Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1909-10-30

NeW orleans, Oct. 29.-The
maj touches on the preparations
for the waterways convention,
which opens here tomorrow with
rresident Taft and senator's, COR
gressnen, governors and thou
sands OF delegates was completed
today. The delegates are POURING
into the city on every train and
the hotel Iobbes and streets are
taking on carnival time appear
ance.
Natchez, Miss, Oct. 29.-Not since
the day whren the battleship Missis-
slppl visited Natchez and won the
river speed record from this CITY 70
New Orleans has there been another
sucn crowd on the bluffs as greeted
PRESIDENT Taft upon his arrival here
this morning at $40. The president
was nearly three hours behind time
Eight other vessels of the fleet were
IN sight when the Oleander pointed
her nose into the bank. One reason
\ ior the delay in reaching here was
tnat the boats arriving at Vicksbrrg
after the Oleander last night crowded
INTO the harbor canal in direct VIOLA
tion of orders and blocked the exit Of
the presidents boat.
Tart Sees Exciting Race.
once out OF Vicksburg harbor, there
occurred another exciting incident.
The Erastus Wells won second place
IN the line yesterday in a free for all
run from Helena to Vicksburg. The
steamer Alton, declared to be faster
than the Wells, tried to push into the
second place as the Oleander was
leaving last night and for minute or
more there was an exciting and dan
serous scene suggestive of old DAYS
on the Mississippi. Great clouds of
black smoke poured from the stacks
OF the two boats and occasional
flashes of fame burst from the black
clouds. The masters were trying to
push the other out of line as thew
rushed along.
Fleet Admiral Stops Contest.
The race continued until the two
racers were almost at the stern Of the
Oleander. Here Commander Tillman
admiral of the fleet, gave orders which
set things straight; the Alton dropped
astern OF the Wells and the race was
over.
President Taft was greeted here by
Mayor Benbrook and a reception com
mlttee. The mayor made a brief ad-
dress of welcome and the president
made happy response.
Taft Loses His Fleet.
ylcksburg, Miss, Oct. 29.-President
Taft arrived here last night at $40 |
o'clock on the lighthouse tender Ole-
hnder. OF the proud fleet of gorgeous I
lily decorated vessels that pointed their
proWs out of ST. Louis at o'clock on |
Monday afternoon only two were in
sight when President Taft landed and
gave himself into the hands Of an en-
fhusiastic but sadly disappointed local
committee. He received a JOYOUS vel /
c''nlt. from several hundred flithful I
watchers at the water front
The st. Paul, which started out with
-half of the governors of the Unit
ed States on board and the Quincy.
which started with Speaker Cannon
aho a large army of senator's and rep
resentatives as passengers were
among the slower vessels that were
nowhere to be seen during the presi-
dents stay
The schedule of the river trim has
gone all to pieces and although it is
Planned now to have the president
wait outside of New Orleans on Satllr-
day until most of the boats can ioin
MIN there, the chances are that This
schetne viii have to be abandoned if
M. Mr. Taft IS to set foot in the city dur
ing daylight
IN making up the schedule of the
Trip ~ is said that the maximum speed
of the fast boats and the slow boats
We're added together and an avera 90
speed struck for all. This was all, right
Tor Tor. the fast boats, but how the slow
ones were expected to keen IN Is a
mystery that river men say they are
unable to solve. President Taft tried to
remain with the fleet as long as uos-
slble. on that account he was three
late at Helena.
After consultation at the latter
place, orders We're issued annulline
alignment originally made out and
es.c eacn steamer was instructed to look
out for herself and get to New Orleans
as soon as possible regardless of the
schedule.
Immigrants Hurt in Wreck.
fn~f Tay I,,I n q Il.