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

the parties. They are of so many
shades and they resemble the varie-
ty of colors in the Philippines. The
president told Of some of the pOliti-
cal parties in the Philippines, to
show what slight differences exist
ed between them. America is not
the only country where they have a
great variety. On the west he had
met great many men having diff
ferent opinions, and related one of
Seth Bullock's stories about lynch
ing some horse thieves.
The president rendered tribute to
the people of Mankato for their very
cordial reception and felt that the
people had arisen above obstacles
of bad weather and impressed him
with their good will.
A representative of The Daily
Free Press took the 4:30 a. m.
Omaha train to Shakopee to meet
the presidential train and ride to
Mankato on it. Shakopee was found
to be well decorated, and although
the hour was early, there was a
general feeling of expectancy mani
fest. A dozen or fifteen men
boarded the train at Belle PLANE
the president, and as the time for
the train to arrive approached the
town began to fill up. People came
in by every kind of vehicles from
a one-horse chaise to an automobile
and all trains were crowded with
sightseers.
The streets were decorated, and
especially the block or two near the
pretty little depot that is used joint
ly by the Omaha and Milwaukee
roads. A platform had been con-
structed at the south end, substan-
TALLY of planks, for the president to
speak from during his brief stay.
The outer corners were decorated
with corn shocks and pumpkins, to
represent plenty, and the effect was
both suggestive and pretty. Products
of Shakopee were also shown-brick,
flour, sugar beets and beet sugar,
and Rock Springs water in Taft size
bottles.
The presidential train had been
scheduled to arrive at $3.50 a. m,
but a message was received about
1880 a. m. saying that it would ar
rive at S:55 a. m. The crowd gath
cred about the depot long before
that, including the children from
the public and Catholic schools, the
fire department, and $50 men sworn
in as deputy sheriffs.
When the presidents special train
finally pulled in at 9:15 a. m. there
was much enthusiasm manifested The
train came in over the Milwaukee
road from Pierre, Huron and Aber-
deem, S. D., and was at once
switched over to the Omaha track
and a new engine was attached and
, a new train crew from the Omaha
road took charge. A huge ITO ton
engine, No. 3O6, was attached, and
Conductor Jack Smith took charge
of the train, with Engineer A. j..
Layton at the throttle, and Fireman
Gallow. The brakemen were Pat
Calvin and Matt thinner.
Boarding the train at Shakopee
were also c. D. Stockwell, assist
ant superintendent, and William Don
ahue, travelling engineer. Superin-
tendent F. E. Nichols =. private car
arrived from st. Paul and was at
tached.
Taft's Car in Middle of Train.
President Taft's car was in the
middle of the splendid and luxurious
train, that being considered the SAT-
est place in case of an accident.
When the train arrived over the
Milwaukee road, the two front cars,
coach and baggage car, were de-
livered to the Omaha road first, and
attached to the Omaha engine, and
then the rest of the train was
switched over. The entire proceeding
was done expeditiously and safely.
The morning opened frosty, but
with the promise of a good day, al
though the sky was somewhat over
cast People have become so used
to rain that they are thankful if
there is not a downpour.
President Taft stood the trip from
the Dakotas well. He enjoyed a
good rest, and was early astir and
had good breakfast aboard his
train. He was in good spirits, and
anticipated day filled with activity
and the pleasure of meeting his fell
low citizens, mingling with them, and
imparting his views on public ques-
tons.
Precautions to Guard President.
No greater precautions for the
safety of the car of all the Russia S
could have been taken than has
marked the care with which the
trip of President Taft has been sur
rounded. Secret service men have
been over the route several days in
advance, inspecting every foot OF
ground and the unoccupied buildings
near which the person of, the great
est ruler in the world was to be ex-
posed even momentarily. Experience
has shown that the land abOunds
with cranks and crazed persons, and
it is necessary for the safety oil
n. ~