April 29 – May 31, 1899
The Great Welcome: Seattle Plans a 'Rousing' Ovation for Returning War Heroes
Seattle Star planning reports describe ovations and a Tacoma landing rivalry.
8 reports in The Seattle Star, April 29 – May 31, 1899.
The story
From April 29 to May 31, 1899, The Seattle Star reported that Seattle officials, civic groups, women, and university faculty were organizing a large welcome for the First Washington Volunteer Regiment returning from Manila. The plans included a parade, fireworks, banquets, free rail excursions, and a mock battle at Lake Washington, with Mayor Humes—spelled “Hume” in one report—and the Chamber of Commerce involved. A May 31 report said Secretary of War Alger hinted the troops might land in Tacoma instead, setting off a Seattle-Tacoma contest; the reports do not confirm the regiment’s actual arrival.
Told from the 8 reports below. The reports are the record.
The archive grouped these reports automatically, by date, place and subject.
The reports 8
- The Seattle StarThe Great Welcome: Seattle Plans a 'Rousing' Ovation for Returning War Heroes
Mayor Humes and city officials rally behind a public subscription to fund fireworks, banquets, and even a mock battle at Lake Washington to greet the Washington Volunteers returning from Manila.
- The Seattle StarThe City’s Welcome Wagon: Seattle Prepares a Grand Ovation for the 'Washington Boys' Returning from Manila
As the Philippine-American War drags on, local officials, school superintendents, and citizens rally to raise funds for a massive parade and fireworks display to honor the First Washington Volunteer Regiment.
- The Seattle StarSeattle’s Ladies Plan a Royal Welcome for the Boys of Manila
As the First Washington Volunteers prepare to return from the Philippines, prominent women and Mayor Humes unite to organize a massive civic celebration, turning grief into gratitude.
- The Seattle StarThe University’s War Debt: Professors Demand a Hero’s Welcome for Seattle’s Own
As the First Washington Volunteers prepare to return from the Philippines, faculty and civic leaders unite to plan a massive reception, highlighting the deep ties between the university and the regiment.
- The Seattle StarThe Mayor’s Welcome: Seattle Prepares to Embrace Its War Heroes
Mayor Humes and the Chamber of Commerce unite to orchestrate a grand reception for the Washington Volunteers returning from the Philippines, offering free rail excursions and civic honors.
- The Seattle StarSeattle’s Grand Welcome: The Battle for the First Washington Volunteers’ Homecoming
In May 1899, Seattle mobilized its entire civic infrastructure to welcome home the first regiment from the Spanish-American War. With Mayor Hume calling joint committees and the City Council lobbying the Navy for a battleship, the city prepared for a celebration that would define its post-war identity.
- The Seattle StarThe Forgotten Wives of the Front
While the nation cheered the return of soldiers from the Philippines, the women left behind in Seattle organized to secure the future of the volunteers.
- The Seattle StarThe Battle for the Homecoming: Tacoma vs. Seattle Over the First Washington
As Secretary of War Alger hints that troops may bypass Seattle to land in Tacoma, a civic war erupts over who gets to welcome the returning volunteers from Manila.
From the pages
The Seattle Star · Apr 29, 1899
The Seattle Star · May 2, 1899
The Seattle Star · May 3, 1899
The Seattle Star · May 4, 1899
The Seattle Star · May 5, 1899
The Seattle Star · May 16, 1899
The Seattle Star · May 24, 1899
The Seattle Star · May 31, 1899
Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Public domain.