100 Years Ago -
Taft Visits the Wilcox Home
Transcribed from: BUFFALO EVENING NEWS ~ Saturday, April 30, 1910 ~ page 1
PRESIDENT SPENDS DAY IN CITY AS BUFFALO’S DISTINGUISHED AND HONORED GUEST
Many Feasts And Receptions Planned
-----
Chamber of Commerce, Ad Club and University Club Playing Role of Presidential Hosts
-----
To Discuss Local Topics at Tonight’s Monster Amalgamation Dinner of Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturer’s Club at Convention Hall.
-----
President William Howard Taft, accompanied by Secretary of State Philander C. Knox, is the honored guest of Buffalo today. In recognition of this high attention it is practically a half holiday throughout the business section of the city this afternoon. Even the weather was on its best behavior after nearly two weeks of petulancy and fickleness.
Crowds thronged the streets from early morning to catch a glimpse of the distinguished guest, and everywhere he was accorded splendid, if informal ovations. The greatest demonstration took place on Main street [sic] before the Chamber of Commerce Building at 12:30 o’clock. The motor car in which he was conveyed to the reception could scarcely plough its way through the dense crowds that waited to see him, and masses of men and boys pursued the machine for several blocks to get a front view of the genial executive.
It was a day filled with functions that kept the President busy. After being allowed to have his breakfast in peace at the home Ansley Wilcox, and having been given a couple of hours rest after an all-night journey from the Capitol, the President gave a reception to the members of the Chamber of Commerce and Maunfacturers’ [sic] Club at 12:30. From 1:30 to nearly 3 o’clock he was the guest of the Buffalo Ad Club at lunch at the Buffalo Club. Then followed a reception at the Buffalo Club to the members, after which he gave a reception at the University Club and later inspected the Gratwick Cancer Laboratory.
This evening he will be the principal guest of honor at the ratification dinner celebrating the amalgamation of the Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers’ Club, which was the main purpose of his visit here.
-----
Transcribed from: BUFFALO EVENING NEWS ~ Saturday, April 30, 1910 ~ page 1
AD CLUB MEN SANG THEIR SONGS TO THE PRESIDENT
President Taft had many a reminder of the annual dinners of the Gridiron Club at Washington while he was fraternizing with the Buffalo Ad Club this afternoon. […] Song and good cheer enlivened an hour that the President appeared to enjoy thoroughly, and the newspapermen of the Presidential party expressed their delight unreservedly.
[…]
And They Sang.
Rev. Dr. [Samuel Van Vranken] Holmes pronounced the invocation, and all joined in singing two stanzas of “America.” The Ad Singers were in as good voice as at their recent minstrel show, and the volume of the chorus nearly caused a blockade of vehicles and pedestrians out in Delaware avenue [sic] before the singing was over. Songbooks were at every plate, and all the chinks in the feast were filled with song. President Taft was singled out for special attention by the songsters. First they inquired of each other and the entire assemblage melodiously, “What’s the Matter With President Taft?” The President smiled all over when the singers demanded:
“What’s the matter with President Taft?
He’s all right.
What’s it matter if Taft deplores a fight?
He stands for all that is clean and fair.
He’s just and fearless and on the square.
What’s the matter with President Taft?
He’s all right!”
The next musical effort was dedicated to “Taft’s Smile,” and was hymed [sic] to the tune of “They Say Them Dutch, They Ain’t Got No Style,” and the singers’ opinion of it was as follows:
“They say that Taft
He wins with a smile—
Smile all the while,
Smile all the while,
They Say that Taft
He just smiles a smile,
And gets what he wants
All the while.”
Mason B. Hatch Scores.
After these two mass plays, the Ad men gave the ball to Mason B. Hatch for a run around the ends. Hatch scored a touchdown not once by several times in these variations of his minstrel success, “Everyone In Favor Say Aye.”
“Now I admit I became quite daft
When I was bid to lunch with Taft.
Of all the proud young mortals in this hemisphere—
I told my wife about it and she raised a cheer,
Said she, “That Mister Taft is just a perfect peach,
I’d dearly love to hug him if I had the reach,”—
I move this club adopt a “1912” war cry.
