The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-10-03
CAUGHT IN HEAVY RAIN.
President Thoroughly Drenched
in Parade at St. Louis.
TALKS IN HIS WET CLOTHES

Out His Part of the Programme and
Speaks at Considerable Length to
an Immense Audience.
st. Louis, Oct. 3-Welcomed by
screaming whistles, changing bells,
laundering detonations of bursting
bombs and the huzZas from thousands
of throats President Roosevelt landed
at St Louis at 9:47 a. m, making the
first stop on his voyage down the Mis-
Memphis, Tenn, where he will attend
the Lakes to the Gulf Deep Water.
ways association convention. The
cruise is the presidents active re-
sponse 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
fuence in favor of committing the
government to act with definite and
larger spirit toward deepening the
great inland channels for navigation
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 chain of hui
manity, solidly packed from the Illi-
nois to the Missouri side.
The morning had dawned bright
and clear, but by O'Clock clouds be-
gan to gather. Efforts We're 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
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
a 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
Nd hie welcoming
host were instantly drenched. The
horses were whipped up and regard
less of professional formation the
president was hurried to the Jai Ala
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 wen'
through the programme in his wei
clothes.
Mayor Wells, whose raiment was
also considerably dampened, intro
duced Governor Folk of Missouri, who
in turn, made brief speech present
ing President Roosevelt. AT the first
mention of President Roosevelt's name
10000 persons spontaneously sprane
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, whicl
was devoted mainly to the subject OF
water navigation and inn rovement o.
our waterways, although he touched
briefly upon the subjec. of govern
ment control of corporations.
The president concluded speaking
at 1928 p. IN. The weather had
cleared and the sun was shining
brightly as he again entered his car
riage 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 othel
distinguished guests. Four hundred
covers were laid The luncheon was
informal in nature and there were M
set speeches