The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-06
Home Folks Give Him a Neigh
bOrIy Reception
ALL PARTY LINES ARE BROKEN
1t Was Half Holiday In Lincoln and
the city Was Crowded With
Guests From Many
States.

Lincoln, Neb., September 5.-william J.
Bryan this afternoon returned to his Lin
coin home, and the "home folks" well
coined him with every evidence of ap-
proval and satisfaction. 1t was a neigh
borly welcome. planned as such. and car
ried out in it's entirety with that un-
derstandng.
Lincoln has more republicans than DEM
ocrats, and Bryan has In the past good
humoredly expressed the belief that it
would be a task to reform. the city, po-
litically, but tonight there was no line
of partisan division, and the welcome
extended to both Mr. and Mrs. Bryan
was sincere and open-handed. Everybody
showed good nature; nobody wanted to
quarrel about politics, and nearly the
whole population showed that it was gen.
timely glad that SO well known man as
Mr.. Bryan lives here. 1t is doubtful
whether Lincoln ever held a larger crowd
than that which came to the city today
The weather, barring the heat, was
nearly perfect could be-
1t was a half-holiday in the city, and
every train which brought not only Ne
braska people, but many from nearby
states, crowded. The city was hand
somely decorated for the homecoming
the fronts of business houses being a
mass of flags and bunting. while in the
residence districts Autographs of Bryan
In the windows, together with the ma
tional colors. were everywhere seen. The
non-partisan nature of the reception was
emphasized in every way possible.
Train Arrives.
The Bryan train arrived at the Bur-
llngton depot shortly after o'clock. Two
hours before that the crowd began assem-
bling, and was packed around the depot,
on the platforms of freight and express
buildings. and on the sidewalks and in
the streets for nearly half a block away
There was roar of welcome as the train
rolled in, and Mr.. Bryan appeared on the
platform. In the party, aside from Mr.
and Mrs. Bryan, and their daughter,
Grace, was the Lincoln delegation. which
left here ten days ago to meet him in
New York, and which Mr.. Bryan accom-
panied on its homeward trip, together
with a few of the Nebraska democratic
mayors, who also went to New York
Mr.. Bryans only expression as he
looked on the multitude of faces was:
Great ScOtl. what CfDWu!
Showing no sign of fatigue, but bowling
right and left and smiling happily with
an occasional word to an old acquaint-
ance, Mr. Bryan made his way to the
carriage Seated with him in the trip
uptown were Governor Mickey, Mayor
Brown and John E. Miller president of
the Lincoln Commercial club. A second
carriage had Mrs. Bryan. Mrs. M. d.
Welch, Mrs. J. E. Miller and Mayor Dahl
man of Omaha.
There Was No Parade.
Then in turn followed carriages con-
taining members of the reception COM
mittee and newspaper men who accom-
panied Mr.. Bryan from the east. No
attempt was made at parade, although
there was a pretentious mounted escort
headed by Capt. James Cosgrave, police
men on horseback, fraternal organiza-
tions and individual marchers, the whole
preceded by six bands.
Along the route Mr.. Bryan was re-
ceived with every evidence of cordialty
and enthusiasm. Among those present
were a number of officers sand men who
were members of his regiment in the
Spanish-Ameriean war and they cheered
their colonel heartily. The party traversed
three of the principal business streets,
lined with cheering crowds, and then
proceeded to the home of Charles w.
Bryan, where Mr.. Bryan had dinner and
rested for time, prior to going to the
state capitol grounds for the speaking
exercises and reception proper.
Two hours before the time for the ex-
ercises at the capitol grounds a crowd
estimated at from 1000 to 60000 struggled
for points of vantage around the speakers
stand In brief speech or welcome Mayor
Brown said:
Before introducing Governor Mickey
who will extend the greetings of the state
Nv ua
home; not as a statesman, not as dem
ocrat, but as that dearest to us all, our
beloved neighbor."
Governor Mickey spoke in part as fol-
lows
Governor Mickey Speaks.
1--WE are glad Mr.. Bryan, that you have
home In our midst. We glad that
you are an ilustrious example of what
the head of an American home should
be- We are glad that providence has
spared the life and health of yourself
and family in your arduous travels and
that we can once more look into your
face and listen to the greetings of your
kindly voice Not only the city of Lin
coin but the entire commonwealth shares
in the felicity of this occasion and ex-
tends to you a cordial, sincere welcome
back to your own.
You have brought unstinted honor to
us. You have given fame to your city
and state in distant lands. and everywhere
have sustained the exalted character of
an American citizen"
The crowd showed some impatience as
the governor proceeded and when on his
passage he referred to bogus reform
ers' the crowd misinterpreting his
thought. indulged in some Kissing AS
Governor Mickey concluded and Mr..
Bryan arose, there renewed cheering
and handclapping. Mr.. Bryan began by
saying that in his travels he had learned
that the Arabic language contains 500
words meaning camel, and that since re-
turning to the United States he had wish
ed that the American language con-
tained as many words meaning "I thank
you"
He declared the happiest part of the
long journey was the home coming and
then went into a description of his
travels.
Following his speech Mr.. Bryan shook
hands with the thousands who passed
before him. A display of fireworks ended