The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-27
ROUSlNG RECEPTION
FOR TAFT In TOPEKA

I Continued from Page One.l
anxious to get a view of the president.
From porches and roofs of houses,
came cheers for the cOuntry's chief ex-
ecutive and an enthusiastic waving of
handkerchiefs, flags and pennants.
Thousands of veterans of the Civil
and Spanish-American wars, not in the
line Of march, cheered until their voices
were hoarse and waved their hats and
hands in more silent greeting.
The first division was commanded
by H. H Louther of Lincoln post and
followed by troops of cavalry from
Fort Leavenworth. MarshalPs band
preceded the presidential party. Then
came the president and his party, fol-
lowed by the governors party, the con-
gressional party, Topeka federal ap-
pointees and twenty cars loaded with
escorts composed of prominent vet
Grams and officials of the American
wars.
At the head of the second division
cort preceding the division of the
First infantry, followed by the First
Regiment Kansas National Guard
band. This was followed by the Ma
artillery, K. N. C. Following Troop A,
came Troop G, Fifteenth U. S. cavalry.
The third division of the big parade
was in charge of Colonel NJ. w. Saxon.
His escort was followed by the knights
and Ladies of Security band. behind
which marched Topeka troopers and
delegations from Topeka fraternal
orders. Then came the Industrial school
trumpeters at the head of a long line of
cadets.
Veterans March in Parade.
Major r. E. Reser was in command
of the fourth division behind which
marched Kenesaw Post Minneapolis,
Kan, a delegation from Old Abe camp
T -fF
by a thousand grizzled veterans, many
of them with halting, uncertain steps.
On Harrison street the procession in
creased in size. Here the line was
posts in almost every section of the
state joined in the parade. Sometimes
it was a half dozen gray haired vet
Grams wearing the little bronze button.
sometimes it was score of old boys
proudly carrying the banner of their
home camp.
Only few of these representatives
from the towns of Kansas found
place in the first division behind the
presidents party This was mainly due
to the fact that they prepared to meet
the big parade after the initial forma-
tion. Many Topeka people kindly
placed their motor cars at the disposal
of the men who laid down their lives
that their country might triumph. 1t
was favor that these men appreciat-
boys in '61 were saved a tiresome walk
under the blistering sun
From Minneapolis, lola, Fort Scott,
Emporia, Lawrence and other towns
were delegations that joined in the
parade before it reached Kansas ave
nue.. Almost every veteran in the
parade wore the blue uniform, some of
which were tattered and torn; and some
Of the gray haired old men carried
empty sleeves their shoulders were
ST f6air
bright and clear as the day they went
to the war so years ago, but they were
happy this morning and none in the
long procession We're more enthusiastic
than the fading lines of veterans who
represented camps which each year call
the roll for a passing membership.
It was these old boys who shared
with the president the applause and
welcome of the great crowds. When
ever one of these visiting delegations
appeared in the line of march there
was a fresh outburst from the crowds
that added to the hearty welcome that
had greeted the presidents party near
the head of the line.
Then when the several Topeka camps
and delegations from other Shawnee
county posts appeared, the crowd was
not slow to distinguish their waving
banners and their reception was
noisy one.
Parade Grew in Length.
When the parade reached Eleventh
and Harrison streets, it proceeded
north to Third street, then east to
Kansas avenue. Several times the pro-
cession was stopped that additional
delegations might join in the parade
AS the bands started playing at the
foot of Kansas avenue, more than 80
motor cars were in the line of march
and most of them conveyed visiting
boys in blue Some of them may never
ride in a presidents parade again.
some of them may never attend a state
reunion but they We're happy and
smiling this morning; and it was their
happiness that aroused the patriotism
and enthusiasm of the thousands.
Along Kansas avenue, the parade
marched to Tenth avenue, then west to
Jackson street. Before reaching Jack
son street. the presidents party stop
ped near the new Memorial building
and viewed the parade. Here it was
that one of the most touching incidents
of the big parade occurred. With hat
in hand. President Taft smiled and
bowed and waved TO the veterans in
the long parade From every passing