Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1906 — WELCOME TO BRYAN. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WELCOME TO BRYAN.

DEMOCRATIC LEADER RECEIVED ENTHUSIASTICALLY. Graded Tilth Noise and Cordiality O* Hi'typ* Tram Hi* ’Honnd-the-World Tour—New York Bay Hel»«»4» nith I nroar n* Ship Land* wr—- —»; I'll '« ... e-j--New Y'ork 1 correspondence ; William J. Bryan is home again. Bronzed by travel by land autT sea, for a ctiinji-tjgm he llterally fell Into tlie arms of lmzzahing buudreds of Ids fellow countrymen whep the steamship Briuzess Irene, end;ty afternoon. A band oik,one welcoming tugs plttyed “Hands Across the Stht,” whistles and sifCHS screeched and Inmans slionted. All tliis was pfe-v “paratory t., the big demonstration to take place ::t Madison Square Garden Thursday when thousands of Itctnocrats frotn ait over tFu- country gatlxn’ed G. pay t»icir the grerft - •■ " a> '. ' Clashes between rival xfbleoming eoUtllijbV'.. yalLijj.jSed respyet iycly "f the New York “plan and scope'* orgatt dzatiori ams the XeStraska “Imine folks,” each, of which was determined to take possession 'nf the -returning leader, were happily averted bv the action <>f Mr. Brvtta -fi’mseif when the I’rinze.ss Irene reaeiied quhfnmlin?. instea'd of fhonsillg bi *{ yveen flip yacht of Ids friend, Mt. Goltra of St. 1/niis. with the local Committee nil bohrti. and the geiVcfraia nt tug bearing flic people Of hl.s own State, Mr. Bryan elected IP. spend the. night on laud. 'ihe scene dowtt the bay as tlte I’rintile to aitelow in qnaranrliTm~estTtb'.lslie‘.l it nreeedeiil: as a colebration (if -1 be homc-edailng -of- a' iilainAmerican citizen.. The news that the steamer bearing Mr. Bryan -hud been sighted off Fire island just before noon, and tha't -she. >yonld be at anchor "Tor" tlie"fog tha 1 medical iiiipection by 3 o’clock, was the signal for a wild rush of specially chartered boats and pleasure craft down the harbor. The lowering skies and frequent rain squalls served to keep many away, but

those who were not. deterred by the adverse weather conditions gave an enthusiastic spirit to. the reception. The “home folks" were the most enthusiastic of all. On two big tugboats which journeyed down the bay side by side they went to welcome their distinguished neighbor. There was a broad smile on Mr. Bryan's face as he spied the foremost of the Nebraska tugs, and a broader one when-he sawHils old friend. Mayor “Jim” Dahlman of Omaha, standing on the “niggerliead” of the tug, rope in hand, ready to hurl it about the head of Mr. Bryan if he refused-to come peacefully aboard the craft. —. Mayor Dahlman, who was for years a sheriff in Dawes County, Nebraska, when sheriffs wore two revolvers and carried a cutlass and a “billy,” but who had himself elected mayor of Omaha on an “open town” platform, headed the delegation, but with him were many prominent men in Nebraska business and professional circles and others known throughout the State for their oratory and political records. On spying Mayor Dahlman Mr. Bryan laughed heartily; shook his head at the coil of rope which the “cowboy” mayor held In his hand, and said: "I guess you’re going tb get me, Jim.” "You’re right we are, Will. We’ve conie a long way and we won’t leave without you." “You won't have to,” replied Mr. Bryan. With tumultuous cheers the Nebraskans pulled up alongside the after gaugway of the big steamer and called their greetings to Mr. Bryan, who stood on the deck just above them and smiled and waved his hat. Big boxes of flowers were tqssed on board for Mrs. Bryan. Then the Nebraska State flag was flung to the breeze and the cheering was renewed. Usually indifferent to all situations, Mr. Bryan displayed mueh emotion when the two tugs, hearing friends and ueightyrs who had traveled more than 1.500 miles to greet him, ranged alongsitle-the Prinzes* 1 rener-with -flags flying, whistles tooting and crowds singing old-home melbdies, and he spent a half hour among them, shaking bauds and ashing in an earnest manner about their wives and children, about “the. folk* ftrrws the- eteoef' and the political situations iu tire various sections of the State, Mr. Bryan talked to his friends frdely about his trip, which, he said, had been, one continuous round of enjoyment and Instruction. Songs were sung and the cheering was taken up. time and again, while Mr. Bryan was going through the necessary formalities of the customs inspection laws.

WILLIAM J. BRYAN.