Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1902-04-23
FAREWELL TO GEN. PALMA
Ovation at Central Valley Prior to His
Departure For Cuba.
OLD NE.GHBORS MOVED TO TEARS
The Entire Town Turned O.it to Do Honor
to the Veteran Pntrios-His Affecting
Leave-TakinE-Cuba's First President
Predicts the Estnblishnent OF Cordial
Relations with the United Stutes.

Predicts the establishments OF Cordial
Relations with the United states.
New York City.-General T. Estrada
Palma. President-olect of the Cuban
Republic. came to this city from his
home i'll Central Valley He left by
rail for Norfolk. Va. where he sailed
for Cuba on the steamship Admiral
Farragut to assume the duties of the
first Executive OF the new Cuban Re
public.
President Palma has not been IN
C0oa for twenty-eight years. and lis
wife, who is native Of Honduras.
Central America. and his six children
have never yet set foot on Cuban soil.
He will assume the duties of his Office
on May 20.
1t is in Central Valley that General
Palma has made his home for the pas
eighteen years. and there five of his six
children were born, in Il rambling old
white house. set in Il grove of vener-
able willows. half way up the side of
hill on the outskirts OF the village.
He has been so long resident of the
place, and TO such an extent has he
and friends. that practically every one
in the village turned out to participate
i'll the warm hearted demonstration of
farewell and wish Estrada" ms they
call him there, God speed in his new
labors
At an early hour the little place was
astir procession formed, i'll which
every one took part, and marched to
General Palma's house. The village
band headed it. followed by all the
school children, carrying Cuban and
American flags. the main body of the
citizens and the Fire Department, with
their apparatus. In front of the Gen
erals house the band played the Bay
amo hymn. the anthem of General Pal
mas native province. and then they es-
corted him TO the village square. All
the houses along the line of march dis
played Cuban flags.
There the little formal demonstration
OF parting took place, and many OF his
old neighborS We're moved to tears
Every person in the village passed and
shook hands with General Palma. Irv-
ing Washburn, who was spokesman
for the villagers, said:
AS YOU take up your new task for
Cuba. we ask for her and for you the
blessing and the protection of Him
of nations.
"Our, hearts, our hopes, are all with
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our
tears
Our faith triumphant DER our fears,
Are all with thee
I'VE are come to attend YOU with the
strains of martial music and the way
ing OF hags-your flag and ours. God
~ MI
General Palma was much affected
by the deep sincerity of the words of
his old friend. With falterinG voice
he replied:
"Neighbors and friends: In this mo-
ment my position is very peculiar
one. l have lived here eighteen years.
and considered myself NOT Il neighbor
or friend. but brother to every one
of you. | do not know how to express
my feeling of gratitude to YOU. | am
obliged to 60 to my native country to
discharge the duties I am called to as
sumo. You may he assured that rs |
go leave portion OF my soul in Cen.
trail Valley.
81 hope this feeling and kindred SEN
timent Will be of kind to link TO-
gethcr my country and the Unitod
states. l pray that the Almighty NAV
shower all His blessings and bounty
upon this valley"
Before leaving Central Valley Cen
erhl Palma gave what he called n val
edlctory review. He said:
am going to my native country.
winch am delighted TO see again af
ter so many years. Moreover. / return
10 Tree country, q State in which the
people are to enjoy the blessings of
self government. The American neo.
pie Know that | am heartily grateful
TOT their hospitality. and for the hearty
sympathy shown for tine Cuban causc
ana the help for the independence OF
inc island. | am sure that the DeoDla
Oh Cuba VIII show by the high charoc-
ter ana tone of the government they
VIII establish and maintain that they
are worthy or the sympathy and helm
they nave received from the American
people am certain also that | do nor
hoed 10 make any efforts to establish
most cordial and successful relations
on friendship between my people and
the people of the United States. Tho
leelng among the Cubans is already
spontaneous and does not need to he
aroused. Cuba feels the warmcst
friendship for this country.
For Cuba'S future I have the great.
est OF hopes. Her future. believe
VIII he very bright. The people are
naturally orderly and peaceful They
are also an industrious people. and
anxious TO prove that they are worthy
10 rule themselves. | think that thcv
VIII demonstrate that fact TO the sof:s.
faction of all who are interested in
their welfare"