[NORTONVILLE, KANSAS, OCTOBER 10.]
At Nortonville the citizens, and especially the school children, turned out en masse and gave the President the heartiest of welcomes. Among the prominent residents who participated in the greeting were Hon. A. J. Perry, S. P. Griffin, Thomas Eckles, C. C. McCarthy, Dr. D. T. Brown, L. P. King, D. A. Ellsworth, O. U. Babcock, Dr. R. D. Webb, J. G. Roberts, W. T. Eckles, Harry Ellison, Rev. T. Hood, and M. Crowberger. On behalf of the school children a little girl climbed the steps and presented the Chief Magistrate with an armful of beautiful bouquets, for which she received a hearty kiss.
Governor Humphrey introduced the President, who spoke as follows:
My Fellow-citizens—This brief stop forbids that I should say anything more than thank you and to extend to you all my most friendly greeting. The sky is overcast, but in this assemblage of your school children, with flags and flowers, and in this gathering of the sturdy men who have made Kansas great among States, there are suggestions that spread a sky of beauty and hope above our country and its destiny. It gives me great pleasure to make this first visit to Kansas. It gives me great pleasure to see both at Atchison and here the interest which the presence of these children shows you take in public education. There are many here who in their early days experienced the hardships and privations of pioneer life. The avenues of learning were shut against them, but it is much to their credit that what they lacked in early life, the impediments which have burdened their careers, they have bravely resolved shall not burden their children. I thank you again for this pleasant reception, and I bid you good-by, as we proceed on our journey.
[VALLEY FALLS, KANSAS, OCTOBER 10.]
At Valley Falls, Kan., another large crowd was assembled. The President was welcomed by Mayor A. D. Kendall, Dr. A. M. Cowan, R. H. Crosby, M. M. Maxwell, Dr. Frank Swallow, Mrs. J. H. Murry, Miss L. M. Ring, and other prominent residents. Mrs. Dr. Cowan, on behalf of the ladies, presented General Harrison with a basket of flowers.
In response to the enthusiastic greetings the President said:
My Friends—I thank you sincerely for this cordial reception. I will not attempt any speech further than to say that this greeting puts me, if possible, under still stronger obligations in every official duty that devolves upon me to consult the interests of the people and do that which seems to be most promotive of public good. [Cheers.]