Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-11-06
DISASTROUS SALUTE
FROM BANK OF RIVER
Premature Discharge Blows Negro
Cannoneer into Water and Sends
Ramrod Over Bow OF Revenue Cut
ter with Mr.. Taft Aboard-Sena-
tor TiIlman Attends Banquet.
(By Associated Press.)


irving here at dusk this afternoon
President Taft had one of the most
picturesque receptions Of his trip. At
the head OF a procession of automo-
piles and escorted by an imposing
array of military, he passed through
the principal business streets Of the
city under arches Of electric lights
that gave an illumination almost equal
to day. The sidewalks held an im-
mense thrOng and the Presidents pas
sage from the union station to the
home Of Mayor Rhett. where he is
spending the night, was marked by
cheers.
Mr.. Taft is no stranger to Charles
ton. He has been here five times
in recent years. HIS reception tonight
was a repetition of the welcomes the
President had received elsewhere in
the South.
Tonight he was the guest of honor
at banquet rendered to him by the
city. It was arranged with especial
regard to the PRESIDENTS comfort and
, the only set speeches were the intro
duction Of the President by Mayor
Rhett end the responses by Mr.. Taft.
IN which he expressed his gratifica-
ton AT being in Charleston and his re-
gret that he cannot make a longer
stay. The President leaves tomorrow
! morning at S o'clock for Columbia and
will reach Augusta, Ga, tomorrow
night for stay of two days.
! Senator TiiIman Present.
Governor Ansel and Senators Till
man and Smith arrived in Charles
ton today to assist in the welcome to
the President and were among the
guests of honor at the banquet to-
night. This is the first Presidential
! reception in which Senator Tillman
las participated in good many
years. Until Mr.. Taft was inaugural
ed. Mr.. Tillman had not even been
caller at the White House for a
long, long time.
On his arrival the President was es-
corted to Citadel Green. the old parade
ground of the South Carolina Mill.
tary Academy, where the major por-
ton of the military escort was drawn
UP. At Mayor Rhett's residence an
informal reception was held before
the banquet.
Disastrous Salute.
President Taft had busy day in
Savannah before leaving there al
2:sO p. m. for this city During a
morning sail down the river TO Fort
Screven he Witnessed an accident II
which il was thought at first two meu
had been killed As IL turned out one
man. a negro. lost his arm. and anoth.
or his eve. The two men we're FIRMS
4 salute 70 the President from a
small cannon drawn up at the water
front. A premature explosion occur
red as the negro was Tsmming home
2 charge Of powder. and IN the cloud
Of smoke which followed the report
of the cannon the President saw q
man flying through the air The mar
fell into the river The ramrod
no; been removed from the gun
shot across the bow OF ths
revenue cutter Yamacra~ on the
deck Of which the President was
standing. Mr.. Taft called attention
20 the accident al once. The man
struggling in the water was rescued
snd the President was relieved n
know there was no loss Of life.
Spectacular Auto Ride.
The river trip ended. the President
participated In a parade through the
streets. where he was greeted BY tns
entire population. he then went foi
an automobile ride over the prize race
course.
In many ways his trip over the