William Jennings Bryan campaigns in Iron Mountain

William Jennings Bryan arrived at Iron Mountain by special train on October 14, 1896, while campaigning for president on the Democratic ticket. Speaking from a stand erected for the occasion on the west side of the 200 block of South Stephenson Avenue, Bryan outlined his silver money policy to a crowd estimated at 5,000 by a reporter for The Range-Tribune. People watched from the rooftops and the windows of the surrounding buildings, eager to get a better look at the 36-year-old presidential candidate who was defeated by Republican William McKinley. An undocumented bit of local lore relates that the Republicans arranged for a train to pass through while Bryan was speaking, causing a major interruption given the magnitude of the crowd. This photograph was taken by Jorgen J. Eskil, from a window of the Fisher Block [Commercial Bank] looking east. Storefronts visible from left to right include: 215, The London Store, owned by Samuel and Julius Rusky; 219, Charles E. Parent, “dry goods, carpets, boots, shoes, gents’ furnishings, groceries, provisions, flour, feed, crockery, glassware and general merchandise”; 221, George T. Corning, hardware; 225, J.J. Cole, dry goods; 229, Edward J. Ingram, “drugs, medicines, paints, oils, glass, books and stationery, cigars and fancy goods,” and Charles E. Steller, jeweler; and 231-233, First National Bank. [Menominee Range Historical Museum]