Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1913-07-17

i e
Few events in the history of Hender-
sonville stand out so prominently as
does the visit of Hon. William Jen-
nings Bryan, secretary of state, on
Sunday last. The elements conspired
with the officials of the Henderson
Vile Chautauua who were responsible
for the coming Of the great man, and
the result was perfect weather which
allowed the thousands who desired to
greet the secretary an unalloyed OPP
portunity. In consequence the city
was filled with visitors from the
neighboring towns and adjacent coun-
try and the welcome given the distin-
guished visitor could scarcely have
been more hearty. More than three
hundred automobiles representing
many sections in the Land of the Sky
as well as distant cities were in at
tendance at the celebration and long
procession Of utos accompanied the
secretary on his entrance into the city
of Hendersonville
Col. Bryan was accompanied from
Asheyille Sunday morning by num-
Der of friends and admirers, many Of
whom joined the line of autos en-
route. The streets along whichh the
impromptu procession passed WeSe
lined with people from home and from
abroad, all of whom waived greet
ing as the great Commoner appeared.
The Colonel was scheduled to de-
liver two lectures at the auditorium
during the day. at 11:00 and $3.50 in
the afternoon Upon arriving at Hen
dersonville Col. Bryan and his Ashe-
vile host, Mr.. Fred L. Seeley, builder
of the Grove Park Inn, became guests
OF Mr. M. L. Shipman, commissioner
of labor for the state of North Carroll
IA and editor and president of the
Western Carolina Democrat and
French Broad Hustler. After the
morning lecture Col. Bryan, Mr.. See
ley, N. M 'Hollowen of the Associated
Press and Gordon Darlington of the
local press were entertained by Mr.
Shipman at the st. John Hotel. Al
ter the luncheon Sam t. Hodges did
the honors and showed the Colonel
some of the sights of Hendersonv1lle
and vicinity on an auto ride which
consumed the time remaining until the
beginning of the second lecture. Other
guests of Mr. Hodges on the sight
seeing ride were G. e. Brooks and
Walter Smith.
The Signs OF the Times.
The big auditorium which seats
more than a thousand persons was
comfortably filled to greet the great
lecturer upon his initial appearance
in Hendersonville. The stage was taste
fully decorated with flags and ferns
and seats of honor were occupied by a :.
number of the representativ men OF
the community. Rev. a. l.. Stanford
IF the First Methodist church made
the invocation which was followed by
q vocal solo by Madame Grace Hall,
RiheIdaffer, the celebrated soprano.
Sam T. Hodges, Superintendent OF the
Chautauuua Association introduced NJ.
i. Shipman as the first speaker. Mr..
Hodges who with Mr. Shipman went to
Washington and induced Col. Bryan TO
come to Hendersonyille, made some
happy remarks in connection with his
Introduction and among other things
suggested that with the brains and
brass possessed by the two almost
anything could be accomplished.
Introduces Col. Bryan.
Mr.. shipman responding to the in
PRODUCTION said:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
"A feeling of over-awe creeps over me
as stand in the presence Of greatness
and I am fully convinced that no
eulogy I might pronounce upon the
life and character of the distinguished
American whom it is our good fortune
to have with us today could possibly
add to your estimate Of the man. For
the past seventeen years his name has
been a household word throughout this
great country, from Maine to Califor-
MA and from the Great Lakes to the
Gulf. Millions of patriotic American
citizens have delighted to do him honor
and steadfastiy refused to forsake his
standard. The purpose of his life has
been the uplift of the race and no man
OF this age has shown himself great
er friend of the needy and the oppress-
cd. In reality; he is the first citizen OF
the Republic and the peoples high es-