Woodruff County news., 1901-05-23
LAUNCHING OF THE oHIoe
The Great Battleship Galiantly Took to the Water In the Presence of Pres
 idont Mckinley.

Qay permitted the president JO Ill" tend the launching of the battleship Ohio from the yards of the Union iron works. To witness the launching of this ship, named in honor of his na- tive state, was the real objective of the presidents long trip across tho continent, and was the event which had attracted to the Pacific coast the governors of three states, the Ohio congressional delegation, several United States senators and niany oth- 1T notable and distinguished people. 1 When the president left the sick room of his wife in the morning, every arrangement had been made to noti- fy him on the instant of any change for the worse in her condition. The I physicians assured him there was no indication of setback, but at his request telegraphic connections were 1 made at the wharf ana at the ship yard, and save for time he was on the water he was not for minute away 1 from direct connection with the Scott 'esidence.
 The representative of the 4,500 em. I ployes of the Union iron works, in Q neat speech, in which he asked heartfelt blessing upon the head of the president and expressed tender sympathy for his suffering wife, pre- sented the president, as a token of the esteem of the workmen, with a gold plate engraved with suitable inscription. The presidents response aroused much enthusiasm. He told his audience of his friendship for the workingnlen during his entire public career and touched the hearts of the surging crowd before him as he spoke sloquently of the patriotic response California had made during the Span ish war. Many eyes were wet and more than one of the workmen made l suspicious movement with his coat sleeve as if to brush away an unbid. len tear.
 Then came the launching. A plat form had been built around the prov of the big iron monster which lay in the very slip in which the famous Ore gon was built and from which Presi- saent Harrison launched the moniter Monterey ten years ago. Gathered on the platform were the president and members of the cabinet, Gov. Nash of Ohio, Miss Deshler, his niece, who was to christen the ship; Miss Barger, who was to act for Mrs. Mckinley, and many uniformed officers of the army and navy. Immediately at the right was a relocated band. Below work. men were knocking away the last keel blocks until the great steel hull rested upon her cradle, and only a single beam, set like trigger and ready to fall aside at blow, held her in place. Miss Barber and the presi. dent stood before the electric appli. Rnce which controlled the guillotinc that was to sever the rope which would loose the weight that was to knock out this last beam. Miss Bar Der, with her finger on the button, At 12:221a, two and and half min utes before the tide was at it's highest, the time set for the launching, there suddenly shot into the face of the in. dicator the word ready" Miss Bar. Der pressed the button. The last block fell away.
 At the same time Miss Deshler, 8 young lady of r, in light gown with her dark hair braided down her baca in schoolgirl fashion, let go of the bottle of champagne suspended at the side of the bow by a red, white and blue ribbon, and as it crashed against the side she uttered the words, q christen thee Ohio"
 Released from it's bonds the heavy hull of 14,000 tons of steel went ploughing through the thick grease of its cradle. Slowly at first, then faster and faster she slid down the ways, taking the flood majestically and pill. ing up the water in great waves be- fore her.
 The band crashed, whistles blew and the multitudes shouted. No ship ever given to the American navy has taken her initial plunge into the -ea under more favorable auspices or ;n the presence of a more distinguished company.
 The trip back to the city was al- most repetition of the journey to the yard. There was the same wild demonstration from sea and shore. But on the way back the Slocum passed in formal review before the war ships. The president, with Secre- tary of the Navy Long at his side, stood at the wheelhouse during this parade, As each war ship was passed the tackles made a. blue hedge about the ship as they stood at the rails, shoulder to shoulder. The marine guard aft presented arms and the president got the four trumpet four ishes and drum ruffles to which he is entitled as commander-in-ch chief of the navy.
 As the Slocum sailed by the Wiscon sin, which was flying the two-starred blue pennant of a rear-admiral at the peak, Admiral Casey and his staff, like I.us< -l. --l <J<,x,