Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell

THE MARLIN DEMOCRAT
Eighteenth Year - Number 39
Marlin, Texas, Saturday, October 5, 1907


PRESIDENT FETED IN ST. LOUIS.
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Travels by Steamer--Day Spent In
Mound City.
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       St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 2:--For the first time within the memory of the present generation a Chief Executive of the nation arrived in the Mound City by steamboat and departed from the city in the same manner.  President Theodore Roosevelt, on board the steamboat Mississippi from Keokuk, reached St. Louis shortly after 9 o'clock this morning.  Accompanying him on another craft were the members of the Inland Waterways Commission.
       The president found St. Louis awaiting his arrival in gala attire.  Steamboats and other craft gayly bedecked with flags filled the river.  Not since the palmy days before the war has St. Louis seen so many steamboats at one time.  They came from Evansville, Cairo, Alton, Kansas City, Keokuk and other river points and brought delegations of business men and others desirous of impressing upon the president and the members of the waterways commission the importance of the river traffic and the urgent necessity for improvements in the Mississippi and its chief tributaries.  As the President's boat came into sight it was greeted with deafening shrieks from the steamboat whistles, which were echoed by the cheers of the thousands of people who lined the river front and occupied positions of vantage on the wharfs and on the two great bridges spanning the Mississippi here.
       It was a distinguished assemblage that greeted the president when he landed near the foot of Locust street.  Included among those present were the governors of more than twenty states, members of Congress, the mayor and other representatives of the city of St. Louis and a reception committee of the Business Men's League, which had the general arrangements in charge.
       After the exchange of courtesies the president and his party were taken in carriages to the Jai Alai building, where he delivered his address.  The route lay through Washington avenue, Twelfth street, Pine street, Grand avenue, Lindell boulevard adn other leading thoroughfares.  Flags were flying from every staff in the downtown section and the city was bright with bunting.  Pictures of President Roosevelt greeted the eye at every turn.  Crowds lined the streets, anxious for a glimpse at the Chief Magistrate and his appearance was always the signal for tumultuous cheers.
       After the exercises at the Jai Alai building the president was escorted to the Jefferson Hotel where he was entertained at luncheon.  Covers were laid for 400 and among the guests were the visiting governors and numerous other persons of note.  From the hotel the presidential party proceeded at once to the wharf to re-embark on the Mississippi.  The departure was the signal for another great river demonstration similar to that which had greeted the President's arrival in the morning.  Scores of boats will accompany the President's boat down the river as far as Cairo, which is to be the next stopping point and which city will be reached according to schedule at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.

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