Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-05-21
TAFT IN SEVERE
CL0UDBURST,, BIG
CROWD IN PANIC
STORM BREAKS OVER CHARLOTTE.
N. c., WHILE PRESIDENT IS
REVIEWING PARADE.
NO ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED,
National Executive Rides with Mrs.
"Stonewall" Jackson to Witness
Celebra ton
NO ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED.
IS JULY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

CHARLOTTE, n. c., May pa
cloudburst broke over the city this aft
ernoon and caused a panic in the dense
crowd gathered in front of the stand
from which President Taft was review
ing the Mecklenburg celebration parade.
No one was seriously hurt.
In the midst of the excitement and the
fleeing throng one of the big industrial
floats became entangled with a live cleo
trio light wire. The wire sagged almost
to the heads of the people beneath. To
a loud report and a binding flash not
fifty yards from the reviewing stand.
Just what caused the explosion is not
known.
All Rush for Stand.
The crowd scattered in all directions.
Men and women alike rushed for the
shelter of the Presidents stand and the
President stepped to one side to give as
much room as possible The tremendous
dOwnpour of rain was soon beating its
way through the canvas roof of the stand
and almost directly over the President S
head a great pool of water gathered
threatening to break down the covering.
In the emergency some one brought a
cutting a hole in the canvas let the wa
ter down in a perfect flood This quick
action prevented any further trouble
than the partial drenching of the Presi-
dent. Umbrellas were offered III profu-
sion, but were of little avail against the
torrantial rain. After the first mad rush
for cover the crowds were soon quoted
The electric power was cut off and the
excitement soon was over. When quiet
had been restored the President did not
seem to mind the experience III the least
President Taft's presence in Charlotte
lent notable interest to the annual cele-
bration of the signing of the Mecklen-
burg declaration of independence, which
it is claimed, was the first step toward
liberty taken by the American colonists
The Presidents participation marked the
elimination of a three days celebration
The Mecklenburg declaration long has
been a subject of stubborn controversy
1t is declared by its supporters to have
antedated the famous declaration OF
July 4, 1776, and has also been de
nounced as a myth The differences
between the upholders of the Mecklen
burg document and its critics long have
been considered irreconcilable. 1t was
with great citation, however, that the
people of North Carolina secured the
acceptance of President Taft to attend
the festivities of the closing day OF
the celebration OF 10Y.
Signed May 20, ITS.
It is claimed that the Mecklenburg
declaration was signed May 20, 1775
A body of colonists met at Mecklenburg
near Charlotte, and resolving themselves
into committee of safety, it is declared
they drew up a declaration of independ
ence. Unfortunately for the discussion
which has followed, the original copy OF
the Mecklenburg declaration was saif
to have been lost in fire which de
stroyed the home of John McKnitt Alex
a@ler, in whose keeping it was.
Among AleXander's papers, however
il is related that Il copy of the original
signed by him as q delegate and clerk OF
the convention, was found. 1t was il
1925 that the people of North Carolina
first formally observed May 20. Ii
1880 the Legislature of the state ap
pointed a committee to consider all the
evidence obtainable concerning the af
fairs. The committee affirmed the genu
ineness of the Mecklenburg resolutions
Today the date May 20 is emblazoned or
the great seal of North Carolina. the
declaration appears in the statute books
of the state and each year the anniver
sary is observed Among the residents
of Charlotte are many descendants OF
those who are claimed to have framed
and signed this first declaration of Amer
lean independence.
The President who yesterday was the
guest of Petersburg, Va, upon his arriva
here, shortly before II o'clock, was met
at the railway station by a committee OF
citizens and escorted to the Selwyn hotel
AS the regular southern railway train
bearing the Presidents car crossed the
city limits, a presidential salute of TWEEN
ty-one guns was fired by the Charlotte
artillery.
Holds Reception at Hotel
Arriving at the hotel the President held
a reception for one hour. At noon, with