Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-04-30
PRESIDENT IN OMAHA
Mr.. Roosevelt Given an Enthusi-
ast.c Welcome Yesterday.
An ADDRESS MADE At The COLISEUM
The President Driven Through the City and
Then Banqueted-Leftn mt Five O'Clock
This Morning for Trip
Through Iowa.

Omaha, Neb., April 2s.-Ten thou.
sand people were gathered at the Col
iseum to hear President Roosevelt
The day had been q trying one for
the entire party, the wind blowing
the entire day, and at Lincoln Q
smart rainstorm greeted the presi.
dent on his arrival The dust and
sand which blew across the prairies
added another unpleasant feature to
the journey, which was of circuit
GUS route. After leaving Grand Is
land the first stop was at Hastings.
Fairmont and Crete received short
stops and the train arrived at Lin
coin at one o'clock. After brief
stops at Wahoo and Fremont, the
Journey was not again interrupted
until Omaha was reached at 5:15.
Much preparation had been made In
this city for the presidents coming
and he was greeted by probably 3d.
900 people, who lined the streets on
both sides for mile and a half along
the route of the carriage drive.
Elaborate decorations of bunting and
flags were hung from every build
ing and from every flagstaff In the
city "Old Glory" foated proudly. At
the Union station the great west
arch was festooned with bunting,
which surrounded an immense paint
ing Of the president. Another paint
ing, framed in the national tri-colors
was placed over the carriageway
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 the Knights OF
Ak-Sar- Ben, together with Senators
Willard and Dietrich, Gov. Mickey,
Congressman Hitchcock, ex-Congress-
man Mercer, Mayor Moores and Gen.
Henderson. The military escort was
a large one, headed by platoon OF
police. 1t was composed OF the
Thurston rifles, Omaha guards, Mil.
lard rifles, South Omaha troop OF
cavalry and six companies OF the
High School cadets. The drive
through the city lasted half an hour,
several of the downtown business
streets being traversed. The entire
distance was lined with thousands OF
people who gave the president
most hearty welcome. From his car
rage he nodded his approval. The
drive ended at the Omaha club, where
a banquet lasting an hour and half
was given the president and his
party. Covers were laid for 90 per-
sons, among whom were prominent
members Of the Ak-Sar-Ben and dis
tinguished citizens Of the city. Gen.
Henderson presided and introduced
the president.
After the banquet at the club the
president and his party were es'
corted to the Coliseum, which IL two
miles from the business portion OF
the city. Although the start was not
made until eight o'clock, thousands
again turned out to cheer the presi-
dent and catch glimpse Of his face.
When he reached the big auditorium
It was crowded to its canacitz. The
building Was deliberately decorated
in national and Ak-Sar-Ben colors.
When the president and his party en-
tered, band struck up "Hail to the
Chief" and he was accorded q ire
mendous ovation. The presidents
train left at five o'clock this morning
for trip through Iowa.