiisa
 It was at his home, Opelil<a, that the continuation came. The greatest demon stration in the history of East Alabama was given to this man, who off and on for thirty years has made our laws and hon. ored Alabama. When the train stopped pandemonium reigned supreme. Every engine in Opelka had its whistle tied down, all the bells were rung violently while the roar of the musketry deafened all. The long array of militia, clad in new uniforms, glistened in the bonfire's fitful glare and the electric lights, while from 5,000 throats there burst out screams and yeils of praise, while the people, almost mad with joy, and intoxicated with love for their statesman, surged for acres around his special train, like pillows on the sea. At this writing the vast crowd is still madly cheering. The steady tramp of the soldiery is resounding through the streets. The cannonading of fireworks is filling the atmosphere with smoke. The roar or the steam whistles, the clang of the bells and the mad music of the bands adds to the tribute that a reunited demo- cratic party of loyal white, men pays to this statesman who in his fifty-odd years of life stands today the foremost man in Alabama and statesman without stain.
 East Aiahama oraxy With Joy
 This is the grandest day and night rich in riot and extravagant admiration of peerless man, east Alabama has ever known. Colonel Sanford is in fine health and spirits, but thoroughly fatigued He Is grateful to the people for their over whelming support, and promises all the power of his body, mind and heart to labor for their welfare, and he thanks The Age Herald for it's kind words
 Decoration Day was observed here with unusually impressive ceremonies, all bus- ness was suspended and the procession was unusually long and brilliant. Rev George R. Eager of Montgomery delivered the ad- dress. Beautiful flowers were in abund- ance while all the military here partici- pated.