Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-12-28

In former Lieutenant Governor JOS
cps E. Wizards private car Ranger
were former Governor A. ]. Montasue
R. L. Montague, Richard E. BYRD,
Speaker of the House of Delegates, G.
v. Meredith, John Garland Pollard, Il
M. Smith, and John Stewart Bryan.
The train had been saluted at every
town on the route from Alexandria to
Charlottesville. The train reached
Staunton at S:25 O'Clock, three quar-
ters of an hour later than they had ex-
pected to arrive. Several thousand
people squeezed themselves into the c.
& O. station to greet Mr.. Wilson. A.
squad of Virginia militia and a squad
of police from Washington kept back
the crowd which pressed forward to
the train when it came to stop. A
path was cleared for the next Presi-
dent through the station. Eyes peered
for glimpse of the distinguished
guest of the city, but he appeared not.
With Mrs. Wilson he quickly left
his private car by way of the rear plat
form. They were escorted by Mayor
Wayt to a closed automobile, which
disappeared toward the manse. But the
brass bands knew he was in Staun-
ton. They struck up Dixie. The crowd
took the cue and cheered.
With Governor Mann as their COM
panion, Governor and Mrs, Wilson
were conveyed to the manse. They
were met at the gate by Rev. DR.. A.
NJ. Fraser, who escorted them to the
porch, where Mrs. Fraser added her
welcome. The party then entered the
house.
Almost the entire population Of
Staunton had gathehred about the sta
ton and along the streets to welcome
the President-elect. Not only Staunto
mans but thousands of others from all
over the county were there.
The welcome home to the parsonage
was typically Southern. At the mo-
ment when the present pastor clasped
hands on the threshold of his house
with the son of the former pastor a
band on the sidewalk struck NJ
Home, Sweet Home" 1t was the
"Stonewall Band" of create historic
fame, for it had been organized to
play the music for Stonewall Jackson's s
brigade. and two of those who played
to welcome the President-elect had
flied in the battles of the great Con-
federate leader. AS Mrs. Wilson, a
moment later than the President-elect,
came up to the porch to be received
in the arms of the pastors wife, the
band of aged veterans switched their
tune to "Away Down South in Dixie. !"
The torchlight parade through the
town, which Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson
largely missed, was spectacular al
fair in which most of the 5000 par
Elephants wore masks and fantastic
costumes.
Immediately after Governor Wilson
left the station, members of the r3cep-
ton committee took the members o!
the Governors party to the homes III
which they were to be entertained. For
mer Lieut-Gov. Echols took Governor
and Mrs. Mann to his home. Speaker
Byrd was entertained by VIM. A.
Prat tand Mr.. and Mrs. George Cor
don Battle went to the home of Mrs.
Armistead G.. Gordon, former Cover
nor Montague was entertained by A.
F. Robertson Harry st. George Tuck
err by George M. Tucker. AS a
matter of fact, the whole city kept
open house.
A great arch with the words "Wel-
come Home" outlined in incandescent
bulbs form the gateway through which
people of Staunton welcomed home
their distinguished native son. Prepa,
rations under way for nearly two
weeks to make the homecoming a
great Virginia occasion had been com
pleted early today and Staunton, de-
spite lowering clouds and a slight
drizzle, presented the appearance Of
a city prepared for the greatest"oc'
casion of it's history.
The parade to be reviewed by the
J lCnnt;n,al a. D A Ord Col11n,r1