The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-11-18
Magnificent Public Reception Is
rendered Governor Elect.
People There From Everywhere
Big Parade Feature.
New Executive Delivers Speech
--Banquetto NotabIes.
From Tuesdays Daily.

From Tuesdays Daily.
"Hipl Hurray! for Johnny A., Johnny
A., Johnny A.; Hip. Hurray! for John
ny A., Johnny, Johnny A." Sing this
rhythmic combination to the tune of
MARY Had Little Lamb" and picture
train of six coaches, perfectly packed,
seats, aisles and platforms, moving
from St. Peter to Mankato; mentally
mingle the above ditty with confused
din of horns, made for the occasion,
shouts, yells, laughter and loud talk,
and you, gentle reader, who were too
timid to go down to join in the big John
son jubilee, will have pretty fair idea
of the Mankato crowd, as it came home
about midnight.
The total number of tickets sold for
the special excursion train at Mankato
was 4SS. Nearly all of these were pur-
chased by Mankato people, though the
number included merry contigent of
sixteen, led by Editor Hotaling, from
Mapleton. On the way down the train
was not so crowded as it was coming
back, because on the return trip, it
brought also those who had gone down
on the earlier trains. Tired girls, stand
ing in the aisles, We're so squeezed and
jostled that many of them were glad to
find rest by sitting in the laps of their
young men escorts.
The train left for st. Peter about half
past seven, well filled, but not to the
point of being uncomfortable. Every
body was in high spirits and it may
safely be said that noiser outfit never
rolled along the rails of the Omaha OF
any other railroad. Eight young ladies,
determined to make the very best of the
occasion, proceeded to have a good time
after the college method. Ranging them
selves in one line, each girl putting her
hands on the shoulders of the one in
front of her, they rushed through the
aisle of car after car the entire length
of the train and back, brushing aside all
who stood in their way, and stopping for
nobody. The man with the inverted
hat, who was collecting for the Concordia
band, had to be careful to avoid col
lision with this team. for they cared not
whom or what they upset. When this
man was seen with his improvised con-
tribution plate, soliciting from republi-
cans and democrats alike, toe help pay
the expenses of the celebration of a
democratic triumph, it reminded one of
Mr.. Johnson's own plea for republican
support at the polls. After all, when
the democrats want something done,
they know they need republican strength
behind it. Quite a number on the train
had torches with which to help the
Concordia gain little glory for Man
kato.
At length the six carloads of celebrat-
ors alighted from the train at the Oma
ha depot at st. Peter and moved down
the much trodden way to and across
the river bridge. This was by no means
the only contingent that came on spe-
cial to st. Peter that evening. The Globe
train from st. Paul had brought about
three hundred and fifty more and The
Journal special from Minneapolis about
four hundred more. The latter quota
included The Journal Newsboys' band
clad in their accustomed red uniforms
New Ulm was by no means backward
for she sent down delegation of about
five hundred, accompanied by the Sec
ond Regiment band. Music there GER
tainly was in abundance, for, besides
the above mentioned bands, there was
another from Kasota and still another
representing Gustavus Adolphus college
Long before reaching the center of fes-
Invites, everybody could tell by the
ruddy glare just where that center was
Minnesota avenue looked as gorgeous as
human effort could make it, with its
arches of electric incandescents and the
endless flags and bunting that appeared
on every side. This and adjacent streets
wide and roomy enough to accommodate
the thousands who were there, were a
scene of such activity, that the st. Pet.
critics must have believed that all the
sprightly spirits in the North Star com
monwealth were gathered in their town
Conservative estimates place the total
number of visitors at seven thousand
Some think it much higher.
Peace and order reigned however. The
people were feeling good. They wanted