The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-24
Arctic Explorer Is Received With Enthusiasm By the
 Citizens of Maine
TOUR THROUGH STATE
 IS ONE OF TRIUMPH
F rom the Extreme Eastern Part of the State to Portland Peary Is Given Heartiest Reception By Men,
 Women and Children.

Portland, Me, September 23.-From the
 moment Commander Peary crossed the
 international boundary line at Vanceboro
 the eastern terminus of the Maine Central railroad, shortly after o'clock this morn ing, until he arrived tonight. his re- ception by the citizens of Maine amounted to continuous ovation.
 At Bangor important papers of his ex- petition were turned over to Gen. Thom- as H. Hubbard of New York, president of the Peary Arctic club. after a brief con ference. Commander Peary says that the papers have been taken to General Hur- bard's summer residence at Bar Harbor to be examined by General Hubbard there, and that Possibly he Commander Peary) will be called into conference at Bar Harbor next Tuesday or Wednesday if lis deemed necessary. During the jour ney through Eastern Maine Commander and Mrs. Peary. with their children and a swarm of newspaper men, occupied the chair car of the St. John express train and overfiowed into the first-class coaches Along the 350-mile route Commander
 
 though he appeared to be rather tired. At every station where the train stopped between Vaneeboro and Old Town there was a crowd of cheering country folk, who seemed to appreciate the fact that II was the first few hours that the com mander was enjoying in his own land, Wath his own country flag greeting him on every side.
 First Demonstration.
 At Old Town, city of 5000, the first big demonstration on this side of the border was made. The train stopped fthere only about five minutes, however. 8At Bangor the explorer was welcomed at The station by an enthusiastic crowd which numbered in the thousands, and when he walked into the concourse from the train he was given succession of rousing cheers. Mayor John Woodman escorted him to waiting carriage and with General Hubbard and members of the city council in other carriages he was driven rapidly to the Bangor House. where the representative men of the town entertained him at informal luncheon. He was presented the portco with a massive silver loving cup, appropriately l engraved.
 Commander Peary left Bangor for Portland at $40 p. m. on the Bar Har- bor-New York express, after stop of less than three hours there.
 At Waterville he was officially well comed to that city when the train stopped.
 Members of the city government, in car ridges, over 1000 school children on foot headed by band and escorted by a company of the national guard with Capt. H. L. Pepper as chief marshall marched to the station where stand had been erected When the train ar rived the commander escorted to the stand by Mayor Frank Resington and Dr. J. s. Hill. The school children each carrying an American flag were banked solidly about the stand, with the guards men around them As Peary mounted the stand the children cheered and waved their flags, making a very attractive pie ture. crowd of several thousand people joined in the ch heering for some moments. When Commander Peary stepped to the front his fraternity mates of Colby col lege gave a rousng Delta Kappa Ep- silon yell, followed by the regular col lege yell. This seemed to please him as much as any part of the reception.
 Peary Makes Speech.
 After expressing his appreciation of the welcome given him Commander Peary spoke of the importance of a discovery that had been sought 300 years and the significance of having the Stars and Stripes the first flag to reach the top of the north After his speech the com mander shook hands with those the stand and three rousing cheers and a tiger were given for him by the crowd. The cheering continued until the train was well under way.
 When Commander Peary arrived in Portland, his home city, at TAO p. m., he was given an enthusiastic welcome by a large portion of the population. He was met on the station platform by ax,1 Hamilton og South Portland, who, with the reception committee in carriages, es- zzkorted him to the auditorium, spa sious hall, where he was rendered nota- ble public reception. Four companies Of militia and a large participation of cit izens, all carrying red fire, marched De- hind the carriages
 The streets from the station to the auditorium were lined with people. Thous- ands cheered the explorer as he passed by and later shook his hand. ban uuet with Commander Peary and several distinguished guests as speakers followed the reception. |
 From the time of the completion of his triumphal journey through Maine at TAO o'clock this evening until late hour Commander Peary was in the ] hands of his fellow citizens reinforced by the governor or the state and the | president of Bowdoin college, his alma ! mater.
 Tn thousands passed in line at the au- ditorium to grasp the explorer by the ; hand and congratulate him on the out | come of his latest Arctic voyage. On { the way to the auditorium thousands Joined enthusia stically in the cheering. |
 After the deception Commander Peary was banquetted by the cities of Port land and South Portland At this func- ton he was vociferously applauded by the diners and comp llmented by half dozen speakers including Governor Fernald and President Dewitt Hyde of Bowdoin college
 Hubbard Talks With Peary. Bar Harbor, September 23.--Gen. Thom- As H. Hubbard, president of the Peary Arctic club, talked today at Bangor with ;pm. Robert E. Peary and returned here