Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-06
6ENERAL PERSHINC SMILES
HIS WAY into THE HEARTS
|OF THOUSANDS ALONG LINE

AA6 Adu AOI tucu dAI.
They were passed. finally, and
the, parade turned loopward. In
front of the Palmer Chiropractic
school some diversion was created
when student ran out and stood
defiantly in the path of Pershing's
car. The driver halted the ma
chine and the occupants were try
ing to find out the reason for the
young mans act, when Doctor Pal
mer, president of the school. ran
forward and shook hands with the
general from the running board Of
the car. He explained that the
young man had stopped the car for
this purpose. Pershihg did not
seem to be displeased.
Flags and bunting were copious-
Iy displayed along Pershing ave-
nue. and the other streets traversed
by the procession. Downtown they
we're exceptionally abundant. Here,
too. the crowds were collected in
throngs, to witness the passing by
the commander, although they
were not so boisterous as those in
the residence districts had been.
Practical seclusion was gained
by the party when they. entered the
Rock Island arsenal gates at 9:45,
as none but military men was al
lowed to accompany the general
and Commandant Jordan as they
made a tour of inspection, cover
ing the main parts of the arsenal.
However, the booming Of the IT.
gun salute echoed to both shores Of
the Mississippi as General PERISH
J ing passed up the main avenue OF
I the greatest arsenal in the United
States. The inspection was the
sole program thereafter until
shortly before noon.
Moline Takes Charge.
| Promptly at 12 o'clock the gem
eral and attendant party left the
administration building at ale ar
senal. At that point he was Joined
i by Mayor c. P. Skinner of Moline.
who with him occupied the ton
neau seat of the automobile
AS 1.-The procession appeared on
the bridge leading into Moline from
the arsenal, thunderous applause
arose from the thousands who were
packed into every available spnc
from which the bridge could be
seen. The general stood, bowed and
saluted the throng. When he fin
ally sat down again, after a half
block had been covered by the car,
| it was only to keep bowling to the
right and to the left, now and then
reaching out a hand to grasp that
of someone who approached close
enough to permit handshake.
All along down Fifth avenue. Nc
line, and Seventh avenue, Rock Is
land, the crowds lined the streets,
often in a solid mass on both sides
between the buildings and the bare
leeway for the automobiles in the
center of the roadway. General
Pershing was evidently much pleas
ed when the procession passed
Longfellow school, where the stud
ents had formed line for one
half block along the curb. They
waved banners Of the allied nations
1t was a colorful sight. The gen.
era, rose and saluted, then waved
and shouted Hello, youngsters"
| The Augustana campus when the
cars arrived was likewise filled with
mass of humanity. Upon stepping
from his car the general again
paused few moments for the cam
era men, Colonel Jordan, himself
Mayor Skinner and several officers
standing in the group. Then he LED
the way toward the gymnasium
door, piloted by Prof. Gustav A
Andreen. Half way there he caught
sight of rosy-faced youngster ir
baby bunting outfit, held in its
mothers arms. The general paus-
ed and patted the child's head
"Tbat's fine boy, madam" hs
smilingly remarked.
Surge Into Gym.
, The crowd surged into the gym'
nasium building and soon became
! quiet. They were impressed an
listened in silence to the simple
words Of the army leader. WheT
he Mad finished they crowded for'
ward to touch his hand, some O
them to deliver personal messages
others to get a closer look at a rea
general.
When the last Of the Thousand
persons had passed and had beer
smiled upon by the general, an aid'
slipped the 4-starred coat upor
|, Pershing, another handed him hi:
hat, and a third his gloves. Colone
Harry B. Jordan stepped forward
meet my good friends, the tri
, city newspaper reporters. general,
he said. When the formalities wer'
over Pershing, In reply to ques
tiors, said:
II can't say anything about m!
I opinions Of the arsenal. as my OF
! ficial report will embody all hav'
to make public concerning tn
: plant, and Of course I can hardl:
-aya tbot nrt niocemea1 before