New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-24
HOME WELCOMES PEARY
EXPLORER At PORTLAND.
General Hubbard Gets Important
Papers on Polar Expedition.

mander Peary crossed the international boundary
line at Vanceboro. the eastern terminus Of the
Maine Central Railroad. shortly after o'clock this
morning until he arrived at Portland at 75S to-
night, his reception by the citizens of Maine
amounted TO continuous welcome.
Al Bangor important papers his North Pole
expedition were turned over by Commander Peary
TO General Thomas H. Hubbard OF New York.
president OF the Peary Arctic Club. following
brief conference. Commander Peary states that the
papers have been taken to General Hubbard's sum-
mer home at Bar Harbor. TO be examined by GEN
eral Hubbard there. and that possibly he Com
mander Peary) will be called into conference at
Bar Harbor. II IL is deemed necessary
On the journey through Eastern Maine to-day
commander and Mrs. Peary. with their children
and a large number of newspaper men. occupied a
chair car of the st, John express train and over
Moved into the first class coaches Along the 35O-
mile route Commander Peary was cordial and ap-
precative although he appeared to be rather tired
AT every station where the train stopped between
Vanceboro and Oldtown there was a crowd of
cheering country folk. who seemed TO appreciate
the fact that it the first few hours that the
Commander was enjoying in his land. with
MS own flag greeting him every side.
TRAIN CROSSES THE BOUNDARY
As the train crossed the Canadian boundary line
which is only five hundred feet distant from the
Vanceboro station Of the Maine Central Railroad
It's advent was heralded by the explosion of a
number OF railroad tOrpedoes which had been
placed on the rails At the sound OF the detona-
lions all OF the usual activities ceased IN Vance
boro. and practically every one OF the $50 inhabi-
tants OF the town rushed to the station School was
dismissed. and the children. each carrying an
American flag and a bouquet of flowers were
marched down to the train
Peary acknowledged the welcome by speaking
orlehy addressing his remarks principally 70 the
children. His wife stood by his side. II was the
hrst time he had addressed gathering since leav-
ing Cape Breton. 1t was not one man who sue
he Ia said
Feary' but the Stars and Stripes that ACCOMPLISHED
the achievement. Commander Peary said IL was
the people of the United States behind him that
made his achievement possible.
Commander Peary again asserted that his work
on the Arctic was over and when asked what his
immediate plans were said that beyond his return
to his home in Eagle Island he did not know what
! he would do
Il shall not accept any invitations TO any ova-
lions or receptions" said Commander Peary until
competent authority has settled the present con-
trOversy. In this connection let me say that the
decision Of this authority must be final absolute
and convincing. cannot say what this court OF
final resort shall be- but that be determined
| later
Speaking OF the receptions at Bangor and Port
| land. Commander Peary said:
These engagements made before I reached
! Sydney. and while I have decided TO accept no
public honors until the controversy is settled did
not under the circumstances recall the acceptance
OF the Bangor and Portland engagements
THE RECEPTION AT OLD TOWN
| At Old Town. city Of about six thousand per-
the first big demonstration this side OF
border made The train stopped there only
| about five minutes. however.
At Bangor the explorer was greeted at the station
| by an enthusiastic crowd that numbered thou
sands. and when he walked into the concOurse
| from the train shed he received succession of
rousing cheers Mayor Woodman escorted him TO
| waiting carriage. and. with General Hubbard and
members OF the city Council in following carriages
| he driven rapidly TO the Bangor House. where
the representative men of the town entertained
| him at informal luncheon. On the pOrticO ne
received massive silver loving cup. appropriately
| engraved.
In presenting the loving cup Mayor WOodman
spoke OF Peary's polar success and congratulated
| him in behalf of Bangor citizens. Pausing a few
| seconds TO read the inscription. Commander Peary
replied. in part follows:
Il hardly know what to say in reply To this.
can only say that deeply grateful for. well
highly honOred by. this courtesy. this
beautiful tribute. Although born in Pennsylvania,
I always have called myself Maine man. have
always thought there was some influence from this
rock bound coast to win what have been
striving for for years-to win the North Pole.
thank you from the bottom of my heart"
President Hyde of BowdOin College had been
pected to come up from his summer cottage neaE
Hancock Point. but was unable 10 do so
Commander Peary left Bangor for Portland at
$40 D. m on the Bar Harbor-New York express
OFFICIAL WELCOME AT wATERVILLE.
At WaterviIle Commander Peary was officially
welcomed TO that city when the train stopped.
Members Of the city government in carriages more
than one thousand school children on foot headed
by a band and escorted by Company H. National
Guard. with Captain H. l. Pepper chief mar
shall. marched to the station. where a stand had
been erected When the train arrived the COM
mander was escorted 10 the stand by Mayor Frank
Redington and DR.. J. F. Hill The school children
each carrying American flag. banked solid
~ about the stand, with the guardsmen in a line
around them TO protect them from the trains and
crowd. AS Peary mounted the stand the children
cheered and waved their flags. crowd of several
thousand persons Joined in the cheering and for a
few moments Mayor Redington could not make his
introduction of the explorer heard. When Com
mander Peary stepped to the front his fraternity
mates OF Colby College gave rOusng Delta Kappa
Epsilon yell. followed by the regular college yell
This seemed to please him much any part
of the reception
After expressing his appreciation OF the welcome
given him and greeting the children Commander
Peary spoke OF the Importance or a discovery that
had been sought three hundred years, and the sig
nihcance TO America OF having the Stars and
Stripes the first flag to reach the top OF the earth
las I said little while ago Bangor" he de-
clared. the pine clad granite hills OF Maine and
her rock bound coasts have had great influence In
this work. After his short speech the commander
shook hands with those the stand with him.
Crowds also greeted the explorer at Lewiston and
other stations between Watervlle and Portland
When Commander Peary arrived In Portland his
home city. enthusiastic welcome was accorded
him by a large part of the population. He was met
the station platform by Mayor Leighton OF
Portland and Mayor Hamilton of South Portland,
who. with the reception committee In carriages.
escorted him TO the Auditorium, where a public