The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-08-29

Short Drive Taken About the City of
Augusta Early in the Morning and
Later the Chief Executive Delivered
His Principal Speech at Bangor in
the Presence of an Immense Throng.
On His Way to Nashua, N. H.
Ellsworth, Me-, Aug. 2S.-The presi-
dents second day in the Pine Tree
state was full of interest. Starting
from the governors residence at an
early hour, he was taken for short
drive about the city of Augusta and at
$3.50 left for Bangor, where the prin-
cipal speech of the day was delivered
at the fair grounds in the presence
of an immense audience, which listen
ed with marked attention to his ad-
dress. The same close attention was
given him at Waterville, where from
far and near came hundreds to see
and hear the first president who has
visited Maine. in many years. In an
ticipation of his coming a general holt
day was declared and all business was
suspended.
Just before leaving Augusta the
president heard that his old guide,
Bill Sewall of Island Falls, Me-, who
had accompanied him on many hunt
ing expeditions and who had for a
time been employed on his ranch in
Dakota, was at Bangor. He immedi-
ately wired Congressman Powers at
Bangor to "corrall' him and hold on
to him until he reached that city.
That the congressman carried out
these instructions was fully proved
when he produced the tall, raw-boned,
red whiskered hunter, upon the presi-
dents arrival.
81 am glad to see you, Bill" said the
president. whereupon Bill replied,
You amt no gladder than l be-
Then it was that the president told
Of the story of friendship of many
years with the old guide and hunter
and how many years ago while on
hunting trip through Maine, owing to
the shortage in the meat supply, they
had eaten muskrat together, which the
president said was the last meat he
had eaten in Maine before this trip.
The president seemed to delight in the
Rural Simplicity of the Man
and insisted that he should sit down
to dinner with him. Bill therefore
had the distinction that comes to but
few of dining with the chief executive
of the nation and the governor of his
state at the same time.
While at the fair grounds someone
suggested to Sewall. who was seated
on me platform with the president,
that he should go to Washington and
secure an appointment as postmaster,
but Bill had already received this
honor and said to his inquisitor: 81
be postmaster Already"
On the drive through Bangor the
presidents carriage was stopped in
front of the portico of the orphans
home, where the little ones were as
sembled and they greeted him in song.
Before beginning to speak at the
fair grounds the president, noticing
the tanning and pushing OF the crowd
In front of the grand stand. cautioned
the people to be careful of the women
and children and asked them to show
their capacity to manage themselves,
which Immediately had the desired eff
feet. The platform from which the
president spoke was directly in front
of the grand stand, which was packed
with humanity. Behind him was an
other dense crowd He humorously
Informed his audiences that he did not
think he faced both ways, but that on
that occasion he would have to. On
leaving the platform he drove around
the race track in response to cries
from the audience that he do so.
At night the president dined here
at the home of Senator Hale, who &C.
companied the party from Bangor. At
the depot when the train pulled in the |
president was escorted to a platform
near by and delivered short address. |
He left at 10 o'clock for Nashua, N. H.,
and other points in that state. where |
he will speak.