The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-10-20
WAS DEMOCRATIC DAY
A Tremendous Crowd Heard William
Jennings Bryan in this City
Last Wednesday Afternoon.

fOr the democracy OF Decatur cOun-
ty, it being the greatest political
meeting which was ever held in De-
catur county, both in point of num-
bers and enthusiasm, and crowd
variously estimated at from 5000 to
1000 gathered to hear the splen-
did speech of William Jennings
Bryan.
The early morning trains brought
in large numbers from all the sur
rounding towns, the train from Mt.
Ayr being packed until every foot
of standing room on the train was
occupied and at Davis City quite a
number were unable to get on the
train and were forced. to drive to
Leon by teams. On every road lead
ing to Leon there was one long
string of teams all headed for Leon
to hear Bryan. Hours before Mr.
Bryan was to speak the big tent
which had been erected in the court
house park, which held 5000 people
was filled, and many sat there for
two long hours in order to be sure
of seat within hearing distance
of the speaker. The big tent was
entirely inadequate to accommodate
all who wanted to hear Mr.. Bryan,
but it was the largest tent which
the committee could secure.
Mr.. Bryan arrived from Creston
on the K. & w. noon train, the
members OF the reception committee
having met him at Osceola and es-
corted him to this city. Mr.. Bryan
was brought up town in an auto,
and little incident occurred which
shows the big heart which he car
ries. Earl Axes, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. G.. M. AXES, has been sick for
several weeks with typhoid fever.
He is great admirer of Mr.. Bryan
and had set his heart on getting
out to see and hear him, but his
physician refused to allow him to
leave his bed, although Earl insist
ed he was coming up town regard
less of consequences. Upon learning
of Earls desire to see him Mr..
Bryan asked the committee to take
him to the boys home and Earl
had the great pleasure of enjoying
a personal call from the great
statesman. And the visit cheered
him up and did him a power of
good. The band boys also went
around by the house as they were
returning from the depot and play
ed several pieces for Earl, as he is
a member of the band, and it was
as great day for Earl as for any
person in the whole county.
Mr.. Bryan was entertained at din
ner at Hotel Leon, special table
being provided by Landlord Cooper,
and number of prominent local
democrats were guests at the din
nv, 1,o =
an informal reception at the office
of Hon. v. R. McGinnis and hun
dreds of democrats and republicans
too called to shake hands with him,
and exchange word of greeting.
Long before the hour set for the
speaking, 1880, there was not a foot
of standing room in the big tent,
and the crowd extended clear across
the street. The meeting was called
to order by county chairman Col.
B. R. Watchbaugh, who introduced
Hon. V. R. McGinnis as master of
: ceremonies for the day. Mr.. Nc
Ginnis first introduced Hon. Frank
@. Stuart, the democratic candidate
for congress, who made a few per-
tinent remarks. Mr.. Stuart said it
was far from his purpose to take up
any considerable portion of the time,
as he had not desired to address
the meeting, but did so at the re-
quest of Mr.. Bryan and others. He
gave very brief outline of some
of the democratic principles he
stands for and said that he would
appear in this county before the
campaign closed and speak at length
Mr.. Stuart was given very hearty
welcome by the big audience. Mr..
McGinnis then introduced Nixon P
Jones, one of the two democratic
candidates for railroad commissions
er of Iowa, who spoke for a few
minutes, and then Mr.. McGinnis
proceeded to introduce Mr.. Bryan
He said:
AS l look out over this vast
audience Of familiar faces, l am re.
minded that without regard to poll
tics or party affiliation you have
gathered here to do honor to this
occasion and yourselves.
We are honored today with the
presence of one of the worlds great.
est and most distinguished private
citizens. One who has not only g
national reputation, but whom as q
private citizen the civilized world
with its rulers has been proud tc
recognize and entertain and honor
1t is said that at one time Henry
Ward Beecher received letter from
an admiring friend in Europe di.
rected to him at the United States
of America. On account of his
great and distinguished name an6
reputation the letter reached him
safely. One of his friends in com
menting on this fact said, THAT
shows that you have a national rep
utation." Mr. Beecher said "No;
a man to have a national reputa
ton must be known not only tt
every man and woman in the lant
but to every child as WE'LL" Ac
cording to Mr.. iBeecher's definition
there are but two others that car
claim the distinction of a nationa
reputation, and that is Presiden
Taft and ex-president Roosevelt.
Mr.. Bryan first came into promi
nence in 1890 as a representative
in the Congress of the United State,