[OSCEOLA, PENNSYLVANIA, SEPTEMBER 20.]
During the stay of the President and his family at Cresson Springs in September, 1890, they made an excursion through the celebrated Clearfield coal regions, under the guidance of Frank L. Sheppard, General Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Geo. W. Boyd, Ass't Gen'l Passenger Agent, Gen. D. H. Hastings, and S. S. Blair. The party comprised the President and Mrs. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. McKee, Mrs. Dimmick, and Miss Alice Sanger, accompanied by Hon. John Patton, of Curwensville, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Dill, of Clearfield, and F. N. Barksdale.
The first point visited was Osceola, where 5,000 people tendered the President a rousing reception. The Committee of Reception were Geo. M. Brisbin, D. R. Good, R. J. Walker, T. C. Heims, and J. R. Paisley. The veterans of McLarren Post, G. A. R., acted as an escort through the town from one depot to the other. The President briefly thanked the veterans and citizens for extending him such a cordial reception.
[HOUTZDALE, PENNSYLVANIA, SEPTEMBER 20.]
Arrived at Houtzdale, about noon Saturday, the President and his party were welcomed by an assemblage numbering fully 10,000. They were met at Osceola by an escort committee consisting of G. W. Dickey, Abe Feldman, Julius Viebahn, Thos. Rolands, B. W. Hess, W. E. Meek, W. C. Davis, W. B. Hamilton, J. V. Henderson, J. B. McGrath, James White, D. W. Smith, John Charlton, W. H. Patterson, and Thomas Byers.
All work in the mines and stores was suspended for the day, and the visit of the Chief Magistrate was celebrated with a grand parade and demonstration directed by Chief Burgess John Argyle, aided by the G. A. R. veterans. The President was received by the following committee of prominent citizens: W. Irvin Shaw, Esq., of the Clearfield County Bar; W. C. Langsford, Alex. Monteith, John F. Farrell, Geo. P. Jones, Joseph Delehunt, Harry Roach, Ad. Hanson, S. T. Henderson, R. R. Fleming, and E. J. Duffy. The veterans of Wm. H. Kinkead Post acted as a guard of honor to the President during the parade.
A notable incident of the demonstration was the reception by the children of the parochial school. After the parade the formal reception of the distinguished visitors took place in the presence of the great assemblage. John F. Farrell presided, and introduced Chairman W. I. Shaw, who delivered an eloquent address of welcome on behalf of the citizens.
President Harrison responded as follows:
My Fellow-citizens—I beg to assure you that I very highly appreciate your cordial welcome. I did not need the assurance of him who has spoken in your name that we are welcome in this home of profit and industry. As I have passed along the streets, and as I now look into your eyes, I have read welcome in every face. I do not regard this greeting as personal. How can it be, since you look into my face as I into yours for the first time? I assume that in this demonstration you are evidencing your loyalty and fidelity to the Government of which we are all citizens.