Gilpin observer., 1903-04-30
WELCOME PRESIDENT
OMAHA HOST TO NATIONS CHIEF
EXECUTIVE.
coneratulatcs People Of Nebraska on
Their Material Well Being and Gives
Utterance to Patriotic Phrases Dc-
fore Demonstr ative Audience.


Omaha, April 2S.--Ten Thousand
people were gathered at the Coliseum
last night to hear President Roosevelt.
The day had been trying one for the
entire party. the wind blowing the en-
tire day. and at Lincoln smart rain
storm greeted the president on his ar
rival. The dust and sand which blew
across the prairies added another un-
pleasant feature to the journey. which
was one of a circuitous route. After
leaving Grand Island, the first stop
was at Hastings. Fairmount and
Crete received short stops and the
train arrived at Lincoln at / 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 half
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" floated 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 tr;-colors. was
placed over the carriage way through
which the presidents party passed.
AT the entrance to the train shed was
hang 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 10 Most imposing.
The military escort was large one.
headed by platoon OF police. II was
composed of the Thurston Rifles. Oma-
ha Guards, Millard 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 a most
hearty welcome. From his carriage
he nodded his approval. The drive
ended at the Omaha club, where 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-SarBen and distin-
guished citizens OF the city. General
Manderson presided and introduced
the president.
The visit of President Roosevelt had
been long anticipated by the people OF
Omaha, who were disappointed last
fall when his western trip was cut
short at Indianapolis. Much prepara-
tion had been made for his visit at
this time, and the people. turned out
in great numbers to welcome him
His train left at o'clock this morning
for 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
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 il
was crowded to its capacity. The
building was elaborately decorated in
national and Ak-Sar-Ben colors. When
the president and his party entered
band struck up Hail to the Chief"
and the president received an ovation.
His address was as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, and you. my fellow
citizens: 1t is a great pleasure to
come before you this evening, Since
Saturday | have been travelling
through your great and beautiful state.
! know your people; have been with
them; | have worked with them: and
It is indeed a Joy to come here now
and see from one end of your state to
the other the signs of your abounding
prosperity. (Applause.) And l feel
that the future of Nebraska is secure.
There will temporary ups and downs.
and. of course, II any of you are guilty
of folly. from your own folly nothing
can save you but yourself. But If you
act as | believe, and trust that you
Will act, this state has future before
1t second to that of no other state in
this great nation. (Applause.)
| address you tonight on the amt
versary of the birth OF the great silent
soldier-Ulysses Grant-and am
glad to have the chance of saying
few words to an audience as this In
this great typical city of the west on
the occasion of the birthday OF
the greatern western general.
the great American general. It
is good thing to pay homage with
our lips to the illustrious dead. II is
good thing to keep In mind what we
owe 10 the memories of Washington
nn1 hln fnlln,nnr, ,uhc. fo..n.lnI Az.