Evening star., 1930-06-22
V|RG|N|ANS THRONG
TO WELCOME BYRD
Thousands Line Richmond
Streets to Honor Explorers
on Return Home.

By the Associated Press.
RICHMOND, va, June 2i.-"Dick''
Byrd came back to old Virginia today
to receive the welcome of a conquering
hero and q native son.
Thousands of Virgtnians, their pulses
quickened with the peculiar pride of
fellow citizens, cheered and shouted
themselves hoarse as the man who con-
quered the icy coldneSs of the polar
skies stepped upon the soil of his ma
tive State. Through solid walls of eager
friends and citizens Rear Admiral
Richard Evelyn Byrd rode in triumph
and acknowledged the tumultuous
greeting with salutes and modest bows.
Guns Of the Richmond Howitzers
doomed an admiral's salute.
ut was wonderful, and it's great to
be back in Virginia" Admiral Byrd
said, as he arrived at the executive
mansion for an oficial reception by
The entrance of the admiral into the
concourse at the Broad Street Station
was the signal for an outburst of cheer
ing that continued In unbroken din
until he passed out to a waiting auto
mobile, where other thousands, unable
to enter the station, took up the cheer
ing Through the tumult could be
heard the cry Hello, Dick!" AS some
personal friend sought to break through
the cheering with personal greeting.
Richmond Blues Lead.
The solid ,phalanx started as the ad-
miral, bronzed and smiling, waved q
greeting TO the crowd. Along streets
gay with flags, streamers and bunting
the admirars automobile wound its way
to Capitol Square and the executive
mansion. Here he passed into the his
toric building to pay his compliments
to the governor and receive an offlcial
welcome from the State and city.
With the Richmond Light Infantry
Blues, a famous regiment and his escort
in New York, leading the way, Admiral
Byrd once more rode through the mill
ing thousands to lay a wreath on the
monument of another great Virginian
ands explorer, Matthew Fontane Maury
pathfinder Of the seas" Here he re-
viewed his escort-Virginians all--while
thousands of admirers joined in the
greatest ovation ever given a son of the
Old Dominion
Tired but happy, the admiral retired
after the ceremony TO Laburnum
home of John Stewart Bryan, who was
also his host after his North Pole
flight, for a dinner with his immediate
family before accepting a sword ol
honor, wrought in gold and silver, as
the gift of his native State.
Sun Shines on Scene.
The man who thrilled the world with
his daring, courage and resource, was
himself thrilled by the welcome he re-
ceived. With him were his mother
Mrs. Richard Evelyn Byrd; his wife
Mrs. Marie Byrd; Mrs Harry Flood
Byrd and his brothers, Harry and Tom
Warm sunshine flooded the broac
stretches of Monument avenue, hedgec
by green trees, as the conqueror Of
polar wastes and the North Atlantic
rode down the street dotted with bronze
figures of other famous Virginians or
his way to the Maury Monument.
Admitting fatigue and inconvenience
from the sultry weather, Admiral Byrc
discussed his great flight over the pole
briefly after the ceremony. The fla(
OF Virginia aboard the Floyd Bennett
on the epochal fight will take its place
beside the State flag taken on the North
Pole flight in the State Capitol, he said
Admiral Byrd said the heat of the
tropics and the warm June days in the
United States were somewhat trying
He will be rejoined by his Antarctic
companions after visiting his home in
Winchester tomorrow, and after a briei
tour he will 60 to the New Hampshire
mountains for q rest and then more
work.
Asked If his statement in 1925 that he
would devote the next 10 years to ex-
ploration represented his intentions to-
day, he said: You've got me there. 1
must finish up with this expedition be-
fore another Is planned. There are four
scientific books and one narrative vol
ume that will keep me busy"