Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-04-30
WELCOME PRESIDENT
OMAHA HOST TO NATIONS CHIEF
EXECUTIVE.
congratulates People of Nebraska on
Their Material Well Being and Gives
Utterance to Patriotic Phrases Be-
fore Demenstratve Audience.

Omaha. April 2S.-Ten thousand
people were gathered at the Coliseum
last night to hear President Roosevelt.
The day had been trying one Tor the
entire party the wind blowing the en-
tire day and at Lincoln smart ram
storm greeted the president on his ar
rival. The dust and sand which blew
across the prairies added another I'M
pleasant feature to the journey, which
was one OF a circuitous route. After
leaving Grand Island, the hrst stop
was at Hastings. Paramount and
Crete received short stops and the
train arrived at Lincoln at l O'Clock,
After brief stops at Wahoo and Ere
mont. the journey was not interrupted
until Omaha was reached at 5:l5.
Much preparation had been made
in this city for the presidents COM
ing and he was greeted by probably
$4,000 people who lined the streets
on both sides for mile and nall
along the route OF the carriage drive.
Elaborate decorations OF bunting and
flags were hung from every building
and from every Flagstaff in the city
"Old Glory" foated proudly At the
Union station the great west arch was
festooned with bunting, which sur
rounded an immense painting OF
the president Another painting,
framed in the national tri-colors, was
placed over the carriage way through
which the presidents party passed.
At the entrance to the train shed was
hung banner of welcome.
The reception committee which met
the president was composed of the
board of governors OF knights of Ak
Sar-Ben, together with Senators Mil
lard and Dietrich, Governor Mickey,
Congressman Hitchcock, eX-Congress-
man Mercer, Mayor Moores and Gen
eral Henderson.
Military Escort is Most Imposing.
The military escort was a large one,
headed by platoon OF police. 1t was
composed of the Thurston Rifles, Oma-
ha Guards. Willard Rifles South Oma-
ha troop of cavalry and six companies
of the High School cadets. The drive
through the city lasted half an hour,
several of the down town business
streets being traversed. The entire
distance was lined with thousands of
people who gave the president most
hearty welcome. From his carriage
he nodded his approval. The drive
ended at the Omaha club, where a ban
quet, lasting an hour and half, was
given the president and his party.
Covers were laid for ninety persons,
among whom were prominent mem
bers of the Ak-Sar-Ben and distln-
guished citizens of the city General
Henderson presided and introduced
the president.
The visit of President Roosevelt had
been long anticipated by the people of
Omaha, who were disappointed last
short at indianapolis. Much prepare
ton had been made for his visit at
this time, and the people turned out
In great numbers to welcome him.
His train left at 5 o'clock this morning
for a trip through Iowa.
After the banquet at the club the
president and his party were escorted
to the Coliseum, which is two miles
from the business portion of the city.
Although the start was not made until
8 o'clock. thousands again turned out
to cheer the president, and catch a
glimpse Of his face. When the presi-
dent reached the big auditorium it
was crowded to its capacity. The
building was deliberately decorated in
national and Ak-Sar-Ben colors. When
the president and his party entered a
band struck up Hail to the Chief"
and the president received an ovation.
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