Dewey Schley Day

Undated articles.  The original source for first article is unknown; the second article is believed to be from the Madison Times.  Extracted from the newspaper article collection started in 1879 by Mrs. Nannie Brown of Madison, Missouri. 

(Submitter’s note: This celebration was held to celebrate the end of the Spanish-American War.  Rear Admiral George Dewey’s forces destroyed the Spanish fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay/Cavite in the Philippines.  Commodore Schley was the commander of the U.S. Navy’s “Flying Squadron” and later the USS Brooklyn, a key unit in defeat of the Spanish fleet in the Battle of Santiago in Cuba. LPP)

(Unknown) in Attendance and Everyone was Seemingly Happy.

“Madison’s celebration of “Dewey Schley Day,” Aug. 18th, 1898, has passed and gone, but the parade, the speeches, the dinner, the crowd, and the many happy incidents of the occasion have found lodgement in the minds of the people who were present, and it will live in the memory of all as the biggest, best and happiest celebration ever attempted in Monroe county.  The parade attracted much attention and elicited frequent rounds of applause from the multitudes that witnessed it.  It was headed by Higbee’s celebrate band – one of the best in the State and consisted of two floats, one bearing beautiful little girls, the other winsome young ladies, all costumed in pure white, which (motivated) that part of the crowd which were admirers of youth and (beauty) in its purity.

Following the floats came the battleship “Iowa”, with its big (guns) booming forth a welcome to (all).  Next came the Rough Riders (and) Cuban Insurgents, all under the command of Capt. J.R. Chowning and his aides.

The Rough Riders numbered (nearly) an even hundred, and was (made) up principally of young gentlemen of this locality, and of (unknown) the youth and beauty (being) the ladies, were enthusiastic in praise of the gallant and (manly) appearance of each of the Rough Riders.  The Cuban Insurgents were a surprise and the cause of much (unknown) merriment.  They didn’t (look) quite as handsome, gallant (unknown) fortunate as the Rough Riders.  No, not quite, but they all (had) a very favorable degree of (unknown) and applause from the (crowd).

If there was a man, woman or child on the ground who did not get all they wanted to eat, ‘twas their own fault.  Our livery stables were taxed to their utmost capacity.  Farrell & Garnett fed 178, and Frank Brown, 207 head of horses and mules.  J. R. Chowning, Marshal of the day, was said to be the handsomest man on the grounds – Newt Atterbury and Dave Ball were absent when the remark was made.  Huse Matthews and Sam Lehman, popular wet-goods dispensers of Moberly, were here taking in the sights, shaking hands with old friends and making new ones.  Col. Henry Newman was the general favorite.  It was remarked that hades itself would become a popular summer resort if the Colonel was there to drive full care away.

Editor Blanton, of the Appeal, and Alexander, of the Mercury, took in the beauties of a big celebration in the afternoon, and no doubt went home well pleased with their visit.  Of course Drs. W.A. Hulen and H.L. Lightner could not stay away.  They think too much of Madison, and Madison too much of them to let an occasion like this slip without getting together.  Joe Atterbury, Dr. Gillaspie, Orville Chowning, Dr. Dunaway, and Karl Pfeffer, Aids to Commander J.R. Chowning of the Rough Riders, were just too cute for anything.  So said the ladies.  Prof. W.C. Williams, Principal of the Montgomery City Public Schools, who for a number of years filled a like position in Madison spent the day pleasantly (talking) over old times and future (… unable to read rest of line).”

(Unable to read title and first few lines of second article…) Col. H.A. Newman, Jar. R.B. Bristow, and Hon. James H. Whitecotton, entertained them with splendid addresses, and each received much praise for the masterly manner in which they handled the live issues now before the people of this country.

The crowd has been variously estimated at from 3,500 to 7,000 people, but being more than pleased with the number present, no matter what it was, the Times makes no estimate of it.  Suffice it to say that it was the largest, most orderly, best looking and best dressed and most enthusiastic assembly of people, ever gotten together at one time in this part of the moral vineyard.  There was no drunkenness, no fights, no accidents or misfortunes to mar the enjoyments of the occasion, and we have yet to hear of a single complaint from any source. Many of the people thought that the Barbecue would exist only on the program, and to guard against going hungry, brought well-filled baskets, but they found the Barbecue a fact, and plenty to eat for all who went up to the tables, and (unknown) abundance left after all had (been) satisfied.

(Another) Dewey-Schley celebration (in) Madison has again placed her reputation for genuine (whole-scheduled) hospitality in the front (unknown) of Missouri towns and (consecutively) proves that our citizens (are) wide-awake, enterprising and (up-to-date), and know how to entertain their guests handsomely.  (Unable to read next few lines…) Garvis, came over to mingle with friends and draw fresh inspiration and business.

L.K. Richardson, the big, brainy and busy shoe man, of Moberly, whose adv. Greets Times readers each week, and who enjoys the confidence and esteem of all of them, was with us.  He has more friends in the West End of Monroe county than any man in Moberly, and of course, he was kept busy all day shaking hands and saying ‘howdy.’  ‘Buck’ Kelly, the genial editor of the Moberly Monitor, was here shaking hands with everybody.  ‘Buck’ and his Monitor are known all over Grand Old Missouri, but in no particular spot, better than in Monroe county.  In the Daily Monitor of last Friday, he gives (a) good write-up of the day, and speaks very kindly of many of our people, and his friends, all of which is duly appreciated by Madison people, and will result in dollars for the Monitor.

Chief of Police, Quayle, came in on the noon train, but found everybody so happy and is such a good humor, that he didn’t stay long, but hurried back to Moberly to tell his people what a delightful time Madison was having.  He is one of the best plice officers in the State, none excepted.  He is full of life and energy, kind, courteous and as brave as a lion, and he numbers his friends by the tens of thousands, and many of them live right here in Madison.  We were sorry he didn’t stay longer.”

 

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 Kathleen Wilham

2 Sharon Drive

Shelbina, MO. 63468-1562