Bryan Gets A Royal Good Reception

BRYAN GETS A ROYAL GOOD RECEPTION.

Many People Attend From Long Distances to Shake the Hand of the Distinguished American.

MET AT THE DEPOT BY THE UNIVERSITY BAND

And Escorted Up Town and to Walter C. Mack's House for Dinner.

A Long Line of People Shake Hands With Him This Afternoon.-He Missed None and Again Exhibited His Great Personal Magnetism.-A Big Crowd Will Meet Him at University Hall This Evening.

When a distinguished man comes to Ann Arbor he is sure of a royal welcome. This was the case with ex-President Grover Cleveland, Hon. William McKinley and Saturday another royal welcome was accorded to Hon. William Jennings Bryan. The Michigan Central depot is an ideal place to receive a guest, being faced by the high ground. This was nearly covered with enthusiastic students and townsmen. The hacks at the front door which were to carry the party to their quarters in the city were gaily decorated with American flags. The U. of M. Band was stationed at the right of the depot. The whole scene was one that brought back the recollections of the other times when great Americans stepped out of the Michigan Central depot for the purpose of giving the students the privilege of hearing and studying their views. When the train pulled in the crowd on the depot platform was great. The band struck up and the vivas of the crowd rose to the skies as Mr. Bryan was discovered. As he stepped from the car Chairman M. J. Cavanaugh warmly grasped him by the hand and bid Mr. Bryan welcome to Ann Arbor, and then hastily introduced the members of the committee, Profs. E. F. Johnson, Trueblood and others. Marshal Sweet had to make a passage for the party as every one wanted the privilege of taking Mr. Bryan by the hand. Mr. Bryan looks a trifle older than when he last visited Ann Arbor. He is, however, stouter than formery showing that the world had used him well. His clear cut scholarly features were wreathed in smiles, as he no doubt felt that whatever might be the opinions and beliefs of the crowd, they proposed to give him a cordial hearty welcome to Ann Arbor, to make him feel at home in the midst, showing him one of the grandest characteristics of the American character, that on all social occasions, all party rancor is laid aside, and the man is honored for his ability and character. With difficulty the carriages were reached. There were many cries of "a speech" "a speech," but of course under the circumstances it was impossible for him to respond. The band struck up and the procession started. In the first carriage were Hon. William Jennings Bryan, M. J. Cavanaugh, Mr. Mulholland, president of the Good Government club, Walter C. Mack. Then followed in the other carriages, Hon. A. J. Sawyer, Prof. E. F. Johnson, Hon. Charles A. Ward, T. A. Bogle, Eugene Helber, Arthur Brown, T. D. Kearney, Judge Babbitt, Judge Kinne, Major Kirk, Tracy L. Towner, W. W. Wedemeyer, Prof. Trueblood, who was a classmate of Mr. Bryan, L. J. Lisemer, Seward Cramer, Judge Newkirk, John Koch, William Herz, D. A. Hammond, and others. The procession was led by the university band. It followed the street car track to Main st. and down Main to William, east to State, where it disbanded in front of the university, Mr. Bryan being driven to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Mack, corner of Twelfth and Hill sts. The great crowd, which surged about the procession through the march was full of the greatest good nature and the large body of students had their enthusiasm with them as usual. At one o'clock an elaborate dinner was served, the guests being Hon. W. J. Bryan, Hon. Justin R. Whiting, Christian Mack, Prof. E. F. Johnson, Prof. T. C. Trueblood, Mr. Mulholland, of the Good Government club, M. J. Cavanaugh, W. W. Wedemeyer and D. A. Hammond. Mr. Bryan is a delightful conversationalist and possesses that easy grace of manner which makes everybody feel as perfectly at home as though in the presence of a lifelong acquaintance. He is witty and an adept at repartee and possesses a great fund of anecdotes and appropriate stories for illustrating points. So delightfully was the hour and a half passed that it seemed but a few minutes. But loud and insistent calls from the court house reminded the guest of honor that the hour was now at hand when he was due there. Carriages were in waiting and Mr. Bryan was driven to the court house where he found an immense and impatient crowd awaiting to grasp him by the hand.

In the morning the clouds seemed lowering, the sun only for a moment appearing through the clouds. In the afternoon, just at the time appointed for the reception in the court house the sun broke through the clouds. It was a most happy omen for the day. The court house had been decorated very prettily for the occasion. The colors of the principle nations hung from the corners of the rotunda. Gay streamers broke the sharp outlines of the walls. The east and west entrances were surmounted with colored streamers and rosettes. Altogether the decorations were simple and pretty.

Before the stated hour was reached a thousand citizens were standing at the east door of the court house, awaiting the arrival of Col. Bryan. They were a patient, good natured crowd, who were there for a purpose and that to shake hands with the illustrious guest. The U. of M. band discoursed music which helped to enliven the time of the waiting people. It was 2:30 before the carriage arrived with Col. Bryan and party. They took up their position on the north side of the court house. On Col. Bryan's left stood M. J. Cavanaugh, chairman of the committee, and on his right Prof. E. F. Johnson. Then the people commenced to come. It was a most creditable, representative procession. Representive citizens of all classes and political affiliations were here.Col. Bryan showed great tact and thoughtfulness. Not a man, woman, boy or little tot was missed. He had a pleasant smile and a hand shake for everyone. His genial, hearty manner and personal magnetism could not help but impress everyone privileged to be there It is estimated that over 5,000 people attended the reception.. The committee on arrangements deserve great credit for the way everything passed off. A very large crowd of people from the adjoining towns and country were in the city.