Omaha daily bee., 1909-06-18
Thank You, Gentlemen" Their Sole
Response to Tributes.
THEY WORK PART OF THE DAY
Business Suspended While Townsmen
Join in CelebratioS
HAVE PARADE AND d.
Quaint Figure of Father than
layton Figures In Lively Mt
Medals Authorized by
Ereus Presented Today

DAYTON. o., June lin the =
which a few years ago they began -
security their first experiments with flying
machines, orville and Wilbur Wright today
received the homage Of their townspeople.
Escorted by brass bands, led beneath tri-
umphaI arches, through streets decorated
with models OF their aeroplanes and praised
in public speeches. the Wright brothers APP
peared the least conscious that anything
unusual was going on.
When that part OF the program was
reached which read, Responses by the
wnghts." Wilbur and Orvllle each arose
and said: Thank you gentlemen"
This is how the Wright brothers spent
the day:
a. m.--Left their work in the aeroplane
shop and In their shirt sleeves went out in
the street to hear every whistle and bell in
town blow and ring for ten minutes.
9:1O a. m.-Returned to work.
10 a. m.-Drove in a parade to the open
ing ceremony Of the home coming cele-
bration."
II a. m.-Returned to work
Noon Reunion at dinner with Bishop
Milton WElk0At Nle AalHtIg NAloo haNhSAih
Wright the sister; Reuohlin Wright Of
Tonganoxie, Kan, a brother, and Loren,
another brother.
2:9O u. Interviewed a parade given in
their honor in the downtown streets.
p. m.-worked two hours packing up
parts OF an aeroplane for shipment to
Washington.
p. Unattended public reception and
shook hands with as many Daytonians as
could get near them.
D. m.-Saw a pyrotechnical display on
the river 'front.' in which their own por-
traits eighty feet high and entwined in
an American flag were shown.
When the fireworks we're over, wilbur
turned to Orvllle and said Lets hurry
home you know we have to get up early"
FluueTing In 5banners- and gay dccora-
tions, Dayton left nothing undone to honor
the aviators. Business was suspended save
for the sale OF toy airships and post cards
illustrative OF the Wrghts' home. the mod
est two-story frame dwelling in Hawthorne
street. II was also suspended at Huffman
Prairie, eight miles east of Dayton, where
IA 1896 the Wrights made their first long
aeroplane flight. lie Mans, France, the
scene Of many OF the European flights Of
the Wright machine was remembered in
a banner NnlCu DoIc hhGSe WOluos
The three great cities, Dayton, Wash
ington and lie Mans France"
After the salute OF cannon, ringing of
bells and blowing of whistles, with which
the day began, the opening ceremony was
held In park beneath the trees, 'Jona-
than Dayton" representing the founder OF
the city and dressed in colonial costume
and wig, with cast OF characters, pre-
sented a pageant. The crowds we're so
great that people viewed the spectacle
from fences, trees and house tops. Casting
his eyes skyward, Jonathan Dayton said:
'Methinks / see two great objects like
gigantic birds coming from the eastward
as II riding the wings OF the morning
What manner of birds can these be-"
They" interposed another character,
are none other than two of Dayton's
ilustrious sons coming home from foreign
triumphs with the greatest invention OF
the age. Let US welcome them"
1t was after receiving this welcome that
Wilbur and orviile Wright, sitting as spec
tators on the platform, arose and said
THANK you. gentlemen"
Back 10 Their workshop.
A few minutes after the ceremony the
Wrights were back In their workshop
where the windows were covered with can
vas to keep out the gaze Of the curious
General James Allen. chief signal officer
accompanied by Lieutenant Lahm OF the
signal corps, arrived from Washington to-
day with the gold medal authorized eJ
congress- which he is to present to the
Wright brothers tomorrow. Governor Jud'
son Harmon OF Ohio Is expected to present
medal on behalf of the state and Mayor
Burkhart on behalf of Dayton.
Carlos Gracia Volex, thS cuban minister
IL here and II is expected Representatives
Of other foreign governments will attend
the presentation.