The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-10-14
HIS RECEPTION AN OVATION
Listened to BY Vast Throng of Enthusiastic Audi
tors-Many Cannot Gain Admission
Other Gifted Speakers.

kFrom thursdays Daily.
Xwas Dixon day in Billings yes
Lkerday, and Montana's congressman
owned the city and large portion OF
the section contiguous. From the mo-
ment that he arrived in town he was
besieged by men who were anxious to
greet him and assure him OF their
friendship and support and to express
their appreciation of what he has ac-
complished for eastern Montana and
Billings in particular. But it was last
night that the town turned out and
showed what it can really do for
those whom it admires. The city was
a blaze of light and the streets were
crowded with people, all intent upon
doing honor to their distinguished
guest Men, women and children
lined the walks of the downtown por-
ton to view the parade and by their
presence give evidence of the regard
in which Montana's representative is
held by them
The Parade.
1t was o'clock when the column
began to form in front OF the head
quarters of the Billings Roosevelt and
Fairbanks Republican club, in
Twenty-seventh street. The Billings
band was there and during the forma-
tion played a number OF enlivening
airs. Finally the word to begin the
march was given. Preceded by Dad
Wilkinson, mounted on white horse
and holding aloft the stars and
stripes, over hundred men on horse
back filed south by twos, carrying
torches and roman candles. Then
came the band and carriage in
which rode Mr.. Dixon, Professor w.
e. Harmon, candidate for state super
intendent of public instruction, the
Honorable Harry r. Cunningham, re-
publican nominee for state auditor,
| and the Honorable d. F. Reese, OF
Minnesota, who is on a speaking tour
| of the state as representative of the
republican national committee. Be
| hind them were the marchers, sew
eral hundred in number, all carrying
torches and immense roman candles,
| which filled the air with their sparks
and discharges of colored fire.
Down Twenty-seventh street the
column marched until the intersection
of Minnesota avenue was reached. 1t
turned west to Twenty-ninth street,
thence north to Montana avenue and
east to the opera house, where the
meeting was held. Along the entire
line of march the sides OF the streets
were picketed at intervals of few
feet with sticks of colored fire, while
overhead shone hundreds of colored
incandescent lights suspended from
wires gracefully festooned above the
marching throng.
The sight afforded was one of daz-
zling beauty and one seldom seen
! anywhere. 1t was all for "Joe," for
in the opinion of Billings nothing is
too good for him.
Opera House Is Packed.
AS soon as the doors of the building
| were thrown open a surging, pushing
mass of humanity began to pour in.
Only few minutes were required to
! fill every seat, both upstairs and
downstairs, ana even then many that
clamored for admittance could not De
accommodated. Eager ones crowded
the foyer and in the rear aisles stand
| ing room was not to be had, for they,
too, were crowded by men who re-
| mained throughout the entire length
of the meeting, forgetful OF tired legs
and aching feet. And they were not
all republicans, no, not by any means,
for among them were many demo-
Gratis, those of the hardshell variety,
who pride themselves on their democ-
racy. Some of them even cheered the
name Of Roosevelt. while others
] ioined In the ovation rendered Mr.