Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-10
PRESIDENT TAFT
IS NEAR END OF
1900 MILE TRIP
CHIEF EXECUTIVE WILL REACH
RICHMOND TODAY
NATIONS HEAD WILL PASS TO.
NIGHT AT WHITE HOUSE
Wilmington Citizens Turn Out in
Large Numbers to Greet First Man
of United States, Who Talks
on Forest Preservation
[By Associated Press. ]

M ILMINGTON, N. c., Nov. 9.-Hs
w 1900 miles journey through
thirty-three states and terri
tories all but concluded. President Taft
was speeding tonight toward Richmond,
where he will stop tomorrow until late
in the afternoon, leaving then for
Washington to pass the night at the
White House.
The president has had a wonderfully
good time on his long trip, but IS
nearly tagged out and is glad his
travels so soon are to be over.
Mr. Taft has given up all idea of
visiting Panama this winter and will
make no more long trips until next
summer, when he hopes to visit Alaska.
He will pass the Christmas holidays in
the White House with his family. The
president is especially glad in getting
home to know that Mrs. Taft is better
The great improvement which began
at Beverly last summer has continued
rapidly, and early and complete re-
covery from the nervous breakdown of
last spring is certain.
During his fifty-six days on the road,
President Taft has not let the setting
of the sun go by without sending Mrs.
Taft a telegram He has literally in
terspersed the daily messages by wire
with long letters detailing the most
minute happenings of his trip, and in
this way has actually written a COM
plete History of his journey.
Reception Is Significant
The presidents day In Wilmington
called out a great display of enthu-
siasm. People came from all sections
to participate in the welcome. In many
ways the celebration here was one of
the most significant of the presidents
trip.
Governor Kitchin extended formal
welcome of the state in an address
which bristled with the patriotism of
the south and which embodied one of
the most glowing tributes the president
has received.
Arriving here before daylight this
morning, the president slept until
nearly o'clock, when he was escorted
to>the beautiful colonial home of James
Sprunt, one of the greatest exporters Of
cotton In the SOUTH where a southern
home breakfast was served. George
Washington and Daniel Webster had
known the hospitality of the same
splendid mansion. The breakfast was
stH'd in tho con@t 'vatory, which had
been made into a grape arbor.
At the end of the meal Mayor Mac
Rae of Wilmington voiced the welcome
to the city and created Mr.. Taft IAN
honorary tarheel' for life.
From the Sprunt home the president
motored for a review of 1900 school
children. He stopped several minutes
to listen to their cheers and songs and
proceeded to another part of the city,
where he reviewed the negro children
and made them a little address.
Taft Given Sail
Boarding the revenue cutter Semi
mole at 10:30 o'clock with a committee
of fifty citizens as an escort the presi-
dent was taken for a sail of twenty
five miles down the waterway and re-
turn. Wilmington is desirous of deep
ening her channel to the sea from
twenty-four to thirty feet and the ride
was to give the president an object
lesson as to the need of Improvement.
Luncheon was served on board. Dur
ing the trip the president sent a wire
less message to Mrs. Taft.
When the river trip had ended Presi-
dent Taft was taken for a carriage
ride. The parade ended at the city
hall, where the president spoke. To-
Continued Page Two.