Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-06-11
HOSPITALITY /!
Wausau and Grand Rap
ids Shake Hands.
The Water-POWer Of the Heavens.
Water Warmly Welcomes WauSau.
Cordial Courtesy Coneuers
A Good Tfme,-35O WaUsayvyers via. Wis.
consin valley WaiIyvay Wig
orously Welcomed,

The day set for the grand excursion
of the good people of Wausau to
Grand Rapids and Centralia, dawned
with unpropituouS clouds blackening
the heavens Long before noon the
rain came down in torrents. and
continued without cessation till after
two clock. Our people had made
every preparation to give the friends q
most cordial greeting, and but for
pluck, such as is characteristic Of them
they would have been disheartened.
An early train proceeded to Knowlton
taking up some twenty Of our citizens
to receive and escort the visitors to
our city returning with the delegation
at 11.45. The booming of cannon in
Centralia announced their coming.
Four coaches were crowded to their
utmost capacity and arriving at the
depot, where arrangements had been
perfected for formal reception, which,
owing to the terrible storm was, as we
learn, wholly omitted, the guests were
escorted to our hotels where everything
was arranged for their comfort. our
people receiving the guests in private
carriages, while buses and livery We
hicles conveyed the throng cheerfully
through the torrents that came down
as though the windows of heaven were
opened. When all were safely housed,
the fine Silver Cornet Band accompany
ing the excursionists rendered two fine
compositions with excellent effect.
We compliment the band, we would
enlarge upon its excellencies, but we
propose to let them do the Jtowinq,
We will only say that there are few
bands in the state that can compete
with it. Wausau is, as she should be,
proud Of her musical organization, of
which we have before heard much, and
fr ON which we heard more last Wed
nesday. The heavy storm tended to
check the enthusiasm somewhat and
because Of it we must ask our Wausau
friends to excuse any discomforts they
may have experienced. The Rablin
and Roche Houses were duly prepared
to minister to the wants Of the multi
tude The tables at the "RabIin" were
supplied with ample fare and "Mine
Host" Reynolds, made the attention
Of his guests speciality. The same
courtesy was extended at the Roche
House The "boys" were intending
to march in procession with the "steam-
er," but the terrible rain made the
streets SO heavy that the project was
abandoned The engine was taken
from the engine house however when
the rain had partially ceased, and ex-
ercised for an hour or more. 1t SEEM
ed to play" with less power than
usual, probably because it was disgust
ed with the competition from the heav-
ems. After having, as we believe and
hope, good time, all things considered,
the party were taken tc the ears at
about o'clock, and amid cheers and
well wishes for safe arrival home,
and for the speedy building of the W.
V. r. r. to Wausau, the long train
moved from the depot with its pre-
cious load of as genial souls as have
ever shared the hospitality Of Grand
Rapids and Centralia. We met many
old friends, but, to enumerate them all
would require an "EcFra." The num-
Der composing the delegation is put
at three hundred and fifty or four hum
dred, and yet Silverthorn asserted that
they would scarcely be missed "for
Wausau is live town you know. "
May her borders be enlarged, her walls
rise higher, and prosperity be hers for
ever.