Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-07-07
DECdNES
TOBE HALTED
BY FLOOD
PUMPS OUT OF LINCOLN
ON PRIVATE HAND CAR
Athletic Temporary Chairman
Has Strenuous Experience
on Pilgrimage to Democratic
Mecca at Lincoln.

4
IBy Morning journal speclas LaaEAd Wire. I
Fairvicw Lincoln, Neb., July g.
VIII Theodore A. Bell, temporary
chairman of the convention at Denver,
reach the Coorado capital in time to
open the convention tomorrow?
This was the question. more than
platform or vice presidential candf-
dacy. which agtated William j. Bry-
an and local democrats today. Mr..
Bell, while passenger on a special
train bound from California to the
convention at Denver, was appointed
by California delegates to visit Fair
view and notify Mr.. Bryan that Ma
than Cole had been selected as ma
tional committeeman and that Cole
and Bell. after heated argument.
much exaggerated in newspaper re-
ports, had finished by agreeing to
work shoulder to shoulder in support
OF the ticket to be chosen at the cap
ltal of Colorado.
In pursuit of this mission Mr.. Bell
journeyed without incident from Og-
den, Utah, to Omaha. and from Oma-
ha, with many difficulties, to Lincoln
Ten hours were consumed by Mr. Bell
In making the fiftyflve miles between
Omaha and Lincoln. His train was
side-tracked at half dozen points for
other trains, and was held at spot
five miles from Lincoln, for several
hours because of flood which had
all but put the Rock Island road out
Of business.
The train was halted by Il washout,
and Bell grip in hand. started to walk
60 the city. He encountered half q
mile Of track under water and brave
ly walked through the lake. part of
the time up TO his knees in water. He
waded to the Lincoln hotel, two miles
away and after securing breakfast
started for Faiview in carriage,
reaching that place exactly at noon.
The deluge of rain which had fallen
for nine hours made the journey an
uncomfortable one, and when the
driver of the cab and Mr.. Bell finally
reached the suburban farm of Mr..
Bryan. his team was all but exhausted.
The democratic leader had anticipat-
ed the visit of Mr., Bell and had been
anxiously consulting With railroad Of
flces all forenoon.
Despite the fact that re had less
than half an hour to confer with tho
democratic leader. Mr.. Bell covered
the questions of his speech and other
matters he had in mind when he left
Ogden.
Principal of these was his address
as temporary chairman. and particu-
lar attention was given to the portion
OF 1t which referred to the campaign
publicity plank. Mr.. Bell took occa-
sion also during his stay at Fairview
to fully acquaint Mr.. Bryan with con-
ditlons in California and Of the fea-
lures on which the trouble occurred
on the trip eastward.
1t was half past O'Clock this after
noon when Mr.. Bell returned to the
railroad station, where he found the
hand car waiting him. An elaborate
RhHBA9 VI Adn bNNn DllNu VII
the car from diner lying on an adj
Joining track held up by the flood
The scene Of the departure was full Of
comedy and drama. Standing on the
front of the hand car, Chairman Bell
displayed his six feet OF height, pre-
paartory to the start. while dozen en-
thuslastic photographers tried to snap
the scene during a downpour Of rain.
The temporary chairman In the act
OF propelling hand car out OF town
In order to reach the scene Of real ac-
tlvity proved of sufficient interest TO
bring a crowd OF people to the little
station despite the weather, and as he
rested his hand on the handle OF the
car n parting cheer was given by the
members of the reception committee
who had cared Cor his wants during
the few hours OF his stay In the city.
lie quickly adjusted himself to the
condition. and with an invitation to
the newspaper men 10 90 thou and
do llkcwise." gave an exhibition OF
athletics by his application to motive
mower.