The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-24
BUSINESS HOUSES
CLOSE DURING DAY
A Reception Committee Of 500
Meet Roosevelt at Station and
Place Enormous Stuffed
Bear in His Unique Con-
veyance-Tribute OF
Judge scmmes.

NV Associated Press.)

MOBILE, ALA, october 23.-All Mo-
bile tonight lent Itself to the reception
OF President Theodore Roosevelt There
WAS general closing Of all business houses
and along tho route OF tho procession
from the Union Station to the stand on
Benville Square, where the reception
ceremonies took place, residences and
stores we're covered with decorations OF
lights and bunting Iii the colors.
s Tho route lay o1t Government street.
one Of the most noted drives in the South,
for ten blocks, passing the homes OF
some Of Mobiles most influential citi-
zens, her chief educational institution
and one of her historic churches. The
sidewalks and streets long Government
street were packed with humanity, and ut
McGlll Institute, Barton Academy, and
one Or two other points, hundreds OF,
school children were massed, singing ma
tlonal songs as the procession passed.
Cheer after cheer welcomed the nations 9
chief ~
Didn't Forget the Bear.
Il The procession was headed by platoon
OF police, followed by Colonel r. 3. Du-
mont Of the First Regiment. Alabama
National Guard and his stafr with the
Mobile Battalion following. Two COM
panics OF artillery from Fort Morgan fol-
E lowed the National Guard, and then came
the cadets OF the University Military
School. Behind the boys came battle-
SCARED Confederate veterans as guest
OF honor to the President, in whose car
rage were seated Judge Jules Afford,
chairman OF the Committee of Arrange
ments: Mayor p. j. Lyons and Colonel
Edward Lafayette Russell. Following
came the members OF 4the Presidents
party and members Of the Arrangements
and the Reception Committees and mcnl-
bers of the press In carrla ges.
stand was erected in BienVife
Square, which, when the President ar
Z rived. s was filled with 1000 citizens. The
area was brilliant t. with electric lights.
while live oaks formed a canopy OF green.
The President reached the station at
Is O'clock where he was received by
Reception Committee of five hundred
citizens. His scat was on All elevated
dais in a chair which was built by the
students OF technical school In Japan.
Back OF the chair was an enormous
stuffed bear, eight feet tall. bearing In
Its mouth floral independence bell and
above It's head white dove holding a
streamer. on which was the Inscription,
y"Blessed is the peacemaker." The bear
was killed In hunting expedition BY
His Majesty. Alexander H.. OF Russia.
In 1867. according to an inscription on
f r bronze plate on the mounting, and was
presented by Czar Alexader to the Duke
OF Osuma. comte linfanto. Duke de Bue-
nevito and l'arcos, Prince D DEbodie;"
The house OF Ehodie became extinct In
the eighties and ghe effects In the palace
of the prince were disposed OF by public
sale. The bear was purchased by Han
mas Taylor then minister of the United
States at Madrid.
Judge Sernmes's Tribute.
oliver j. semmes, son OF the. Confed-
crate admiral, Raphael Semmes, then
presented to the President and pinned
on the lapel OF his coat a handsome SOU
5ycnir badge as the gift Of the peonle
OF Mobile. In delivering the badge,
JUDGE Sen,mes said.
.'Mr. President: i ask your attention
for a moment have been delegated by 4
the peonle OF Mobile to nresent TO You
this token, n symbol OF their fealty ms /
citizens of the United States. Though
itself OF little intrinsic value, yet in
sentiment 1t represents the LOYALTY,
the worth and the honor OF as brave.
6chivalric and noble reonle as Is to ne
found on he face of Gods green earth
We rro,,d citizens of n proud republic.
Gfcer and believe that YOU as the head
of the renuhic VIII by your broad views 4
and ind'cio,,s actions 50 unite tnshonds OF
(Contlnuci on Fifth Page.)