The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-09-06
WELCOME TO BRYAN
DEMOCRATIC LEADER RECEIVED
ENTHUSIASTICALLY.
Greeted with Noise and COrdiality
On Return from His 'Round-the-
World Tour-New York Bay Re-

New York correspondence
William ]. Bryan is home again
Bronzed by travel by land and sea,
cheerful, and apparently physically fit
for a campaign two years long, he lit
orally fell into the arms of huzzahing
hundreds of his fellow countrymen
when the steamship PRINCESS Irene en-.
tered the harbor of New York Wednes
day afternoon. A band on one of the
welcoming tugs played Hands Across
the Sea-" whistles and sirens screeched
and humans shouted. All this was pre-
paratory to the big demonstration to
take place at Madison Square Garden
Thursday night, when thousands of
Democrats from all over the country
gathered to pay their homage to the
great commoner.
Clashes between rival welcoming
committees, composed respectively OF
the New York plan and scope" organ
ization and the Nebraska "home folks"
each OF which was determined to take
possession Of the returning leader,
were happily averted by the action Of
Mr.. Bryan himself when the PRINCESS
Irene reached quarantine Instead of
choosing between the yacht Of his
friend, Mr.. Goltra Of St Louis, with
the local committee on board, and the
government tug bearing the people of
his own State, Mr.. Bryan elected to
spend the night on land.
The scene down the bay as the Prin-
Zess Irene came to anchor in quaran-
tine established precedent as cele-
bration OF the homecoming of plain
American citizen. The news that the
steamer bearing Mr.. Bryan had been
sighted of Fire Island just before
noon. and that she would be at anchor
for the formal medical inspection by
3 O'clock. was the signal for a wild
rush of specially chartered boats and
pleasure craft down the harbor. The
lowering skies and frequent rain
squalls served to keep many away, but
those who were not deferred by the
adverse weather conditions gave an
enthusiastic spirit to the reception.
The "home folks" were the most en-
thusiastic OF all. On two big tugboats
which journeyed down the bay side by
side they went to welcome their dis
tlngushed neighbor.
There was a broad smile on Mr..
Bryan's face as he spied the foremost
of the Nebraska tugs, and n broader
one when he saw his old friend, Mayor
Jim Dahlman of Omaha, standing on
the "niggerhead" Of the tug rope In
hand, ready to hurl 1t about the head
Of Mr.. Bryan II he refused to come
peacefully aboard the craft.
Mayor Dahlman, who was for years
sheriff in Dawes County, Nebraska,
when sheriffs wore two revolvers and
carried a cutlass and "billy," but
who had himself elected mayor OF
Omaha on an "open town" platform,
headed the delegation, but with him
were many prominent men in Nebraska
business and professional circles and
others known throughout the State for
their oratory and political records.
On spying Mayor Dahlman Me-.
Bryan laughed heartily, shook his head
at the coil Of rope which the cowboy"
mayor held in his hand, and said: II
guess you're going to get me, jim"
You're rigl> we are, Will. We've
come long way and we won't leave
without you.'
You won't have to-" replied Mr..
Bryan.
With tumultuous cheers the Ne
braskans pulled up alongside the after
gangway Of the big steamer and called
their greetings to Mr.. Bryan, who
stood on the deck just above them and
smiled and waved his hat. Big boxes
of flowers were tossed on board for
Mrs. Bryan. Then the Nebraska State
flag was flung to the breeze and the
cheering was renewed.
Usually Indifferent to all situations,
Mr.. Bryan displayed much emotion
when the two tugs, bearing friends
and neighbors who had Travelled more
than 1900 miles to greet him, ranged
alongside the Princess Irene, with flags
singing old-home melodies, and he spent
q half hour among them. shaking hands
and asking In an earnest manner about
their wives and children, about 'tta
folks across the street" and the po-
lltical situations in the various sections
OF the State. Mr.. Bryan talked to his
friends freely about his trip whili he
said. had been one continnus gsaud OF
enjoyment and instruction. Songs
We're sung and the cheering was
taken UP, time and again. while Mr..
Bryan was going through the neoes-
safy formalties of the customs inspire,
tiOn laws