The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-06-21
Met at tho Union Station in Spite OF
Threatening Skies and Escorted
to His Residence In Frank
lin Street.
IN A LARGE PROCESSION
Address of Welcome by e. w. Nc
Manus and Interesting Response
by the keokuk Physician
Absent TWO Years.

On the return of Major Bruce l..
Cilfllan last evening, Keokuk showed
its regard again for good WORK done
In the combat sectors OF the world
war.
When the Rock Island train ar
rived at o'clock, il look I'd ike IL
would pour down torrents OF rain ~
any minute, and the rain had peel
threatened for an hour-indeed II
had been raining hard all around the
union station.
But the weather did not deter
crowd from gathering to meet Dr.
Gilfillan on his arrival back nome
after about two years absence. Many
went down TO the station in automo.
biIes. and one was packed full OF
nurses from ST. Joseph's hospital in
their pale blue and white uniforms.
The EIks marched down with their
flags and the KeokuR Concert band.
Scene at the Station.
Finally the whistle of the approach
ing train was heard at successive
crossings, nearer and nearer, the
band told in music that the gang was
all there, the locomotive glided slow
" to a stop, and everybody who
could climbed up ON trucks and bread
cases to get their first look at Major
Gilfllau.
He was nearly the last person out
of the rear coach at the step Of which
Charles S. Abel was standing with
his eyes on the car platform.
There he is" exclaimed hundred
voices, as the khaki uniform appear
ed coming out of the train He
stepped into a vortex OF outstretched
arms and swirling people, each try
ing to get to him as soon as possible.
Had Too Few Hands.
1t was several minutes before he
could move out of his tracks, SO
dense was the pressure Of his friends
around him, and he was trying TO
shake hands with everybody at once
81 haven't hands enough" he said
once pathetically-
The pressure on him was relieved,
when the Elks formed some sem
blance of line moving past him and
shaking his hand.
Fail I'M" And at that the Elks
formed column again and the others
scattered for places to see the pro-
cession and to accompany It uptown.
1t moved up the Main street hill
to Sixth street and out Sixth TO
Franklin street, stopping with its
center opposite the home OF DR.. Gil
fillan at sos FranhliQ street
He Looked Like II.
Certainly Major Gilfllan is the
largest, If not the brayest. soldier yet
seen in uniform in Keokuk. In the
forefront of the column marching
through the streets, he lowered mas
siveiy above his escort and looked
every inch the thorough army man
he Is.
On either side Of him IN open order
marched Mayor Ed. S. Lotion, Com
missioner d. J. Hemmy, with Z. w.
McManus, the orator Of the occasion,
filling the four.
Then came the band followed by
the Elks carrying their flags, and
the rest of the procession was a long
line of automobiles.
At the residence, the lower floor
was lighted and the porch decorated
/ with flags and a score OF handsome
women The adjoining home Of Cap
tain r. c. Oyerton was abIaze with
1 electric lights IN every window and
z was also handsomely decorated with
flags.
His Eloquent Welcome.
Applause from the people gathered
there and much honking from the
many automobiles filing the curbs
in that block greeted the arrival OF
DR.. Gilfllan and the procession at his
house.
Standing on the terrace, Edward
w. McManus made the address OF
welcome.
This is gladstone and joyous
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