The Red Cloud chief., 1902-07-11
Delivers First Blow on Rivett in
Nebraska's Keel.
CEREMONIES IN HONOR OF BATTltSHIp
of Keel Laying G%oyernors savage
and Mcbride Deliver Addresses
Other News Notes,

says: The battleship Nebraska is no
longer a thing OF drawings. but has
substantially Of its own. Notwith-
standing rival attractions of other pa
rades and daylight fireworks. all vie
ing with the exciting chase of the es-
Gaping desperate Tracey. $1,000 per-
sons witnessed the riveting of the first
section of the keel today ushering in
the advent of the Nebraska at @ o'clock
this morning. A salute was fred from
cannon planted for the purpose on the
wharves of the %shipyard. Shortly af-
ter 10 O'Clock the escorts formed at
the hotel occupied by the distinguished
NCbraskans.
lnclement as was the weather. the
trip to the s%hipyards formed this
morning a spectacle. a big detach-
rent OF marines swung sturdily down
the street as the advance guard for
the carriages. Drilling rain prevent
ed the formation of "A very large crowd
on the driveway leading to the NAM
mouth structure where the battleship
Is to be built. Inside. however. were
fully 1000 spectators.
The preliminary addresses OF intro
duction were brief. Judge Burke. rep
%fosenting the Seattle chamber of com
merce, introduced Governor Mcbride.
hfter greeting the guests. extending
To them the already evident hospitality
OF the state. he referred to the growth
oil Washington. and said:
Nebraska. as you have doubtless
earned. since your arrival here and
'he greetings given YOU by the large
number OF men from your state. has
contributed to the upbuilding of Wash
lnSton most materially. We are UNI
der obligations for so many good citi-
Iens. We now find ourselves under
double obligations for this official visit
which ! am sure will tend TO bind even
more closely the bonds OF friendship
between us"
Governor Savage in response touched
largely upon national affairs connect
ed with arbitration and the advisable
~ or continuing as large a navy as
necessary for emergency protection.
lie said.
III his vessel shall render unto our
government as valuable and efficient
service as that rendered by the citi-
zens OF the state whose honored name
1t is to bear. then the day will never
come when its constr uction and naval
commission will give occasion for re-
greet on the part OF any one.
you "ouiu hhoW ulOTt vi Ine
loyalty. alo and patriotism of the
citizens OF Nebraska. examine the mus
ter roll, examine our military history.
and look at the graves OF the known
and unknown in our national
teries.
Loo anywhere where there is a
record OF patriotic sacrifices aud mill
tary achievements and you will on
clude. ] am sure. that so far as up
holding the strong arm Of the republic
is concerned, Nebraska has lone her
share.
NO state has done more to main
tain the honor Of the flag. no state has
done more to stimulate public morals.
no state has contributed more gener-
ously to manhood and craftsmanship
or welfare of the American people, and
no state Is more willing to perform
whatever task the government may
assign II in the future than dear old
Nebraska-a always true. always loyal,
always patriotic"
At the conclusion of Governor Saw
ages speech came an interesting in
cident. The seve~n-year-old son OF
Robert Moran. president of the ship
building company, stepped forward
and presented a small piece of steel.
'N'hc ~ bi'N bt a BhIN v ltolu
the keel plates. The governor made
the small donor a short speech Of
thanks. At a signal the men running
the huge electric cranes sent them fly
ing from the west end OF the battle
ship to where an enormous piece of
steel four feet square and seventy feet
long was lying. Quickly the tentacles
dropped down and seized 1t: as quick
ly il swung high into the air and was
carried over the heads OF the specta-
tors to its position over the ways. II
dropped into place as gently as though
II we're a fragile piece OF glass rather
h enc OF the sustaining pieces Of
a floating fortress. Two workmen clad
In immaculate garments of white
placed In position the white hot rivet.
The governors OF two states doffed
their coats, rolled up their sleeves,
STRUCK alternate blows with their ham
piers. thus fastening the first section OF
the keel. AS the first blow was struck
TIE marine band swung forth in tre-
mendous boom. and strains of Amer
lea" for an instant only were heard.
Then enthusiasm reached fever heat
and the big shed became q seething,
flags waved, hats were thrown in the
air. Pandemonium reigned. So great
was the noise that the cannon salute
On the outside was unnoticed. IN
noticed also were the screaming whis-
tics which at the signal showed that
every craft In the harbor was alive to
the occasion. Surprise was sprung on
the two governors when they were
DOMINIC their coats by Robert Moran.
To each he gave a check for 3 cents,
being the amour due them for wages.
They signed the pay rolls as workmen.
Mnch eYnifemenf WAS caused M