The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-03
THE PRESIDENT
At LITTLE ROCK
Seven Busy Hours Spent in and
Around the,City Of Roses.
VISIT TO FORT LOGAN H. ROOT
The People of Arkansas Were Not
OutdOne by Any Others In Their
Demonstrations of
Unique Guard Of Honor.

Unique Guard OF HONOR
Little Rock, Ark, Oct. 26.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt spent seven crowded
hours in and around Little Rock, We'd
nesday, and his journey from Fort Lo-
gan H. Root, on Big Rock, on the
north side of the Arkansas river, to the
city park in Little Rock, was marked
by enthusiastic demonstrations of well
come on the part of the thousands OF
people appearing on the streets for the
occasion
Gov. Jefferson Davis was the first to
greet the president when the latter left
the train at the foot of Big Rock. A
reception committee, which included
United States Senators ]. H. Berry and
James P. Clarke, Mayor w. E. Lemon
and President George w. Rogers OF the
Little Rock board of trade and 20 other
prominent citizens, united with
the governor in welcoming the chief
executive and his party. Carriages
were then taken, and within Is min
utes Fort Logan H. Root, on the sum-
nit of the Big Rock, overlooking the
city of Little Rock, was reached. Here
a salute of 81 guns was fired, and the
president, after inspecting the buildings
and grounds and the garrison, Com
panies E and F, Thirtieth United States
,fonfryr cncnf ha1f on hNJr in tho OFF,
GERS quarters as the guest of Lieut.
Col. A. c. Sharpe, ~commandant, and the
other officers of the post.
An impressive incident followed the
exit from the officers quarters. The
guard of honor, composed OF II union
army veterans, headed by Col. A. S.
Fowler, and II former confederates,
headed by former Gov. Daniel w. Jones
had met the presidential party and ac-
companied it to the army post.
They rode in pairs, each former con-
federate by the side Of a federal army
veteran. AS the president was being
escorted to his carriage for the journey
from FIT. Logan H. Root to the city, he
left those accompanying him and
walked to where the guard of honor
stood. Each of the soldiers was given
a handclasp and a verbal greeting by
the president, who had remarked on ap-
preaching the group, Gentlemen, IL
does me good to see the blue INT the
gray riding together He called each
veteran "comrade."
AS the presidential party reached the
river bridge, the footing of mill whis-
ties was the signal for cheering on the
Little Rock side. The city's principal
thoroughfare, Main street, was pictur-
esque with its decorations of flags and
bunting, and the great outpouring OF
people was evidence that the c%loudiness
and cool weather could not interfere
with the warm popular welcome. From
all parts of Arkansas people had come
to greet the president. AS the party
entered the city park under an arch
bearing the inscription, Little Rock
Creets You," IL white doves were lib
Grated from the apex of the arch, dl-
rectly over the presidents carriage.
This feature caused cheering, and the
president smiled his approval.
The exercises at the city park OPP
Grated promptly at 1870 a. n. GOV.
Davis delivered an address OF welcome,
in which he drew a word picture OF the
of Arkansas, touched lightly
upon the race question, and assured the
president the people Of Arkansas were
glad he had come among them. The
governors tribute to southern women
was applauded by the president. When
reference was made by Gov. Davis to
the famous rebel YELL" the proceed-
ings were interrupted by a manifest
desire on the part of many in the
crowd to give a semblance of this yell.
United States District Judge JACOB
Trieber followed in an address OF well
come on behalf of the city of Little
Rock. He declared that the people OF
this state. regardless of political opin-
ions were proud to honor President
Roosevelt.
The presidents opening words, Eel
low Americans" produced a renewal OF
the demonstration of welcome occur
ring as ne was presented. His utter
ances were followed closely by the large
audience, and at intervals he had to
desist while his hearers gave vent to
their appreciation of his remarks. The
presidents declaration that IF a presi-
dent is worth his salt, he is the presi-
dent of the whole country was given
so earnestly that it drew forth plaudits
from the assembled thousands.
The exercises in the city park were
brought to a close at 1890 p. M, and
the presidential party was then escort
ed through streets densely packed with
cheering men, women and children to
the Albert Pike consistory, where
luncheon was given.