The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-10-27

teachers had been training them to
give, but the rain prevented this.
The children had prepared short
song and together with the cheers
was to compose the program. Father
Hartman was there, and later when
the president arrived at the Elks
club he remembered Father Hart
man.
His Memory for Names.
President Taft has an excellent
memory for names and is very OBJ
servant of all that goes about him.
He observed everything down to the
minutest details. He expressed his
city like Mankato, and remarked
about the fine streets, public and
private buildings and other sights
along the route of the parade.
When he held the reception at the
Elks club he met Frank E. Browder,
assistant manager of the Hubbard
mill. He Immediately recognized
the name.
did you use to live in Tennes-
see?" he asked.
"No, sir" replied Mr.. Browder,
81 formerly lived in Kentucky"
"Well, then you have a brother in
| Tennessee, have you not?"
eyes, sir"
81 thought so. / know him very
WELL"
Is Hearty Eater.
The chief magistrate proved to be
a hearty eater also. Evidently the
cooking of Chef Offenbacher at the
Elks club was to his liking for he
ate everything except the sweet po-
tatoes. Sweets, cake, everything
went, which goes to make up the
prodigious form of the president.
During the parade he asked a
number of questions about the form
of government of Mankato, and
showed that he kept posted on local
affairs as well as national. Although
he was kept busy greeting the crowd
he found time to ask Mayor Taylor
about some of the advantages of the
commission form of government,
which the mayor explained.
He seemed especially concerned
about the responsibilities of the com.
missioners. He thought that it would
be an easy way to trace the respon-
sibilities SO that in case of some
fault-fnding the cause could be trac-
ed very easily.
Changing of Parade Route.
Owing to the inclement weather
the parade route was changed some
what. The continual waving of the
president and greeting, brought the
! rain down his sleeves in small
gushes. Before he arrived at the
court house he was soaked through
to the skin. But he bravely made
his speech and was willing to con-
tinue through the rain.
At first Major Archibald Butt was
doubtful as to the wisdom of COM
pleting the parade, but Mr.. Hob
mann, who was chairman of the
parade committee, explained to him
that hundreds of people were wait
ing along upper Second and Third
streets and lower Second and Front
streets to see the president.
Situation Was Explained.
When Mr.. Holman came up
+ Third street and saw the automo.
/ biles turning into Walnut street to
the speakers stand at the court
house, he was very much dissap-
pointed himself, and while the presi-
dent was speaking from the stand
explained the situation to Major
Butt, the presidents military aid
Major Butt consented to have Mr.
Taft driven along those streets. Chair
man Holman at once sent severa
of the mounted escort along Second
and Front streets to announce to the
people that the president would be
along at the conclusion of his speech
at the court house.
When he had finished the presi
dents car started down Second
street as directed, but before the
president had gotten as far as Main
street, going down on Second, he
was soaked so much that Major
Butt ordered the driver to 60 direc
to the Elks club, upon reaching
main street, and would not permit
the president to remain out any
longer.
No Committee Member Responsible
This was done, not because an,
member of the committee desired te
have the president cut his route
short and prevent some from seems
him but because necessity compelled
Major Butt to do so. No member Of
the committee was responsible fol
this shortening of the route. Since
the parade a number of telephone
calls were made to Mr.. Hohmann':
office, criticising him for so doing
while in fact Mr.. Hohmann not only
did not do this but even tried hi:
best to complete the parade as out
lined. When Mr.. Hohmann came t.
his office this morning he found ;
memorandum on his desk, sayins