Everyone in favor say AYE.
Chorus:
“Everyone in favor say aye.
Holler up loud, now try.
Really, leaving every bit of joking aside,
He’s quite the biggest President we’ve ever tried.
Everyone in favor say aye.
“Zelaya though that he was a fox.
Until he got this note from Knox—
“You are the biggest grafter on this continent;
It’s time for you to beat it”—and Zelaya went.
Oh, all you have to do is write a note, I guess.
Please write one that will make the price of beefsteak less,
And we’ll make you Secretary for life—oh, my!
Everyone in favor say aye.
Chorus:
“Everyone in favor say aye.
Holler up loud, now try.
We’ll put that note today into the letter box,
And whoop’er up for you until the building rocks.
Everyone in favor say aye.
Holler up loud, now try.
Oh, if anything is wanted get a note from Knox.
Everyone in favor say aye—AYE!
Everyone in favor say aye.”
[…]
-----
Transcribed from: BUFFALO EVENING NEWS ~ Saturday, April 30, 1910 ~ page 1
THRONGS GREET THE PRESIDENT AT HIS NOONDAY RECEPTION
One thousand members of the Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers’ Club shook the hand of President Taft in the lobby of the home of that organization between 12:30 and 1:30 o’clock this afternoon. Admission was by card, only members being admitted. The visitors entered at Main street [sic], passed down the receiving line and out through the Seneca street [sic] exit. By reason of perfect arrangements, there was no crowding despite the large number who entered and the huge crowd at the doors.
[…]
No Hands in Pockets.
With Capt. Butt, the President’s aide, at the head of the receiving line, announcing the names of the men as they approached the President, the reception went on smoothly and quickly. The President stood midway between the front entrance and rear exit in the corridor, near the north wall. Capt. Butt stood at his left and as each man approached he ascertained his name and called it to the President, who repeated the name as he shook hand. Mr. Taft’s handshake is a real handshake, and his smile and word of greeting to each robbed the function of all formality.
There was little ostentation about the police protection. Supt. Regan and Capt. Forrestel, with a dozen policemen were in the corridor the men forming a lane through which the people passed from the entrance to the receiving line. But the whole headquarters staff of detectives were in the crowd, under charge of Chief Taylor. Every man in the line was scrutinized carefully by half a dozen pairs of vigilant eyes before he got near the President. Many a man who carelessly held his hand in his pocket was rudely awakened from this unconscious infraction by having the hand jerked out by a cold-visaged man in citizens’ clothes who made no apologies. . . .
-----
Transcribed from: BUFFALO EVENING NEWS ~ Saturday, April 30, 1910 ~ page 9
SPENT MORNING QUIETLY AT THE WILCOX MANSION
President Taft, the first chief executive of the United States to visit Buffalo since the martyred McKinley, spent two busy hours at work today in the room where Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office as President of the United States. This was the library of the home of Ansley Wilcox in Delaware avenue [sic]. A few blocks further up the street is the Milburn home where McKinley died.
Following breakfast, the President denied himself to all callers and spent the morning dictating to stenographers. Up to this time the President has prepared none of the speeches he is to make none [sic] on the present trip. He left Washington with full information as to the operations of the new Payne-Aldrich tariff law, however, and it is believed that he will enter into a new defense of this act, either in his speech before the Chamber of Commerce in this city tonight or in his address before the Americus Club in Pittsburg [sic] on Monday evening.
While the President was working, Secretary Knox was taken for a long automobile ride through the city and parks. Capt. Archie Butt, the President’s military aide, made a flying trip to Niagara Falls. It was reported he had gone to Canada in search of a new White House cow to succeed the late lamented “bossy.” At any rate, on the way to Niagara, the captain passed through the district made famous by former Representative Peter A. Porter who won a seat in the Congress with a cow for a platform.
The President did not leave the Wilcox home until [it was] time to proceed to the Chamber of Commerce where the first public function of the day was held. The streets were crowded by this time and as the President was quickly recognized, he was greeted by cheers.
