The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-29
BARBECUE AT FARGO.
Judge Taft Meets One of the Biggest
Crowds of His Trip.

Fargo. N. D., Sept 29.-Big crowds
manifesting both interest and enthus-
iasm surrounded the Taft party wher-
ever it stopped in its course over the
Great Northern district up through
Minnesota and North Dakota. The
sixteen speeches which Mr.. Taft de-
livered yesterday worked havoc with
the splendid voice he started out with
in the morning, and it is again in bad
condition. The day had two features,
! the Grand Forks meeting and the
Fargo rally last night In both places
tremendous crowds were out and in
each the candidate had to make three
speeches.
The Fargo meeting was made unique
by the striking feature of huge bar
becue. Ten steers and twenty sheep
furnished food for the multitude. The
feast was participated in by thousands
of eXcursionists, some of whom had
come from as far as $50 miles distant.
1t was just dark when the Taft spe-
cial reached the end of its days run
and the people were out in force to
extend welcome. A torchlight process
sion enlivened by the music of four
teen bands and made picturesque by
the squad of mounted cowboys with
their characteristic yells, escorted the
Ohioan through the town and out to
the forest where the barbecue was
ready to serve. 1t had been first plan
ned that bear meat should be a part
of the feast, but the two black bears
trapped some time ago and fattened
on nuts for the occasion, calmly look
ed on at the feed of which they were
to have been part. They were
chained to a table near where the
candidate stood to eat his bread and
meat and drink hot coffee from tin
cup. The bears were saved because
of the sentiment that it would never
do to have the candidate eat up real
Teddy Bears as they were designated
by a large sign over them.
The speaking here was done in
natural amphitheater in a cleared
place in the woods. Log fires had been
lighted around the circle where stood
the great audience and the hundreds
of torches which remained lighted,
lent weird glare over the crowd.
The air was damp and cold, but the
crowd. which was the largest open air
meeting the candidate has had since
his trip began remained with. him to
the last. The two speeches delivered
in Fargo were in large halls which
were also crowded and enthusiasm
was everywhere manifested. While
Mr.. Taft discussed labor and the tar
iff and the Roosevelt policies at the
various points along his route, he
made new combinations in his speech
es and threw in many touches OF local
color and human ipterest.sz,i-~
Again there was a demonstration of
what is regarded as one of the most
effective results of the trip, the bring
ing together for the national ticket OF
the leaders or the FACTIONS. MINNIE
sofas representation in the Taft. train
was varied, and while it is said there
had been no pronounced factionai diff
ferences in that state, the large local
delega ton which was there travelled
through their respective territories to-
gether. With Senators Clapp and Mel
sen is said to have had the effect of
emphasizing the impression Of solidity.
Before the North Dakota line, was
reached a large delegation was taken
abroad from that state. Mr.. Hans
brough. who has just been defeated
for reelection. and who represents one
of the factions. Joined the party and
let it be known that he was for the ma
tional ticket.
AT Grand Forks Mr.. Taft was es-
corted through the town to the steps
of the Y. NJ. G. A. building where he
talked TO an immense audience. He
was then hurried away to large rink
where he made another speech and
then before his five minute stop had
expanded to one of an hour and
quarter he addressed a crowd which
filled the local opera house.
Speeches were made during the day
at St. Cloud. Sank Center. Alexandria.
Fergus Falls. GAINESVILLE. Ada and
Crookston. MINI. The weather was
cold and light falls of snow were en-
countered.
The candidate read with expressed
satisfaction the latest utterance of
President Roosevelt in his controversy
with Mr.. Bryan. but decided not to
take a hand in the matter himself.