The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-19
MITCHELL AT HOME.
How He Was Greeted by His Fellow
Citizens.

Spring Valley, Ill, Dec. 1S.-John
Mitchell came home recently. For the
first time since he won the greatest IN
dustrial battle that the world has even
seen he looked into the eyes of his fell
low citizens and took them by the hand.
When he had last seen them he was
labor leader of some prominence. He
returned a prominent leader of his peO-
pie, a man who had fought bravely for
their cause.
+ Not alone the miners who had worked
with him, nor the members of the
miners union, nor close associates, but
men from every walk of life, from every
place in society turned out to welcome
him. There were doctors and lawyers,
ministers, merchants and miners, all
cheering the still young man with the
pale face, calling him Jack" and
eagerly grasping his hand. They stood
about on the streets, watching with
good humored hilarity the gradual fad
ing of the decorations beneath the pitt
less rain.
Meanwhile, eager as a boy, Mitchell
was speeding toward them At every
station crowds had gathered to cheer
him, and he was kept busy shaking
hands with the people who pressed to-
ward him on the car.
SWARMED ON THE PLATFORM.
The train arrived at Spring Valley 20
minutes late. An immense throng, care
less of the rain. Swarmed about the
platform cheering like mad. Many of
the crowd that stood there were boys,
little children, but they shouted as loud
ly as the rest.
They are breaker boys said Mitch
ell when he heard their piping voices.
His appearance was the signal for a
mighty shout With one accord the
crowd made a rush for him. Everybody
wanted to call him Jack" everybody
wanted to shake his hand.
Mrs. Mitchell naaged to get through
them and for a moment while her hus-
hand held her in his thew stood
back only to commence again with re-
doubled fervor. The reception commit
tee had a stout five minutes work get
ting him to his carriage Then the
march commenced. Headed by brass
band and with no guard of honor but
the patient toilers whom he had strug
gled to serve, John Mitchell went up the
main street of the town in which be
lived. On every side gay bunting greet
ed him. He was driven under the arches
erected to welcome him home, but far
more impressive than these were the
ever growing throng that followed his
carriage and lined the streets through
which he came
So they drove him up the long street
to the little home he calls his own,
where live his wife and little ones. and
there they left him to the welcome that
was nearest to his heart
1t had been intended to hold an open
air meeting in the afternoon, al which
President Mitchell would be formally
welcomed nome. Inc weather MADE THIS
impossible, and the opera house was
chosen instead An immense crowd
fought and struggled to gain an en-
trance to the Auditorium. which was
far too small to hold them all
For a time the shouts of the crowd
etirely drowned the voice of William
Hawthorne who acted as chairman
Jumping to her feet. Mother Jones
came down to the platform. The crowd
roared a welcome for her, then for
moment was hushed-
I thought it was woman only who
could not listen" said Mother Jones.
after which she returned to her seat
amid a profound hush. and the meeting
was allowed to proceed
C. N Hollerich. city attorney of
Springfield: Thomas Royle. of La Sale;
w D. Ryan. secretary of the Illinois
Mine Workers union, and Rev r W.
Purdue, each delivered speech Of well