The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-10-21
PATTERSON
SPEAKS To
MULTITUDE
THE MAJESTIC THEATRE
WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH
To HOLD immense THR0NG
Old Time Friends Of the Ex-Governor
We'd With New Ones To DO Hon
or to Their Leader In Sena-
tOrial Fight.

t0riai Flght.
"They told me this was the enc
mys country. If it is, l feel sorry
for the enemy" said Malcolm R. Pat
terson as he stood before cheering
mass of Democrats in the Majestic
theatre here Tuesday night, repre-
senting not only Washington county
but many other counties in the vicin-
ity. Never was a public man accord
ed a warmer demonstration than
Gov. Patterson received here from
the moment he bowed his acknowl-
edgment to the 500 men on his recep-
ton committee from the steps of his
train until his managers forced the
rooters to allow the candidate to re-
tire to his room for the night.
A Democrat from Middle Tennes-
see would never have dreamed that
there was as many Democrats in en-
tire East Tennessee as those that
poured into Johnson City in the af-
ternoon and at night. They came
from everywhere in this section of
the country. A special train brought
200 Democrats from Erwin. Fourteen
automobiles, packed to their capac-
ity, brought the Carter county con-
tingent from Elizabethton. All the
trains during the afternoon were
loaded. There were two brass bands
employed for the celebration. The
Bluff City band came down, as did
also the famous Elizabethton band, a
noted band in this section.
Reception In This City
AS the train bearing Gov. Patter-
son reached Johnson City the bands
struck up lively music, and the can
didate stepped from the platform the
500 men at the train turned loose
their lungs to their full capacity. 1t
was a great welcome. The former
governor was almost mobbed by his
admirers as he left the train. They
crowded around him, wrung his hand
and patted him on the back. One man
at the station, who it is said will vote
for Senator Lea, caught the contagion
and as he caught sight of the leader
cried, Backward, turn backward, oh
time, in your flight, and make me
for Hag again just for tonight"
Amid great enthusiasm the COVER
nor was escorted to the Windsor ho-
tel, and the band took possession of
the lobby and played vociferously all
during supper and up to the time Of
the speaking. Then a big parade was
formed and with the bands leading
the march to the theatre was made.
The crowd was packed around the
doorways and clear ont to the street,
and it was impossible for Gov. Patter-
son to get in the front door. The
was in a dilemma and it
began to look doubtful if the COVER
nor could attend his own speaking.
however, long detour was
made to the stage entrance and the
candidate reached the platform.
/, American flags were stretched all
over the stage, and the stand of the
speaker was covered with flags and
flowers. A cheer went up as Gov.
Patterson appeared and this develop
ed into a long continued ovation as
the governor faced the biggest crowd
Of his East Tennessee invasion.
The auditorium, seats 1,040 people.
It has a large gallery and there
were fully half as many people stand
ing as seated-women as we'll as men.
The manager of the theatre estima-
ted the crowd hearing the ex-gover-
nor at 1900 and said 800 more heard
nim than Senator Lea.
Gov. Patterson was introduced by
Phil s. Taylor, a nephew of the late
Senator Taylor, and a brother-in-law
of Harvey Hannah. This eloquent
young man refuted the statement of
Gen. Hannah that the Taylor family
was for Senator Lea. Gov. Patter-
son made a strong speech and his
say that the demonstration
md the speech were all that was nee
essary to insure the county for their
candidate.