The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-10-26
MAGNIFICENT DEMONSTRATION.
Hon. T. S. Wilkinson Greeted by Immense
Crowd at Local Courthouse Last
Ntght-CapacIty of Build

ing X c e e d Q d.

- = $500 SsaptaSAtJ VI A1hs4u-
ing Exceeded.
Two stars of the first magnitude ia
the Wilkinson constellation appeared
together in DonaIdsonqille last eve
ming and illuminated the campaign in
Ascension parish, the speakers includ
ing Hons. I. S. Wilkinson, one of the
gubernatorial candidates, and Donel-
son Gallery, OF ST, Mary. The APP
pearance OF Mr.. Gallery was regarded
by his friends as of especial signif-
canoe, this being his first speech, out
side his own bailiwick, in behalf of
Mr.. Wilkinson's candidacy.
Next to Mr.. Broussard's support,
the enlistment Of Mr.. Gallery Is re.
garded by the Wilkinson manage.
ment IS one OF the most encouraging
t'signs OF the times,n and as straw
indicating the direction in which ths
political breeze Is blowing. AS one
time candidate of the combined indie.
pendent Democratic and Republican
parties for governor of Louisiana, Mr..
Gallery is said still to have large
following, whose forces are expected
by his friends to swing into the line
for the planter from Plaquemines.
Although every effort was made to
keep the meeting within the bounds of
a strictly Ascension parish demonstra-
ton, many visitors came in from
other sections to swell the throng
which gathered from every point in
this parish. For the benefit of those
who would otherwise have found it in
convenient to attend, the ferry boat
Washington was run from New River
landing, touching at both sides of the
river, while the steamer Virgie was
run over from Burnside. Both were
crowded, but landed their passengers
in good season for the opening exer-
cises.
The courtroom, in which the meet
ing was held, had been deliberately
and tastefully decorated for the occa-
sion by committee OF ladies, and the
results were pointed out with particu-
lar pride. Ferns and palms formed a
breastwork for the judges bench, from
which the orators addressed the gath
ering, while tiny American flags and
pictures OF Mr.. Wilkinson also played
prominent parts in the decorative
scheme. Seats were provided for
seven hundred persons, and no chair
was found wanting an occupant.
Throughout the day visitors bad
poured into town, and by afternoon
the occasion partook OF the nature OF
gala festival.
In anticipation of the arrival OF Mr..
Gallery, Chairman r. N. Sims of the
Wilkinson campaign committee came
up from New Orleans on the first train
yesterday forenoon, determined that
this, his home town, should give the
visitors rousing welcome. Mr.. Will
kinson passed through at O'Clock in
the morning en- route from Natchito-
ches to New Orleans, but returned on
the west-bound train over the Mississ-
ippi Valley route in the afternoon. He
was accorded most enthusiastic re-
ception at Burnside and upon his
arrival in DonaIdsonville. When the
Vira lie steamed into her landing the
levee was lined with people, among
the spectators being scores of ladies
waving small American flags. A pa
rade was formed, headed by the St.
Joseph Brass Band, and the distin-
guished visitor was escorted to the
Nichols Hotel, where quarters had
been reserved. Colonel Wilkinson,
Mr.. Gallery and others were the guests
of Mr.. and Mrs. F. B. Lemann at din
ner.
It had been expected that Congress
man Broussard would attend the meet
ing and make an address, but a tele-
gram was received from him yesterday
afternoon stating that at the last mo-
ment business engagements had pre-
vented his leaving New Orleans.
The meeting was called to order at
o'clock by Capt. V. Maurin, chair
man Of the Democratic parish execu-
tive committee, who introduced Hon.
E. N. Pugh as chairman. Mr.. Pugh
delivered brief address eulogistic of
Col. Wilkinson and advocating his
election, and then introduced the pop
uIar candidate as the first speaker OF
the evening. Upon advancing to the
front of the speakers stand, Col. Will
kinson was presented with a gorgeous
cluster of chrysanthemums and ferns
by Miss Adele Blum. These flowers
had arrived on the afternoon train
from New Orleans and hidden among
them was an envelope containing the
following message: ITO Col. Wilkin-
son, from some of his New Orleans
women friends and we'll wishers."
There was no clew to the identity of
the senders.
Miss Blum, in a delightful little
speech, then presented MIR. Wilkinson
with magnificent basket of flowers
and another mass of chrysanthemums,
in the name of the ladies of Donald
sonville. Mr.. Wilkinson made an APP
propriate speech OF acceptance OF these
floral offerings and then launched into
| very brief address in the interest of
n I II AZ.