Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-03-06

Der arm in arm to attend the inducs
ton into office of James Schoolcratt
Sherman, as vice president of the
United States.
Taft Takes the Oath.
Only short time elapsed before Mr.
Taft turned to Chief Justice Fuller
when that dignity arose and prepared
to administer the cath. Half MN
ute later MIR. Taft had spoken the
words which made him the twenty
sixth president OF the United states.
He kissed the Bible as the concluding
act of Inauguration, and the sacrsa
volume used for the occasion VIII
hereafter repose in the Taft home as
its most priced possession. There
were many demonstrations OF popular
approval before President Taft, rais-
ing his hand and broadening ms g n
ial smile, succeeded in restoring qnaet
and began his inaugural address.
When the last words had been spok-
en- the people rushed forward
to congratulate the !, president
First and foremost came his family
Indeed the president turned instlnc'
lively toward them as he finished his
address as though he were anxious
that they should be the first to greet
him. Then followed the greatest out:
burst of the day. The enthusiasm and
patriotism of the thousands assem-,
bled in front of the capitol knew nc
bounds when Theodore Roosevelt, no
longer a public servant. and William
H Taft, no longer private citizen
stood before that great people and
clasped hands in parting which led
one to private life and freedom from
official cares and the other 10 the
White House to take up the burdens
of state.
The Roosevelt carriage, with its es
cort drove up to the stand and amid
prolonged cheers of admirers, Mr.. and
Mrs. Roosevelt were driven through
the long lane of troops to the Union
station, where they were to take q
train for their home at Oyster Bay.
When he had received the congratu
1ations of the distinguished visitors
President Taft took his place in the
carriage at the head of the line and
drove. through a solid mass of cheer
ing Americans, to the reviewing stant
in front of the White House.
The Inaugural Parade.
More than thirty thousand marching
men participated today in the grea
military and civic pageant which con
stituted the principal spectacular
feature of the presidential Inaugural
ceremony. Approximately twenty-five
thousand of these were soldiers, sail
Tors and marines of the military estab
lishrlents of the United States, bodie:
of the national guard of many states
with large contingents of spruce
cadets and midshipmen from the Ma
tional Military and Naval academies
Lining Pennsylvania avenue from
the capitol to the White House, were
immense stands for spectators ant
every seat was occupied. Ever.
vantage point in window and OF
house-top was taken when the head O
the magnificent column Of thirty-odt
thousand men swung around the
at the Peace monument and straight
ened out for its more-than-a-mile-lon:
march to. through and beyond thu
brilliant Court of Honor The avenu,
and vivid green, the official oolors o
this, the most picturesque of inaug
ural ceremonies.
Almost every person among TIL
scores Of thousands that damned tn
sidewalks and thronged the building
along the route of the parade carried
a miniature star spangled banner al
tached to golden staff. These wer
waved with right good will and bet
ter evidence of the patriotism of TIL
American people and the popularity 0
the new president and vice presiden
could have been afforded than the re
ception which greeted the organize
tons as the procession swept between
the throngs which lined the great ave
nue. on both sides.
Returning Sailors Welcomed.
After Major General ]. Frankli
Bell, the grand marshal of the parade
accompanied by his brilliantly un
formed staff, had passed. and been az
corded a vociferous greeting, tn