Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-27
Mr.. Bryan Meets Socially
Many Citizens of Omaha.
N0N-PARTISAN RECEPTION
Nominee Will Join the KNIGHTS Of
Ak-Sar-Ben.
SPEAKS AT FLAGP0LE RAISING
Has q Conference Over the Situa.
ton With Gen. Weaver, Formerly
Populist Candidate.

OMAHA. NeD., july G.-William J.
Bryan. democratic nominee for President.
who came to Omaha to be initiated into
membership in the Ak-Sar-Ben, arrived
here this morning. Following a brief re-
ception at the railway station, Mr. BRYAN
and members of the party were driven
to the Omaha Club, at Goth and Douglas
streets, where they were assigned quar-
tiers for the afternoon and evening. There
were many callers and the informal re-
ception planned to take place in the foyer
Of the clubhouse gave evidence Of the
popularity of Nebraska's leading citizen
in the state metropolis. The entire pro-
gram was arranged with view to give
Mr. Bryan a purely non-partisan greet
ing. and was under the auspices of the
knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, an organization
of men identified with the commercial
interests OF Omaha and Nebraska. Lunch
con was served at the club at 1 o'clock.
but there were no guests. After lunch
con Mr.. Bryan was given an opportunity
to meet hundreds of Omaha citizens. but
politics being barred, this reception devel-
oped into a large social affair.
At Flagpole Raising.
At o'clock Mr.. Bryan was the speaker
at the democratic fiagpole raising by the
John A. Creighton Marching Club. Creigh-
ton was the Omaha millionaire who gave
largely to Mr.. Bryan's first campaign and
who is said to have financed Mr.. Bryan
personally at that time. While speaking
at this fiagpole raising Mr.. Bryan posed
before a moving picture machine. the
films of which are to be used at the
national corn exchange at Omaha in
December.
Mr. Bryan will be initiated tonight into
the knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, the big COM
mercial order of Nebraska, to which every
business man in Omaha and half of those
in Nebraska belong. A number Of special
trains will bring In members from other
points.
Confers With Gen. Weaver.
When Mr.. Bryan awoke this morning he
found awaiting him Gen. j. b. Weaver
Of Iowa, who in 1892 was the populist
candidate for President Gen. Weaver
boarded the train at Colfax, Iowa, while
Mr.. Bryan was dressing, but soon the two
men were engaged in earnest conversation
over the political situation Gen. Weaver
some time ago identified himself with the
democratic party, and Is a strong friend
Of Mr. Bryan.
Mr.. Bryan had a good nights rest Be-
fore going to bed he was serenaded in his
car by male quartet from theatrical
company, OOunQ west. he greatly enjoyed
the treat and clapped his hands fire.
auently. At Newton, Iowa. this morning
a large crowd gathered about the car
and called for Mr.. Bryan. He was only
partially dressed, but putting his head
out Of the window Of his stateroom he
said: Good morning, gentlemen" and
expressed regret that he did not know
speech was to be made. else he would
have been up to say a few words.
Welcomed at Des Moines.
When Mr.. Bryan passed through Des
Moines at an early hour this morning on
Rock Island train he was greeted by
crowd of 1000 people. and when he was
literally carried from the train to an ex-
press truck under the station shed, they
cheered. fought, pushed and some
scratched" their way through the jam
to hear his f1ve-minute speech.
They cheered the Nebraskan from the
time the train arrived until it passed be-
yond the sound of their voices. except for
lull while they listened intently to his
speech.
Mr. Bryan promised them that he would
go to Iowa at some future date during
the campaign and speak at length.