The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1902-05-03

memphis, April 29.-Rain interrupt
ed an interesting days proceedings
yesterday before it had begun. a pa
triotie public. anxious TO do hospit-
able part by a distinguished guest, was
up early in the morning and found
| diseouraging prospect without, drip
ping skies, a wet sod and a stormy
outlook.
Admiral Schley. Mrs. Schley and
Mrs. Schleys guest. Miss Albert, were
as much disappointed as the general
public. Crowded trains were empty
Ing thousands of human beings into
the city. Street cars at daylight be-
gan to move toward the city center
with men. women and children aboard
bent on seeing the nations hero.
Every one expected great deal, and
the dampening drops chilled all enthu
siasm for the time being.
Admiral Schley is reported by one of
the hotel attaches appointed to look
after his interests as saying: Isn't
this shame, with all the dear people
coming to town today to see me, and
here | am housed up for the day |
feel like putting on a rain coat and
going out to shake hands with them
ALL" Such an utterance is strikingly
characteristic OF him. He is given to
just such thoughts and usually ex-
presses them.
Greeted All Callers.
During the morning number of
distinguished gliebts called. The ad
miral met every caller at the door and
grasped his hands. He seemed espe
cially touched that the rain had spoiled
SO much pleasure, and frequently ex-
pressed wish that he might receive
every one.
At noon it was communicated to him
that the afternoon programme would
be carried out upon the original lines
The rain had ceased to fall, and the
skies showed every indication of clear
ing. Dinner was first to be served.
Guests of the admiral dropped in dur
ing the forenoon. Many distinguished
citizens from three States we're pres
ent. To each there was a word of well
come To each there was a cordial
grip of the hand and an expression
of pleasure and good will
When the weather showed a dispo-
sition to join with the good folk of the
city in making merry in honor of Ad-
miral Sehley. IL was generally under
stood that the Auditorium would be
filed At IL o'clock the building be-
gan to fill. More people crowded into
the theater than any one believed that
1t would hold. The sky line was one
dark rim of applauding spectators.
Admirars Party Arrived.
1t was after o'clock before the ad-
miral and party arrived.
The admiral was greeted with tre-
mendous applause. A chorus of very
handsome girls. with flags and summer
gowns, walked down the stage center
with the distinguished commander.
singing The Stars and Stripes For
ever" The applause was Geafening.
The admiral and Mrs. Schley smiled
out on the great gathering. Both were
very much overcome with emotion.
There were tears in Mrs. Schley's eyes.
At last the music was hushed. The
chorus died away. and the girls in the
summer gowns with flags dropped out
OF sight. Only Senator Turley, Gov
McMillin, w. j. Crawford and Admiral
Schley were left standing.
In few minutes more all were seat
ed and Senator Tur1ey moved to the
front of the stage. and. waving his
hand with a caressing gesture at the
great commander on the stage, likened
him to Wellington and the battle of
Waterloo.
Formal Presentation.
Senator Turley said:
admiral and Mrs. Schley, upon be-
half of thousands of citizens Of this
section of the country. take pleasure
in presenting to you this silver sery-
Ice. | can safely say that the sub
scribers who purchased the slight tes-
tiInonial were composed Of all classes
of people. Irrespective of creed or polit-.
ical affiliations. The Democrats, the
Republicans, the Populists and even
the Greenbackers-in fact. all classes
of people have contributed to the fund
which made possible the giving of this
present. And / want to say this TO
you, that the people Of the United
States are satisfied with your course.
"They are Indifferent whether you
made the loop or whether you did not
make the loop. or as to what you said
of the actions Of the Texas in the con-
fict The people are satisfied with the
battle from beginning to the end, and
are glad that there was no change In
the loop. for It might have carried you
twelve or fifteen miles of and you