Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-24
PEARY AT PORTLAND.

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Portland, Me-, Sept. 23.-Crowdng,
pushing, tanning, $4,000 eager men,
women and children, their path ablaZe
with red fire, this evening cheered
Commander Robert e. Peary, the Arc
tic explorer, from the Maine Central
Railroad station a mile across the
city, TO the spacious Auditorium here
where public reception, one of the
rcatest in the history of the State
{ Maine. was held. 1t was indeed a
rand welcome home.
After receiving a continuous ovation
rom the Canadian border line on his
abroad Journey across the State, the
My Maine man to go North of SO"
topped from the platform of a Pull
man car attached to the Bar Harbor
Express into a clamoring mob of i'm
}atient citizens. They had been await
MS homecoming for nearly ar hour.
Almost Immediately ne was surround
ed by a Gordon of police, who had to
Dull their night sticks to keep the
sWaying crowds away. Meanwhile,
va bands stationed in front of the
ucpOl, SlIuCh up 81 livery dlI etllu SlONly
ne commander made his way towards
nc side of TIE great granite building.
Here he was met by Mayor Adam r.
Leighton of this city and Mayor Fred
/. Hamilton of South Portland.
Slowly the man, whose name is the
topic Of conversation in every house
hold, moved towards an open carriage,
which stood waiting a short distance
away Tho crowd broke into a pro-
ionged yell. Peary stood up for a mo-
ment. Jared his head and bowed
SLIGHTLY At that moment n sI-'roclrnt
whizzed up in the air and bursting di-
"ectly over his head with a louu re-
port shot forth a shower of red whit,
and blue stars. The commander gazed
aeavcnrard. He gazed across that sea
Of uptrlrnnd faces. The crowd stopped
its Yelling Everyone thought he would
make a speech.
Il love my Cook. but OH You
Peary." shouted a youngstcr from the
crowd and the cheering began with
renewed vieor.
AS the bands started playing a
march air the procession moved off
from the station. The first carriage
came Commander Peary, Governor
Bert NJ. Fernald, Mayor Leighton and
Mayor Hamilton. A second carriage
contained President William Dewitt
Hyde of Bowdoin College ana two
members of The Governors staff. In
other carriages We're seated the mem
bers of the reception committee and
the city governments of the sister
cities.
Following marched four connanicS
of the Militia and a bard of the Naval
Reserves. At intervals all throuch IT,"
'~- ..~~~ tIcns carrying torchlights.
blazing red.
As the parade moved IN Congress
street Hill Commander Pcary arose
from his seat and bowed to the cheer
ing crowds As the parade moved caily
along it was seen that there was a
continued lane IN both sides of the
street. The windows on most Of the
| houses were packed and American
flags foated gently in the evening
| breeze.
| At the fire engine house a great
changing of bells began and at every
corner stood band of automobiles,
| who footed their horns as the dlstin-
gushed visitor and his party passed
| by. The mansion where Henry w
Longfellow spent many happy hours
| fickered with hundreds of merry
| lights.
Exchange street was reached and the
military companies went ahead of the
carriages. Then amid another pro
| longed outburst Of cheering Peary was
escorted down through the lines of
stately soldier boys to the Auditorium
For a few minutes the crowds that
we're swarming about the outside of the
| big red brick building under the glare
| of the great electric arc lights were
| held in check.
"WeT, what do you think of this
demonstration, Commander" he was
asked. when ne was finally inside the
| hall