Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 August 1907 — BIG DAY AT FOUNTAIN PARK. [ARTICLE]

BIG DAY AT FOUNTAIN PARK.

Hon. W. J., Bryan Greeted By Large And Attentive Audience Wednesday. While the previous bad weather made the farmers feel that every pleasant hour must be taken advantage of, and therefore they could not drop threshing to hear W. J. Bryan at Fountain Park Wednesday, yet there was a larger attendance from the towns than three years ago when he spoke there, and the crowd was probably about the same size as then. His addresß, “The Old World and Its Ways,” was very instructive, and he held the closest attention of the large audience during the hour and a half he spoke. Mr. Parker had invited the democratic editors of the district to be present and take dinner with Mr. Bryan and occupy seats of honor on the platform during the address, and in addition to nearly all such editors there were quite a number of prominent democrats from over tbe state present to meet the distinguished Nebraskan and confer with him on of political nature. Among this number were Hon. John W. Kern of Indianapolis, U, S. Jackson of Greenfield, District Chairman J. K. Risk, Thos. J. Barnes, president of tbe Jackson Club, Hon. John Ross and Mr. Wagner of Lafayette. These gentlemen, together with E. P. Honan of Rensselaer and editors Simons of the White County Democrat, Robey of the Benton Review, Steinbach of the Kentland Demoorat, and Babcock of The Jasper County Demoorat, partook of the excellent dinner at a special table at the Park hotel with Mr. Bryan. Editors J. B. Faulkner of the Michigan City Dispatch and H. B. Darling of the LaPctrte Argus-Bulletin did not a|rive until on the special train from the east, and were too late to dine with the party.» The speaker was introduced in a few well chosen words by Mr. E. P. Honan of Rensselaer, who with the writer and editor Steinbaugb had the honor of driving to the gronds with Mr. Bryan. The address was purely non-po-litical but was deeply interesting and instructive, and gave few opportunities for flights of oratory for whioh Mr. Brypn is famous. Yet tbe enthusiasm with whioh be was greeted when he appeared on the platform and the wrapt attention with which the large audience listened to the lecture left no doubt as to his power to oommand his listeners ana sway them with the powers of his personal magnetism. ~ “ • ~ : ■ ■ Hundreds of admirers of both parties greeted Mr. Bryan before the address, as he conversed with friends on the hotel veranda. Alfiost immediately after the lecture e was driven baok to town where he took the special excursion train to Reynolds, there to take the Monon, train for Chicago, from whence he went to some point in lowa where he leotnred Thursday. He informed the writer that be had not been home for six weeks, praotically all this time being taken sup with Chautauqua lectures. The Democratic editors of the district owe Snpt. Parker a generous vote of thanks for the courtesies extended them, and he oan rest assured that they will not soon forget them.