The Colorado statesman. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1895-1961, 1909-03-13

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thousand men parading to the
tunes of more than "A hundred
crashing bands; amid hurrahs,
shouts and joyous peals from the
Threats and hearts of hundreds of
thousands of people, William How
ard Taft on the fourth of March
was transformed from private
citizen to the president of the
United States, and Theodore Roose-
welt from the president of the
United States to private citizen.
This inaugural metamorphosis was
the most brilliant in the history of
the republic. The only happening
which detracted from this great
scene was the hard and frigid
weather. The entire winter, up to
March the third has been most
ideal, and it seemed that old "King
Winter reserved his wrath es-
pecially for this inauguration. AS
the thousands of people from all
parts of the country on the third
of March were gathering here, and
the carnival spirit was at high tide
everything appearing bright and
at its best, his Wintery HighnesS
summoned every nimbose element
in the heavens to assemble directly
over Washington, and then in all
of his anger he uncorked the most
severe assortment of winter wealth
er. The heavens Numbered and
lightning flashed, the wind blew
the hail and the rain and the snow
ragged about until we were soak
ed to the limit. The next morning,
the fourth, found Washington
mantled in snow and slush. King
Winter had taken absolute posses
sion of the city, blowing down tel
egraph poles, completely tying up
the railroad system, and cutting
Washington off from all communi-
cation with the outside world. The
day was cold and raw, with deep
slush under foot which was most
disagreeable. In speaking of this
storm and its disagreeable effect,
one man said that it certainly was
fitting farewell to the strenuous
Theodore, and nature must have
ordered it especially in his honor.
The weather, however, did not stop
the inaugural ceremonies which
were carried out of course in a
much handicapped manner. The
parade was very much shortened
and many of its features had to be
omitted on account of IA large num-
Der of persons who were to take
part in it being storm bound out
side of the city, and thousands of
those who were already in the city
We're prevented from viewing it be-
cause of the inclement and dis
agreeable weather conditions. So
much has been said and written
concerning the decorations, cleo
trical display, and other beautiful
features of this character that it
would be useless for me to attempt
to add anything further than to
emphasize the grandeur of the
Court of Honor, which extended
from Fifteenth street to Seven
teenth street along Pennsylvania
avenue in front of the White House
and some of the other public build
ings.
The section of the parade which
would interest colored people most
was the magnificent appearance Of
the first separate battalion of the
District Guards, commanded by
Major Arthur Brooks; DR.. +. w.
Williston and his staff in charge of
the third divisions and the Philip
pine Constabulary band in charge
of Capt. Walter Lowering, the
young colored man born and edu-
Gated in Washington Capt Low
ering organized and trained this
band after he was mustered out of
the service of regiment of colored
men stationed in the Philippines
During the Worlds Fair at St
Louis, this band took second prize
as the best band in the world. At
ter the president, Capt Lowering
and his band, it may well be said,
was the center of attraction of the
inaugural street parade. This band
was also honored by the position of
escort to the president on his way
to the capitol TO take the oath of Of
flee and served at the inaugural
ball. There We're quite a number
of colored men in the parade and
all made a most creditable showing.
Probably the most interesting
feature of the Inauguration, view