-----
PRESIDENT ARRIVES AND IS TAKEN TO ANSLEY WILCOX HOME
Buffalo gave an enthusiastic welcome this morning to her illustrious guest for the day, President William Howard Taft.
April abandoned for the occasion her late habitual sulkiness and greeted the President with a efflugence [sic] of warm spring sunshine that reflected back the gentility of the Taft smile.
A lively southwest breeze swept through the city and kicked up a flutter among the flags that adorned public buildings and private dwellings, stirring them to bursts of enthusiasm in honor of the visit of the President and his party.
The President arrived at 7:20 o’clock, about five minutes ahead of the scheduled time. The platform of the New York Central Station was crowded with police, members of the entertainment committee of the Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers’ Club and hundreds of uninvited onlookers. Supt. Regan and Chief of Detectives Taylor had charge of the police arrangements, and they had their hands full when the Pennsylvania train rolled in, with the President’s private car Olympia at the rear.
[…]
Met the President.
Capt. Archibald W. Butt, the President’s military aide, acted a master of ceremonies in marshalling the entertainment committee into the President’s car. President William E. Robertson introduced his associates on the committee to the President, who shook hands with each heartily and dazzled them with the smile that has warmed hearts to him from Washington to the remotest islands of the Philippines and the Far East.
After the ceremony of introductions, the President appeared upon the rear platform of the car. Instantly there was loud acclaim. The President needed no introduction to the crowd. Everybody recognized him and joined in the fervid huzzas that went up and down the station platform. He paused a moment to allow the photographers to take snapshots of him, then descended from the car.
Out of the Station.
“Everybody back 25 feet,” thundered the mighty voice of Supt. Regan, and the policy and detectives, assisted by the secret service men in the Presidential party, swept back the crowds that closed in to get a nearer view and perhaps a handshake from the President. With difficulty a way was cleared to the train entrance of the station, and the President and party proceeded to Exchange street [sic].
A roar that rivalled [sic] Niagara greeted him from a crowd that filled the street on the other side of the car tracks, as soon as he took his seat in a big Thomas limousine. Fully 1000 persons were on hand to give the President an informal, but hearty welcome. The President stood up and bowed, distributing right and left fragments of the same irridiating [sic] smile.
Well Guarded by Police.
There was mounting in hot haste by a platoon of mounted police; four motorcycle policemen leaped to their saddles. Supt. Regan and five detectives filled a car that ranged ahead of the Presidential car; five more bluecoats filled a car that drew in behind. Farther back was another car filled with headquarters detectives, headed by Chief Taylor; six other cars, occupied by members of the entertainment committee, snorted into line, and then the caravan was off.
Up Exchange street to Main street, where flags frisked from scores of buildings, down Niagara street, past the McKinley monument, and up splendid Delaware avenue swept the procession [sic].There were large crowds along the curbs and the President was cheered all along the line. People appeared to have been waiting for a sight of the nation’s Executive and by good luck divined the route he was to travel.
At the Wilcox Home.
In the President’s motor car were President Robertson and Mayor Fuhrmann. Secretary of State Knox, who accompanied the President from Washington, rode in the car of Ansley Wilcox, with President Goodspeed and Representative D. S. Alexander, who also came from the Capitol with the President.
The party arrived at the home of Ansley Wilcox at 7:45 o’clock. The entertainment committee escorted the President inside the house, then took leave of him for awhile. The committee went to the Buffalo Club for breakfast. They had as guests the secret service men of the Presidential party, including L. C. Wheeler and R. I. Jervis, and C. W. Wagner, secretary to the President.
Representatives [sic] Alexander also was the guest of the committee at breakfast. Representative Daniel Driscoll, who also arrived in Buffalo with the Presidential party, took leave of them at the railroad station.
President Taft, Secretary Knok [sic] and Capt. Butt were the only guests of Mr. Wilcox at breakfast.
[…]
|
The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site is operated by the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation, a registered non-profit organization, through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. 641 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 • (716) 884-0095 • contact us Museum visits are by guided tour only - view our tour schedule |
|
