540 Chronicles of the Cape Fear wer

frst and most violent shock was claimed to have lasted forty-
five seconds, followed by two more at short intervals, and others
at one o’clock, four o’clock, and eight-thirty the next morning
(September 1). The Review of September 2, 1886, reported
shocks after the above, occurring at 5.12 p. m. and about mid-

night of the 1st of September.
The terrible disaster to Charleston cast a deep gloom over our

citizens, and generous assistance was immediately organized in
the form of a contribution, and a relief committee composed of
a number of prominent people was dispatched to the stricken

city as soon as the journey could be made.

THE VISIT OF PRESIDENT TAFT.

By IREDELL MEARES.

William Howard Taft, the twenty-seventh President of the
United States, visited Wilmington on the 9th day of November,
1909. The occasion was a notable one in the annals of the city.
The Governor of the State, with his staff officers, United States
Senators and Congressmen, the representative editors of the
State press, and a large concourse of visitors from all parts of
the State did honor to the occasion. The city was beautifully
decorated. The day was ideal in its sunshine and balmy air.
The spirit of the people who crowded the streets was splendid.

Not an incident occurred to mar the great reception.
On his arrival on the early morning train, the executive com-

mittee of the citizens’ organization escorted the President and
his suite in automobiles from the depot to the elegant residence
of Mr. James Sprunt, where a breakfast was given in honor
of the President by that hospitable gentleman and his wife.
The home was tastefully and appropriately decorated. The
approaches to it were guarded by the United States Coast Artil-
lery from Fort Caswell, the band of which, during the break-
fast, played patriotic airs. Breakfast was served in the con-

Peace Restored 541

—— was seated. Others of the distinguished guests
ee f =“ Armfield, the adjutant general of the State, and
Tac es t ? Governor’s staff; Capt. Archibald B. Butt,
of the T; 5 ie a , who afterwards lost his life in the wreck
nee aoeriiiiet of a J. J. Richardson, a prominent throat and
(isda Whe en ee
snot nak oO : ney, of the United States revenue-cutter Sem-
lery Re —— Hancock, of the United States Coast Artil-
=. presentatives J ohn H. Small, R. N. Page, Charles R.
C ae : nd H. L. Godwin, all members of the United States

ongress; and Hon. Walter G. MacRae, mayor of the city.

The rest of the
party consisted of the Citizens’ Executi
Reception Committees. ae

After breakfast, the presidential party was conveyed under
the escort of the local military and the Naval Reserves to the
corner of Market and Third Streets, where all the school chil-
dren of the county of New Hanover were assembled in a most
beautiful flag formation, and as the President, with bared head
witnessed the scene, they sang the national siitheth. He was
then driven to St. Stephen’s Church, where he reviewed the
colored school children of the county, and made them a short
address. Next, he was escorted to the United States revenue-
cutter Seminole for a cruise down the Cape Fear as far as
Southport. _ Accompanying him on the trip were the Governor
and his military staff, the Senator and Congressmen men-
sone Mr. H. C. McQueen, chairman of the Citizens’ Execu-
ond Committee, the late Hon. Alfred M. Waddell, ex-member
SB om and a large number of representative editors of the

e press and citizens of Wilmington. Luncheon was served
on Sse and the President held an informal levee.
Git ee the Seminole was met at the Dram Tree, the
neartagsttaet e ee by all the river craft and steamers in
2 , 2 ors flying, and, formed in parade line, the pictur-

que fleet preceded the Seminole to the dock. On landing, a
ee was formed consisting of the United States Coast Ar-
Wery, detachments from the revenue cutter, and companies of

servatory, which had been transformed into an arbor of green
foliage, with vines trailing overhead, from which hung clusters
of real grapes. The hostess served a breakfast prepared in the
old-fashioned Southern style. There were seated at the table
fifty-two guests. On the right of Mr. Sprunt, the host, sat the
President, and on his left, Hon. W. W. Kitchin, governor of

the State; on the right of the President, United States Senator

foo and Naval Reserves, including a detachment
salbaaen e veterans and some twenty-odd different organi-
Hall mace. The President was then escorted to the City
= Fo hire ote a platform he reviewed the military parade
was Se nd State troops and the citizens’ organizations. He

roduced to the vast audience, estimated from fifteen to