At an early hour before the gates of the exposition were opened, thousands of visitors had made their way by every possible means of conveyance to the exposition grounds. It was early seen that the admissions department of the exposition would be put to the test to promptly pass through the gates the immense throngs which would on this day attend. Street cars, railway trains, carriages, and every possible means of conveyance were taxed to their utmost to carry the crowds to the exposition grounds.
The 2nd Nebraska Regiment had been specially invited and were present to assist the exposition guards in the preservation of order on the grounds. This regiment was drawn up in two solid lines reaching from the entrance to the Bluff Tract to the Grand Stand, forming a passage-way through the immense crowds that filled the grounds. At 10:30 the distinguished guests in carriages in the order of the evening before, arrived at the grounds and were admitted and passed through the crowd between the lines of soldiers to the grand stand on the plaza, where the exercises of the day were to be held. In front of the grand stand, reaching westward to the viaduct, and on all sides was gathered an audience such as will probably never again be seen within this city. It has been estimated that this audience numbered 70,000 people. The exercises of the day consisted of the following program:
Music . . . Innes Band.
Invocation . . . Rev. John McQuoid
Address . . . . President
Gurdon W. Wattles
Address . . . . President
William McKinley
Music . . . Innes Band
Address . . . . Post Master General
Charles Emory Smith
Music . . . Innes Band.
At the close of the speaking an informal reception was held and congratulations were extended to the president by the exposition officials and other prominent guests on the platform. A great cheer went up from the immense audience but President McKinley, with his usual thoughtfulness for others, suggested to President Wattles that the crowds were cheering for General Miles and other distinguished officers who had not participated in the program, and at his suggestion General Miles, the members of his cabinet, and others, were called out and introduced to the enthusiastic throng, in order that they, his associates, might share the honors that he said were due to them as much as to himself.
His delicate thoughtfulness for the pleasure of others was again illustrated when he handed to President Wattles the original manuscript from which he had read his address, as a souvenir of the occasion.
The program of the day had been arranged with the special plan of allowing as many of those on the grounds as possible the privilege of seeing the president at short range. The soldiers of the 2nd Regiment were formed in two lines around the grand court, through the center aisle of each of the main buildings, and after the luncheon was over the President, escorted by President Wattles and followed by the other officials in their order, marched between these lines of soldiers completely around the grand court, stopping at the government building in which it had been planned to hold a public reception. The government commission had admitted several hundred prominent officials and citizens by card, and after these had been presented to the president soon became evident that it would be impracticable to admit the general public to this reception, as the president was already weary with hand-shaking. This feature of the program was therefore abandoned and the party proceeded on their way to the rooms of the bureau of entertainment in the mines and mining building where a short rest was enjoyed while they awaited the arrival of the ladies from the Club.
Thousands of women delegates to the Transmississippi Congress of
the
Federation of Women's Clubs had congregated and by special appointment
President McKinley and President Wattles visited for a few moments this
gathering of the representative women of the west. President McKinley was
introduced and spoke a few words of encouragement to this audience.
Carriages were then taken and the guests were conveyed through the
Midway and
over the North Viaduct to the Indian Encampment. Here the Great Father was
welcomed by the Indian Tribe with an enthusiasm and in a manner never
to be
forgotten. A grand parade of the many tribes bedecked in costumes peculiar
to their customs was lead past the reviewing stand by Captain Mercer,
who had
charge of the Indian Congress.
Next a sham battle of Indian braves was enacted, which was made so realistic that it almost seemed to be a re-enactment of one of the bloody battles which had taken place in earlier times. This display of savage life was much enjoyed by the President and all who witnessed it, and at its conclusion many of the Indians gathered near the exit of the reviewing stand to see and if might be, speak with the Great Father, who they regarded with awe, as he came among them. The President insisted on discharging the carriages and walking back to the Cafe where dinner was to be served. The way led past the live stock exhibits, and many of the finest animals of this exhibit were displayed with great pride by their owners to the President as he passed. The gay throngs on the Midway cheered him, the old soldiers called his name in endearing terms, and the journey was one of interest and pleasure, with no single word of discourtesy to mar a day filled with many pleasant events.
... the guests repaired to their carriages and were driven around the court of honor and to the grounds set aside for fireworks on the north tract. A magnificent display had been specially prepared for this occasion, and it was greatly enjoyed by the tens of thousands who witnessed it. The carriages then conveyed the distinguished guests to the Omaha Club and thus closed President's Day at the Exposition.
The President had planned to leave the city for St. Louis, early the next morning, and without ceremony he was escorted to the depot. A large number had gathered there to see him once more and say "Goodby". Before leaving the Club he had written General Manderson a note as follows:
"Dear General Manderson:
Before I go, permit me to thank you. My visit to Omaha has
been
of uncommon interest and pleasure.
Goodbye,
William McKinley."
The President expressed to President Wattles his appreciation of
the
splendid manner in which he had been entertained. He said:
"I want to congratulate Omaha on the splendid management of every
detail of my reception, which was carried out most satisfactorily and
in the
best way possible."
As the train was about to start, he responded to the cheers of the crowds gathered about his car as follows:
"I thank you more than words can tell for your many kindnesses to me during my visit to your city and your magnificent exposition. My visit to Omaha and to the Transmississippi is one that I shall long remember with the kindliest recollections. What has pleased me more than anything else on my entire trip is to witness the exhibitions of patriotism throughout the country. I am glad to see that in Nebraska, as through the whole land, the people ever love good government and dearly/love the old flag. It is very hard for me to say goodby to Omaha; you have all made my trip so delightful. But I must say goodby now, as the train is about to leave. Again I thank you."