Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-05-16
CALIFORNIA; ENTERED
Mckinley Passes from Arizona into
the Land Of Fruit and Flowers.
lVOyDERTUL RECEPTION GIVEN Hin


4 Carnival In Progress at Los Angeles-A
Flower Parade To-Day and Visit
to the Soldiers Home at
Santa Monica.
y Los Angeles, CAL. May s.-Yester-
day the president and his party had
their first taste of the hospitality Of
California. The introduction to the
land Of sunshine, fruit and flowers
was like a dream Of paradise after
the three days spent in the alkali
deserts of Texas, New Mexico and
Arizona. It was like passing into
fairyland. Nature seemed to have
adorned herself for the occasion in
her brightest colors. Gov. Gage and
the California congressional delega-
ton met the president at Rcdlands,
In the San Bernardino valley, at nine
o'clock in the morning, and well
coined him to the state. 1t was here
the president got his first faint idea
Of the wonderful reception which
awaited him. Through an avenue
lined with palms and Venetian masts
be drove over beds of roses, beneath
. tri,imphal arch of flowers and fruit
to the Casa Iona hotel, on the bal
cony Of which the exercises took
place. A drive through the orange
groves and parks followed. All along
the route OF the drive ladies showered
the president and Mrs. Mckinley with
flowers, and through the streets they
bombarded him from the windows
with confetti until the air was per-
feet maze Of color. From Redlands
down to Los Angeles 1t was one con-
tinuous ovation. Every station was
crowded with children with wreaths
Of flowers in their hands, and with
cheering men and women. Minute
stops were made at Cotton, Ontario
and Pomona and at $3.50 the traln
drew in to Los Angeles.
The approach to the city Of Los
Angeles was heralded by terrific
din which could be heard for miles.
Steam whistles screamed, cannon
doomed, and as the train passed
through the Chinese quarter Of the
city long strings Of fire crackers hung
from awnings exploded like the con-
tlnuous rattle Of musketry. The city
had been beautifully decorated in
honor Of the presidents coming. The
fiesta is in progress here and the
town was dressed like a queen to re-
ceive the coming Of her lord. The
colors Of the carnival red, yellow and
green, representing the wine, orange
and olive, predominated. The streets
were avenues Of masts festooned with
yellow bunting and crowned with
palm leaves and with wreaths of
laurel. At the station the party was
met by the citizens committee and
many distinguished people from all
over California. Gen. Shafter, COM
mander Of the department Of the Pa
ciAc, with his entire staff in full uni
form, had come down from the Pre-
sidio TO greet his chief. Secretary
Of the Navy Long, who was to have
met the party at San Francisco, also
came here to meet the president and
was at the station. The party were
driven in carriages to the Van Nuycs
hotel.
In the rotunda OF the hotel the
mayor of Los Angeles formally greet
ed the chief executive and extended
to him the freedom Of the city. The
president then held short public re-
ception in the parlors Of the hotel.
Meantime Mrs. Mckinley and the
ladies Of the party had been driven to
the Women's club in Figuora street,
where they met the ladies Of Los
Angeles.
In the evening the president and
Mrs. Mckinley dined at "Bivouac,"
the handsome residence Of Gen. Har-
rison Gray Otis, and after dinner a
private reception was held there in
their honor. They spent the night at
the "Bivouac."
Late in the afternoon some of the
members Of the presidents party as
ccnded Mount Low, 5000 feet high,
whence they had n brl's-cye view for
70 miles of southern California and
the Pacific ocean, 90 miles out to sea.
Last night the members Of the cabi-
net md other members Of the party
witnessed the brilliant illumination
IN the streets. The whole city blazed
with fantastic colors and the air was
a binding snowstorm OF confetti
thrown by the merry rioters.
To-day the president and party will
witness the floral parade and in the
afternoon n visit will be paid to the
soldiers home at Santa Monica. The
train will leave Los Angeles early to-
morrow morning.
Los Angeles, Cal, May lo.-From a
broad blue canopied pavilion, sur
rounded by the members Of his cabi-
net, the governor Of Ohio and nota-
bles from many states, President Me-