The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-07-28

Leads o Goat, Rises 10 tne HeiBnts, sees
the white House and Meets an Impro.
yIsed taft" VINO Makes Merry with
Him-ToO Big for Some OF the stunts.
OMAHA, July 27.-william j. Bryan got
the time of his life tonight at the hand sof
the initiation crew of the Knights Of Ak-sa-.
ben and when in winding up the affair MIR.
Bryan led a goat around a stage while the
band played "Tammany' the audience OF
5000 knights cheered themselves hoarse.
1t was declared hat Bryan was too large
entirely to ride the billygoat, 30 the other
stunt was substituted for the riding act
The Knights Of Aksarben OF Omaha is
the most widely known commercial society
In the country and has among its mem
bers nearly one-half the business men OF
Nebraska. while hundreds Of prominent
men from other parts Of the country are
members Of the order.
Its only object is the promotion OF good
fellowship between the business mel OF
Nebraska and Of other States.
Mr.. Bryan has been a member OF the
organization for several years, but a new
initiation is necessary every year. These
limitations are the most elaborate OF any
thing of the kind In the country. In honor
of Mr.. Bryan Democrats from all e
the State were invited to come in and go
through the initiation with him. and one
special train brought in 300 candidates.
Half of these came up from Lincoln and
were all personal friends Of Bryan.
Preparations had been made to send the
Commoner through the entire list Of initia-
ton stunts, but this was finally changed and
he was spared some OF these where his
size would be against him.
Mr.. Bryan was blindfolded, together
with fifty other Democrats, and sent on a
trip through a tunnel whose floor and sides
were rough and uneven, the whole crowd
stumbling around in the darkness for ten
minutes before they reached a place OF
rest, whence Mr.. Bryan was taken up into a
high place and showed the kingdoms of
the earth, which. for his special benefit,
had been arranged as a model Of the White
House. he was not permitted TO enter,
however, but was forced to be content
with a long distance view.
come back in March, 1909. Maybe we
will let you in then" said the conductor.
One Of the strong points in the initiation
is the trip of the steamship Aquarius. dur
ing which voyage the novices are thrown
overheard in a storm and are swallowed
by a whale. Mr.. Bryan made the trip all
right, but was spared the Jonah act, a
newspaper man being substituted when
the time came to throw him overheard.
A big billy goat il used in another feature
of the show, the animal leading the candi-
dates around the stage n into all sorts II
traps. But in Bryan case he led tbs goat.
During the oblig ltions Mr.. Bryan was
fairly we'll %springlei with water, as were
the 500 who were with him,
For more han an hour the fun was fast
and furious throughout the great den,'
where 5000 Knights were gathered, and
Mr.. Bryan seemed to enjoy the frolic as
much as n one in the house. After the
initiation exercises Mr.. Bryan was led to a
stage. AS Mr.. Bryan assembled he was
Mr.. Taft, who in a funny speech intro
duced Mr.. Bryan to the Knights and then,
turning to Bryan, said: II you ever come
to Washington come around to the White
House. l will be glad to see you. The
latch string will be on the outside
In his speech Mr.. Bryan In turn invited
the stage Taft to also come down to Wash
ington. as -the White House latchstring
being or the outside will always be within
your reach
TAFT, read a letter from Yon Yonson
assuring him OF his hearty support in the
coming election and Bryan retaliated by
reading an ~improvised letter from the work.
ingmen OF Cincinnati: saying. w are for
you. We don't know you but do know your
opponent
made a fifteen minute talk, eechewing poll
tics altogether and talking simply on
Nebraska, Omaha and the good fellowship
existing among the business men Of the
State, regardless OF their party Affiliations.
At midnight Mr.. Bryan left for Lincoln.