Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-25
VISITED OMAHA TWO DECADES AGO
President and Young Wife Greeted ny
Many Thousands.

1
Many Thousands.
President and Mrs. Cleveland visited
Omaha October u, 1887, during the presi-
dents first term. The party came from
ST. Paul and Minneapolis, having made an
extensive trip since leaving Washington.
In. the party were the president and wife,
Postmaster General and Mrs. Villas, Daniel
S. Lamont, then private secretary to the
president and later secretary of war;
Colonel Bissell, Mr.. Cleveland's old law
partner at Buffalo and later postmaster
general in his cabinet. They were met at
the depot by a multitude of people from
Iowa and Nebraska and The Bee Of that
date said: mo greater throng has ever
been seen upon the streets Of Omaha than
on this occasion"
Special car O3 Of the Union Pacific was
placed at the disposal of the reception
committee, consisting Of ]. NJ. Woolworth,
Senator Charles F.. Henderson, DR.. George
L. Miller, George w. Holdrege, w. A.
Paxton, General D. B. Dandy, Max Meyer,
James L. Boyd, Charles II. Brown. W. A.
Deuel., then assistant superintendent Of the
Nebraska division Of the Union Pacific,
had charge of the car.
At the station of the Chicago & North
western in Council Bluffs 1900 people had
assembled. The excitement became intense
as the train was seen rounding the curve
two miles up the track. When the train
finally stopped the platform of the last
car huns over the middle OF Broadway.
Upon It stood President Cleveland dressed
In a suit OF black broadcloth. his head I'M
covered and the fingers of his right hand
inserted beneath the lapel of his close
buttoned coat. He was easily distinguished
from the resemblance he bore to the best
| 80 the 1gntura. uubIob haA haan aaof L. "a.
vance.
At this moment Postmaster General Villas
recognized General henderson and orders
were given Immediately to admit him and
his party. They entered the car where
the president was, where they were pre-
scented one by one to him..
The train started for Omaha in a few
minutes and just then a tall, slight figure
wrapped in a gray mantle with a fall tur-
ban upon her head glided into the vestibule
saying in a sweet almost girlish voice, Let
me see them, too" Way was made for her,
for 1t was Mrs. Cleveland. The president
smiled and with her returned to the plat
form. This was the signal for another
loud cheer, in recognition OF which the
president DOTTED his silk hat and his
queenly wife smiled in heartiest apprecia-
ton.
SN@SNA "Ao Va SOhAASA DlhAAa AICGLGu
the president and Mrs. Cleveland on the
platform and shortly afterward the train
rolled away toward Omaha.
AS the train crossed the Missouri river.
the Omaha delegation with Mr.. Cleveland
retired to a drawing room where Congress.
man John A. Mc5hRne standing at the head
of a center table on which stood floral Of
ferings, welcomed the president on behalf
of the people of Omaha and Nebraska. BY
the time Mr.. Cleveland had responded the
train was IN Omaha and the first gun OF
the presidential salute was heard followed
by the cheers Of thousands who thronEed
the yards and followed the train to the
station.
The president, with Mrs. Cleveland and
John A. McShane. Senator Henderson, ]. E
Boyd, Max Meyer and others stood on tn,
platform. When the train stopped Actinl
Mayor Bechel was presented. He was fol
lowed by Governor Thayer and Senator
Paddock. As the guests were leaving, DR.
Miller speaking from within the car sale
to Mr.. Boyd. ASK him to make a five min
ute speech"
But time was so short that this speeci
was omitted at request of the president
The party alighted from the train and tool
their carriages. The presidents carriag,
was a massive barouche, a marvel OF dec
orative art and ornamentation. 1t was lit
orally a mass OF cut flowers. With tn
president were Mrs. Cleveland, Governo
Thayer and Congressman Mcshane. Tn,
carriage was drawn by four black horses
| gaily caparisoned in gold mounted harnas
and plumes while entwined with the har
ness and depending gracefully on the side
were flowers.
As the carriage took its place. the Youn
I Mems Democratic club formed a hollo,
square around II. The other carriage
followed on. on Tenth street the seeon
regiment United states army was draw
, up in line and saluted. Up Farnam stree
the procession passed amid one eontinuou
uproar. There were many pictures Of Nj
= Cleveland. but one OF the best was
huge oil painting in front Of the Boy
opera house. At the corner Of sixteent
and Farnam streets stood a great arel
elaborately decorated with bunting an
flags, while standing guard about the dom
were four living knights in armor.
The procession passed around the Hig
school where the demonstration was part
cularly impressive. The line OF march cor
tinued down Douglas street and thence /
the station, where Mr.. and Mrs. Cleyelan
boarded their car and, although there wa
a persistent demand for a speech, III
president maintained silence. The trai
pulled out amid cheers from the assemble
crowd.
The Knights OF Pythias also held
parade which was one Of the grandel
sights seen In Omaha. At Tenth and HsI
ney streets. Major General carnahan an
his entire staff mounted on handson
chargers. ssluted the distinguished pres
dental party with drawn swords. On Mint
street TO Farnam and west 10 Thirteeni
street, the different divisions were ~stations