The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-21
Son of Blacksmith Returns
to BOyhoOd Scenes in
Triumph.
BANDS BLARE WELCOME
Nominee Visits Birthplace
and Swimming Hole;
Speaks Tonight.
BY PAUL r. MALLON
United Press stan Correspondent

WEST BRANCH, Iowa, Aug. 81.
The 545 residents of this farm
belt village-except old George
Turner, who twisted his ankle yes
terday-turned out en- masse today
to welcome Herbert Hoover to his
birthplace.
Two enthusiastic bands, blaring
iowa" and 1.-The Star-Spangled
Banner" intermittently, led the
picturesque delegation to the spe-
cial train of the Republican nom
inee which pulled into the station
this morning.
A parade escorted the nominee
up Main st. to the towns only
stop and go" sign, where it turned
left to bring Hoover and his family
to the little frame house under the
naples where Hoover was born.
Eats in His First Home
There in the remodeled dwelling
of Mrs. Jennie Schellers, the nomi-
nee, Mrs. Hoover and their two sons
had breakfast Of ham and eggs.
Afterward they went to the ceme-
terry out on the hillside where Hoo
ver's mother and father, who died
before he. was 10 years old, are
buried.
The morning was spent IN a
reminiscent inspection of old fami-
liar landmarks Of the childhood Of
the nominee-the old swimming
hole of a creek, the spot where his
fathers blacksmith shop stood, Ba-
ker's hill, with its winter toboggan
slide and the old Quaker meeting
house, which since has been turned
into a movie house.
Tall Corn Exhibited
Never did the orphan son of the
village blacksmith in any town come
home in bigger way, even in the
movies.
Harry Avery, Rock Island station
agent, baggage man, telegraph oper-
ator and Western Union messenger,
painted the station and plastered it
with signs, Welcome to our native
SON."
A corn stalk fourteen feet high
was placed in a prominent position.
Mrs. Polly Carson. who used to teach
Hoover and James Thompson, head
Of the reception committee, grasped
Hoover's hand as he stepped from
the train.
They rode with him to the Sell
lers home for breakfast The mayor
was nowhere to be found. A friend
said he had withdrawn in favor of
Thompson, because the affair was
not included in the strict duties of
his official position.
Two Bands at Train
There we're only two bands at
the arrival, the town band in shirt
sleeves and American Legion Band
OF Upton, Iowa, in scarlet and blue.
Six others are expected in town dur
ing the afternoon for the speech,
which the nominee is to deliver to-
night in the circus double tent,
erected in the lot behind the high
school,
Newt Butler was the only man
in town who did not appear to enter
into the spirit of the ceremonies.
He is said to be the only boy who
whipped Hoover in the schoolboy
fistic encounters of forty-five years
ago.
Butler prepared a song, "Good-by
Cal, Hello AL" He is one of the
few Democrats here. The program
was arranged by James Good, head
of the Chicago Republican head
quarters. He arranged for the re-
ception of the Hoover clan. The
party will have luncheon at Mrs. o.
o. Yoder's home.
Points Out Swimming Hole
Good also invited Iowa members
of the national committee, State Of
flcials, county chairmen and other
political leaders to meet Hoover at
the high school during the after
noon. Later a political rally will
be held there, presided over by
Senator Arthur Capper, head of the
farm bloc, and other farm repre-
sentatives, including James r. How
ard, first president of the Farm Bu-
reau.
The nominee had some trouble
finding the swimming hole. He said
he could not remember going swim
ming in the spot which had been
roped off by citizens here. A spot
light also had been placed there, so
visitors could see it at night.
Hoover said he believed the hole
he frequented was under the rail-
road bridge, and he pointed the
place out to the arrangements COM
mittee.
While the candidate and his fam
lily were breakfasting in the birth
place home, Mrs. Sellers, members
Of her family, did rushing busi-
ness at the two concessions stands
set up around the house. She sold
pictures Of Hoover and printed BIZ
ographies.
Hourly Temperatures