william jennings bryan visits table rock
William Jennings Bryan ran for president three times, in 1896, 1900, and 1908. Before 1896, he had twice been a senator, and for a while was the editor of the Omaha World Herald. It appears that he stopped in Table Rock in July and October 1896, 1906 and -- in support of Woodrow Wilson for the presidency -- in 1912. There is a "Table Rock" speech preserved from the July 1896 stop.
in table rock in 1895 and 1896
The Panic of 1893 had left the nation in a deep depression and Bryan proposed to create inflation with a “free silver” policy, which would double the value of silver in proportion to gold. Bryan took to the rails, reportedly speaking some 600 times to some five million listeners.
William Jennings Bryan campaigned in 1895 and 1896. He appears to have stopped in Table Rock twice, in July 1896, for sure, and then in October 1895 -- probably 1895 but possibly 1896.
The October visit is partially documented by the postcard above. This postcard at first glance says "Oct 1915). However, there is a smudge, and if the year was written, it can't be seen. Perhaps it said before the smudge "Oct 95." It was not 1915. William Jennings did not run for office in 1915. He was Secretary of State from 1912 and until June 1915. He campaigned for Woodrow Wilson in 1916.
The July 1896 visit is established by a Table Rock speech by Bryan in 1896. Here it is:
I hardly know what to say, I supposed that when I came to Nebraska I would be met by some enthusiastic friends who have been loyal during years past, and by some that have been endeared by ties of personal friendship. But I hardly expected... such continued manifestations of your affection.
I came to Nebraska a young man knowing none of you, and I cannot complain of what Nebraska has done for me.
If I have been able to do for Nebraska some part of what she has done for me, I have done a great deal. I owe to these people what there has been of my public life.
Although I have been made the nominee, I come back just as I came nine years ago—a private citizen who will vie with you, in public as in private, in doing what seems best for the glory of the country and the welfare of our people.
If I should talk until the end of the campaign, if I were able to speak all the languages of the world, all the tongues of Christendom, I should not be able to express how I thank you from my heart for your kindly feelings manifested, and for what you have done for me.
My highest ambition is to so live that those who have put their trust in me will never have cause to regret it."
Nebraska voted for Bryan in the 1896 election. McKinley assumed the presidency but was assassinated. McKinley's vice president, Teddy Roosevelt, then assumed the presidency following which he was elected to two full terms.
The October visit is partially documented by the postcard above. This postcard at first glance says "Oct 1915). However, there is a smudge, and if the year was written, it can't be seen. Perhaps it said before the smudge "Oct 95." It was not 1915. William Jennings did not run for office in 1915. He was Secretary of State from 1912 and until June 1915. He campaigned for Woodrow Wilson in 1916.
The July 1896 visit is established by a Table Rock speech by Bryan in 1896. Here it is:
I hardly know what to say, I supposed that when I came to Nebraska I would be met by some enthusiastic friends who have been loyal during years past, and by some that have been endeared by ties of personal friendship. But I hardly expected... such continued manifestations of your affection.
I came to Nebraska a young man knowing none of you, and I cannot complain of what Nebraska has done for me.
If I have been able to do for Nebraska some part of what she has done for me, I have done a great deal. I owe to these people what there has been of my public life.
Although I have been made the nominee, I come back just as I came nine years ago—a private citizen who will vie with you, in public as in private, in doing what seems best for the glory of the country and the welfare of our people.
If I should talk until the end of the campaign, if I were able to speak all the languages of the world, all the tongues of Christendom, I should not be able to express how I thank you from my heart for your kindly feelings manifested, and for what you have done for me.
My highest ambition is to so live that those who have put their trust in me will never have cause to regret it."
Nebraska voted for Bryan in the 1896 election. McKinley assumed the presidency but was assassinated. McKinley's vice president, Teddy Roosevelt, then assumed the presidency following which he was elected to two full terms.
in table rock in 1908
Bryan ran for president again in 1908. Former Teddy Roosevelt was off in Africa, hunting. Bryan, again campaigned by train. Again, he stopped in Table Rock, as noted by this little flag, which is about one foot by its longest side.
Photo 205: This photo of a flag with handwriting on it had a transcription signed by Ada Justic: "This flag was waved in greeting [William Jennings] Bryan at Table Rock October 17, 1908, where he spoke to a very enthusiastic crowd."
in table rock in 1912
In 1912, Bryan came off the Chautauqua circuit. Photo 207 contains two photographs on a single mounting. The second is undated and is presumably from the same visit, but that has not been established. Bryan was not running for office that year, but reportedly traveled about in support of Woodrow Wilson. Presumably that was his purpose for visiting Table Rock.
The top photo shows Bryan reaching out to shake hands.
Some excerpts from the photo of Bryan on the train:
Photo 207, the lower photo showing a waiting crowd:
Photo 207: