The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-10-03
CAUGHT IN HEAVY rain
President Thoroughly Drenched
in Parade at St. Louis.
TALKS IN HIS WET CLOTHES
Chief Executive Insists on Carrying
Out His Part Of the Programme and
Speaks at Considerable Length to
an Immense Audience.

Speaks at Considerable Length to
an Immense Audience.
St. Louis, Oct. 3.--Welcomed by
screaming whistles, changing bells,
detonatlons of bursting
bombs and the huzzas from thousands
of threats President Roosevelt landed
at St. Louis at 9:47 a. M, making the
first stop on his voyage down the Mis-
sissippi river from Keokuk, Ia, to
Memphis, Tenn, where he will attend
the Lakes to the Gulf Deep Water.
ways association convention. The
cruise is the presidents active re.
Spouse to a general invitation from
the governors of the states along the
Mississippi river, given in the belief
that he will be so impressed with the
enormous waste of freight carrying
energy that he will exert powerful in
fluence in favor of committing the
government to act with definite and
larger spirit toward deepening the
by ocean going craft.
The entrance of the steamer Missis-
sippi, bearing the president, into the
harbor Of st. Louis, was announced by
the firing Of bombs and blowing of
whistles. Tens Of thousands Of per-
sons lined both shores of the river
and across Eads bridge, the main
viewpoint, stretched a chain of hu.
manity, solidly packed from the ILL
nois to the Missouri side.
The morning had dawned- bright
and clear, but by 9 O'Clock clouds be-
gan to gather. Efforts were made to
rush the programme along because of
the threatening weather. The line of
procession was quickly formed for the
drive to the Jai Alai building, in the
western portion Of the city, five miles
from the river, where the president
was to deliver his speech. A Gordon
OF mounted police led the way, then
a company of United States cavalry
and the presidents carriage, contain
ing also Mayor Wells and three secret
service men. Following came twenty
two carriages bearing the visiting
governors and other dignitaries, with
military band and two companies of
infantry from Jefferson barracks
bringing up the rear
Caught in Heavy Shower.
By the time the procession had pro-
ceeded eight blocks the skies opened
and the president and his welcoming
host were instantly drenched. The
horses were whipped up and regard
less Of professional formation the
president was hurried to the Jai Alai
building.
Notwithstanding that President
Roosevelt was caught in the rain as
he stood in the open carriage bowling
to the multitude he proceeded straight
to the Jai Alai building and went
through the programme in his wet
clothes.
Mayor Wells, whose raiment was
also considerably dampened, intro
duced Governor Folk of Missouri, who,
in turn, made a brief speech present.
ing President Roosevelt. At the first
mention of President Roosevelt's name
10000 persons spontaneously sprang
to their feet and began waving flags
as they voiced their greeting by the
full use Of their lungs. The ovation
continued for three minutes. With a
broad smile the president waited until
quiet had been restored and then be-
gan the delivery of his address, which
was devoted mainly to the subject of
water navigation and Improvement OF
our waterways, although he touched
briefly upon the subject of govern
ment control of corporations.
The president concluded speaking
at 1928 p. m. The weather had
cleared and the sun was shining
brightly as he again entered his car
rage and drove off to the Jefferson
hotel amid cheering of the multitude.
He was officially entertained at lunch
con at the Jefferson hotel. The lunch
con was rendered by the Business
Mems league Of St. Louis to Pres
ident Roosevelt, the visiting govern:
ors, congressman, members of the in.
land waterways commission and other
distinguished guests. -Four hundred
covers were laid. The luncheon was
informal in nature and there were no
set speeches.