The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-11

FOR THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH
CAROLINA.
ROOSEVELT AT CHARLESTON

rze Entfre City Turns Out to Give n
Hearty weIcome-The President
Delighted with His Reception-He
GreztIy Enjoys the Day-A Sail
Aroznd the Harbor on the AIgOn-
auin-Fort Sumter Visited - The
Banquet Last Night-The Presf-
deHt's Speech-A Reception to Mrs.
RsoEeveIt.
charleston. S. c., April 8.-The hope
sf President Roosevelt that he mighi
see sunshine in the morning was fully
realized. The downpour of rain which
had marked the trip almost from tn
moment of departure had ceased; the
heavy black clouds disappeared and tn"
day broke with a cloudIess sky. The
Journey to Charleston was made entire
y without accident To guard against
any possibility of this nature the
Seuthern railway officials sent pilot
engine ahead of the presidents special
livery detail OF the trip was carrie
sut under the direction of Colonel L. 8
Brown. general agent, who accompanied
The president and Mrs Rooseve;i
were early risers and welcomed the
Sunshine as it made it possible to carry
cut the programme which had been ar
ranged for the entertainment of the
visitors.
The president retired last night before
the state line OF North Carolina was
YeAehed.
At Summerville twenty-five miles
from Charleston, the party was met
~ a special committee. headed by May
or Smith. Captain F. w. Wagner, presi :
dent of the exposition and ]. ]. Hemp
hill. who accompanied the president on
the remainder of the journey.
Ali Charleston was up and out this
morning to do honor to the president
and from the time of arrival within thu
corporate limits of the city TO boarding
the steamer it was a continuous oVa
Eon.
The presidents train reached Charles
ten at $3.50 o'clock a. m, on time The
party did not come into the city, but
left the train five miles out where troll
ley cars were awaiting to convey them
to the naval station to take the reve-
aue cutter for tour of the harbor.
directly to the naval station where they
were Joined in few moments by mem
bers of the reception committee and
invited guests from the city. a guard
OF thirty militiamen was stationed
about the approaches to the train
and stood at present-arms as the
president landed. At the naval station
ffty men of the militia were posted,
maintaining picket lines about the res
ervation. and none was allowed within
the lines except such as had special
passes.
The president and his party were
shown about the station and were then
conducted to the pier where the reVe-
nue. cutter Algonquin was IN waiting.
As the president set foot on the deck,
the nag of the commander-in-chief of
the army and navy was raised. and the
jackies were paraded while salute OF
twenty-one guns was fired. In the
stream the cutters Forward and Hamil-
ton were lying. and further down to-
ward the city were the cruiser Cincin-
natl and the training ships Topeka
and Lancaster.
After the committee and guests had
gone aboard. the Algonquin started D
q tour of the harbor. Passing dowr
Cooper river a fine view Of the city an
Che opening of the bay was presented.
The weather was perfect. There wa:
breeze blew from the ocean with JUS
O bracing touch in il. not chilly enough
to require overcoats-
Passing into the bay. the Algonquin
came abreast of the cruiser Cincinnati
whose decks were manned with he
crew. as well as the Topeka and tn
Lancaster AS the presidents vesse
passed each shin. . salute OF twenty
enc guns " fired on the fortitic"
lions of Sullivan's island the Algonquin
uas greeted with the same welcom
and she passed out to the ocean witt
Say streamers amid a chorus OF guns
Just a little run to the sea and tn
ALGONQUIN turned about and re-entere
ff,e harbor. passing around histori
Fort Sumter While steaming up tn
bay luncheon was served on the revc
nue cutter. A short run was made u
the Ashley river, giving a view or ~
eity's western waterfront and then IN
ship was headed back for the landln
where a troop of the Charleston Ligh
Dragons was in waiting to escort n
preeident to his headquarters at tn
ct. John hotel
All the arrangements were excelleu
and there was not break IN the pro
ramme- The president seemed In mig
spirits and entered with keen zest int
Al the features Of the occasion
Visits Fort Sumter.
The president accompanied by fe'
n his party and members OF the receI
don committee. boarded small steam
ar which came alongside the reVenu
sutter and were taken over to For
oumter. A company OF artillery va
standi at attention when the pres
aent landed and Immediately wer
through a gun drill with the immens
f1-inch disappearing guns. A tour wa
tnen made through the fort a sma
hurricane was blowing at the time an
although the president was wearing
soft kat 1t was caught and went soa'
fng into the air. the president maxim
vain effort to catch IL. Private F'reS
erick Dent. of the artillery corps can
to the rescue and quickly recovered
Dresident Roosevelt grasped him I
1he hand and thanked him most cordta
He also complimented the men Q
heir expert handling of the guns.
Upsn arriving at the wharf the pres
aeat. escorted by troop OF cavair