The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-08
LEGION FR0LICS )
/ IN SAN ANTONIO
!! AT CONVENTION
Black Jack Pershing's Arrival
Signal for Traditional
Horseplay
10000 GREET GENERAL
Estimated Attendance at
Tenth Annual Convention
Il Nearly $4,000

OSu AnCOulO, lex, OCC. 0s-(HJ-
fNhe rhythm Of drums and the blare
bf bugles resounded through the
streets Of San Antonio until dawn
and showed no signs Of abating -
delegates and visitors awaited the
opening Of the tenth annual conven-
tion Of the American Legion here
this morning for q five day session.
The frolicsome spirit Of the veter.
ANS asserted itself throughout Sun.
day, but with the arrival late yes
terday Of fresh throngs Of visitors
and delegates including General
John J. Pershing, the horseplay
which has marked every Legion con-
vention to date suddenly came into
Its own. The pillow stunt, in which
. large number Of Legionnaires cut
holes in pillows and shake the
feathers into the street, ushered in
night Of carnival such a this city
has not known since the old cowboy
days.
Firecrackers. and torpedoes rever-
berated frequently from al sections
of the city. Joyous Legionnaires
marched up and down the streets,
shouting and capering and state del
egations bantered each other in the
tongue Of the A. E. F.. Wild cries Of
Powder River" proclaimed the ar
rival Of Northwestern state delera-
tions.
Walk Bridge Girders
San Antonio is traversed by Z
meandering river which twists
through the business districts under
q number Of steel bridges and many
of the Legionnaires devoted part Of
their time to walking the high curv-
ing arches on either side Of the
bridges.
"Black John" Pershinr found
more than $4,000 OF sshls bcysi'
present when he stepped from his
train last night and heavy police
tines were necessary to hold the
crowd back - he walked to His au-
tombile. He was whiskad away 70
his hotel before the eager crowds
could get within 100 feet OF him.
Estimates on the total attend
ance still varied, the more optimistic
predicting $4,000 against the $4,000
exepcted by the conservative. Later
arrival Of special trains will almost
double the throng now here, IN the
opinion Of railroad officials and
housing directors.
Most Of the Pullmans will remain
to serve a. hotel rooms for their oc-
cupants. Railroad companies have
installed telephones, radios, restau-
rants, electric lights and ice water
in their yards in an effort to make
the accommodations a. nearly like
those Of hotel O. possible.
Pershing Arrival Dramatic
General Pershing's arrival was
more dramatic than most Of the
spectators who greeted him realized.
It was from here that he entrained
for Washington more than eleven
years ago to receive command Of
the A. E. F.
Former Sergeant Harry L. Pol
lard, Of Beaumont, Texas, who drove
Pershing's car in France, was at the
wheel Of the automobile the general
will use during the convention.
Stepping through . group Of Of
ficers around him, Pershing gave
his old chauffeur : long handshake
and shifted his heavy overcoat to
enable him to throw his arm around
Pollard's shoulder.
Other prominent people who ar
rived on Pershing's train were Ma.
jor Georges Scapini, war blinded
member Of the French chamber Of
deputies, Major General Henry T..
Allen, commander. Of the forces Of
occupation, and Major General
Frank Parker, assistant chief of |
staff Of the army.