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THE CROWNING DAY IN COLONEL CODY'S LIFE.
NEBRASKA'S OVATION TO HER FAMOUS SON AT THE GREAT OMAHA TRANS-MISSISSIPPI EXPOSITION.
In 1883, the year of its organization and upon a much less comprehensive and colossal
scale than it has since attained, Colonel Cody presented his now world-famous "Wild West"
at Omaha. Fifteen years later, on the 31st day fo last August, and on the same sport previ-
ously occupied by his arena, he agian appeared, and this time as the invited and honored
guest of the State of Nebraska and of the great Trans-Mississippi Exposition. There were
gathered to enthusiastically and proudly welcome him some thirty thousand people, includ-
ing the most prominent officials and political leaders of Nebraska and her representative
pioneers and business men. Although within the period of a decade and a half his name
had grown to be a household word in every land, he had become the most widely known
and lionized man of his generation, had met with continuous ovations from applauding
millions in both Europe and America, in which the mightiest of rulers, the most renowned
of soldiers, the most distinguished of statesmen and diplomats, the first of savants, and the
beauty, wealth, power and culture of the world had participated, yet to him "Cody Day" was
infinitely and inexpressibly the most gloriously gratifying triumph of his memorable life,
involving the highest compliment ever paid by any sovereign state, community or associa-
tion to a private citizen.
At eleven o'clock on the morning of that red-letter day, Colonel Cody, leading his
"Congress of Rough Riders of the World," and accompanied by the reception committee
and guest of honor in carriages , reached the main entrance to the exposition, where he was
received by General Manager Clarkson and a delegation of one hundred ad fifty mounted
chiefs and warriors from the Indian encampment. As the brilliant cavalcade filed into the
open space before the grand stand where the official reception was to be held it was greeted
with prolonged and vociferous cheers from the vast assemblage overflowing the plaza and
every adjacent vantage point of view. When Colonel Cody dismounted and ascended the
platform there was mighty roar of welcome, at the conclusion of which General Manager
Clarkson addressed him as follows:
"Mr. Cody, it is a source of great regret to the President of this exposition that official
duties prevent his presence here this morning, and in his behalf he has asked me to give
you a most cordial welcome to these exposition grounds. It is extremely fitting, sir, that
you should have such a testimonial as this, here, at the very starting point of your earliest
career, and as a man who has presented to all parts of America and to foreign countries the
customs of the West, and given it a place beside the great Congress of all Nations. We bid
you a most cordial welcome here, sir, and assure you that your success in life throughout
your career is merited and deserved. (Applause.) I will not introduce Governor Holcomb-
of the State of Nebraska, who will give you a welcome."
A CAREER WATCHED WITH PERSONAL INTEREST.
In the course of an eloquent tribute, the Governor said: "The large number that
have gathered here testify to the interest that we of Nebraska feel in you and in the great
enterprise which you have carried on so successfully and so creditably throughout the entire
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