Transcribed from the Bryan (Texas) Weekly Eagle, April 6, 1905
PRESIDENT IN TEXAS
Dallas Thronged to Welcome Chief Executive of Nation.
SEES BUSINESS PART
Thousands of Persons Cheer the Chief Executive, and He Makes Open-Air Address and Tendered Grand Banquet.
Dallas, April 5 – For the first time in the history of the city of Dallas the city has been honored by a visit from a chief executive of the nation, which event occurred this afternoon.
At 6:30 o’clock the train conveying President Roosevelt and party rolled in over the Houston and Texas Central railway. As soon as the chief executive stepped on the ground preparatory to entering a carriage the Fourth Regiment band rendered “Hail to the Chief” and a salute of twenty-one guns was fired by the Dallas artillery company. The immense multitude at the union depot gave a tremendous cheer.
Headed by the chief and a platoon of police mounted on white horses and preceded by the Fourth Regiment band a parade was formed in the following order.
Colonel P. C. Townsend, commanding military escort.
Hillsboro Company (Capt. Jackson).
Terrell Company (Capt. Irwin).
Earnest Rifles (Capt. Marten).
Scurry Guards (Capt. Williams).
Greenville Company (Capt. Harkness).
Major Roach. commanding Cadets.
Carlisle Cadets.
St. Matthew’s Cadets.
Dallas Artillery.
Major L. S. Flateau, commanding presidential bodyguard.
Then came eight carriages, as follows:
First Carriage – The president, William Loeb, Jr. the president’s private secretary; Mayor Barry and Colonel John N. Simpson.
Second Carriage – Dr. Alexander Lambert, physician to the president; M. C., Latta, stenographer; James Sloan, Jr. Associated Press; F. H. Tyres, Associated Press.
Third Carriage – Gen. S. M. B. Young, United States Army (retired); John V. Hughes, president Dallas Commercial club; William H. Atwell, United States district attorney; Colonel John H. Traylor, representing the United Confederate Veterans.
Fourth Carriage – Lieutenant G. R. Fortesque, aide to the president; Colonel Cecil A. Lyon, Colonel John L. Boyd, representing the Grand Army of the Republic; C. A. Mangold.
Fifth Carriage – A. A. Allen, general manager Missouri, Kansas and Texas railway, Sloan Simpson, J. Howard Ardrey, president 150,000 club; C. A. Keating.
Sixth Carriage – J. L. McGrew, stenographer, Jackson S. Elliott, representing the Associated Press; W. C. Connor, J. E. Farnsworth.
Seventh Carriage – J. G. Thompson, representing Publishers and Scripps-McRae Press associations; Mr. Monk, representing New York Sun Press association; H. A. Strohmeyer, photographer, M. H. Thomas.
Eighth Carriage – W. G. Sterrett, representing the Galveston-Dallas News; C. Arthur Williams, representing the Houston Post; R. Leibman, Sam P. Cochran.
The presidential carriage was drawn by a pair of fine black horses, and on either side was the guard of honor, composed of Majors L. S. Flateau, C. C. Marshall, M. L. Buckner, Capts. F. A. Logan, Scurry Terrell, William H. Flippen, Roy Terrell and Lieutenant Joe Rankin.
On the outer flanks of the body guard and at points opposite the four wheels of the carriage marched Patrolmen McDougall, Brannon and Frank and Dan Brown, the four largest policemen on the force. The parade passed over Elm street west to Houston, on Houston south to Main, on Main east to Akard, and on Akard south to the speaker’s stand east of the Oriental hotel.
Sidewalks and buildings along the route were thronged and the latter decorated with the national colors and flags. The president was kept busy dipping his hat in response to the cheers, a veritable wave of enthusiasm permeating the clear atmosphere. No vehicles were permitted to move during the parade, not even street cars.
When the chief executive was introduced by Mayor Barry, he beheld the largest gathering ever witnessed in this city. Handkerchiefs, hats and flags were waved and the air pierced with applause, the Texas yell being often heard. There were sixteen rows of 700 electric lights and they spread a brilliant hue on the scene. On the stand were seated 300 persons, but on the streets there was not standing room, so great was the throng. Ex-Confederate and Federal soldiers had reserved seats.
The chief executive was given an attentive hearing and his remarks were liberally punctuated with applause. His complimentary reference to the Lone Star State evoked a tremendous demonstration of enthusiasm.
After leaving the stand President Roosevelt retired to his apartments in the Oriental hotel, where he rested an hour and fifteen minutes, after which he repaired to the banquet, held in the hotel dining room. Besides the presidential party covers were laid for 300 persons, 150 of them from various sections of the state and the others citizens of Dallas.
There were eight tables and the menu was the most elaborate ever served, perhaps, in this city. The banquet began with an invocation by Rt. Rev. A. C. Garrett, Episcopal bishop of the diocese of Dallas.
Following the dinner Sloan Simpson, master of ceremonies, who was a Roosevelt Rough Rider and at San Juan Hill, introduced the president, who responded to the toast, “The President of the United States,” in a few happy remarks.
The next speaker was Hon. George N. Aldredge of Dallas, who responded in a brilliant and witty speech to the toast, “Our Guest.”
The next speaker was United States District Attorney Atwell, who in appropriate language presented the president, in behalf of the citizens of Dallas, with a loving cup. The recipient expressed his thanks. The cup is said to be one of the largest and most elaborate samples of its kind ever given in Texas. It is of solid silver, lined with gold, and stands twenty-one inches high above an ebony base. On one side it bears the coat of arms of the state – a large five-pointed star surrounded by a wreath, with the word “Texas” engraved between the points. Rays and cross-rays of the star are delicately wrought in silver. On another side are engraved the words, “Presented to President Theodore Roosevelt by the Citizens of Dallas, April 5, 1905,” and on the third are the words, “President of All the People – One Who Believes in a Square Deal for Every Man.”
After bidding the diners farewell the president retired for the night to enjoy well earned repose.
Trains arriving from every direction were crowded and the railroad people had their hands full.
Party leaves tomorrow morning via Katy for Waco.
