The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-31
Bands Play "1ixie'' and Eager Thousands Meet the Re-
 leased Prisoner
MOST UNIQUE INCIDENT
 IN COUNTRIES HISTORY
Aged Veteran Was Overwhelmed With Congratulations Upon Expiration of His Sentence for Con
 tempt of Court.

Chattanooga, January 3oe-With bands playing Dixie" and Home, Sweet Home," Capt. Joseph F. Shipp was greet ed here at o'clock this evening by at least 10000 of his fellow citizens when he alghted from the train that bore him to his home from Washington, where he has just completed sentence in prison for contempt of court in connection with the lynching of Ed Johnson, negro.
 It was the most unique reception ever accorded private citizen of Chattanooga and probably one of the most unusual occurrences in the history of the coun- try.
 About 5 o'clock the terminal station was crowded to it's utmost capacity, and the streets surrounding the station were damned with throng of people such as has never before assembled in this city. There was nothing else talked of but Cap tain Shipp.
 As trains pulled into the shed the eager crowd burst forth in cheer after cheer and necks were craned for glimpse of the old soldier for whose coming they were anxiously waiting.
 When it was finally announced that his train was late there were murmurs of iTn- patience. At last the Washington train crept slowly into the shed. Immediately the band struck up ''Dixie," and instant ly the surging throng was in @ state of frenzy. Men wept, shouted and laughed almost in the same breath and minute; women became frantic and all made des- perate efforts to reach the eide of the grizzled veteran, but so dense was the mass of humanity that there was immi- nent danger of panic and possible injury to women and children.
 As Captain Shipp walked slowly down the length of the shed he was greeted by his aged wife, who sobbed quietly upon his breast for moment as she embraced her husband, who had been so long ab- sent from her side.
 This greeting over, the bands played Home, Sweet Home' and again pande- monium broke forth. The strains of the pathetic music were drowned in the wild cheers that were sent up.
 Captain Shipp was so overwhelmed that he was unable to speak He raised his hat and bowed right and left to his ad- miring friends as officers opened a way for him to pass through to the waiting carriage. and as he passed along the streets the crowd closed in behind him, while deafening cheers were given for the venerable citizen
 Captain Shipp was driven at once to his home
 Former Deputy Sheriffs Nick Nolan and Luther Williams returned with their for lner chief and they, too, were given con- siderable attention by their friends.
 delegation of 70 Chattanooga citizens went to Knoxville this morning to meet Captain Shipp and accompany him to the city. At all stations along tho route vast throngs gave the party rousing recep- tions
 At the smaller towns many country folk had driven in in all sorts of vehicles. and the stations were swarming with people. Whenever the train stopped there were loud demonstrations and at several places Captain Shipp appeared and ac. knowledged the greetings of his friends.
 Chattanooga, January 30--Late tonight Captain Shipp. having recovered from the excitement of his remarkable reception made brief statement. He said:
 T am extremely sorry that was un- able to speak word to the thousands Of friends who so cordially greeted me at the station tonight. I knew they would give me a reception, but I was totally unprepared for such a demonstration. I would have been pleased to thank them then and there, but, you know, my wife met me at the station and that made a difference.
 While we were in the Washington prison we were given treatment of which no one could complain. The prison offi- cials were as kind and considerate as they possibly could have been and kept within the prison rules.
 T have no criticism to make. My en- forced stay in Washington was as pleas ant as could be in the circumstances.
 T have made no plans for the future. but will so on my way and endeavor above all things to retain the high es- .teem of my fellow-townsmen, which was so generously displayed in the demon stration accorded me and my associates on our arrival here Certainly this re- ception, so enthusiastic, was not wholly in my honor My associates were as highly thought of in the plans of the peo- pie of Chattanooga and all along the route after we crossed the Tennessee line as was I. and we appreciate the feeling L