River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-06-16
A STATE FOR FIFTY YEARS
The Semi Centennial Anniversary
of Wisconsin's Admission
Into the Union.
THE EVENT CELEBRATED IN MADISON.
sands of INSTRUMENTATION AssocI-
ations Hold Meetings That Are
Full of Interest - The Festivities
End with a War Song Concert.

ntiOns Hold Meetings That Are
Full of Interest - The Festivities
End with a War Song Concert.
TIE celebration of the semi-centen-
NAL anniversary of Wisconsin's admis-
sion TO the union opened in Madison
Tuesday, The eth inst. Several thousand
visitors were present from all parts OF
the state. Gov. Bushnell and staff, OF
Ohio, arrived Monday. At 2:15 Tuesday
afternoon the first official meeting of
the celebration was at the university
armory. Visitors were welcomed on
behalf of the state by Gov. Scofield,
on behalf of the city by Mayor Whelan.
The response was by Gov. Bushnell. Al
$3.50 in the afternoon occurred the boat
race between U. w. freshmen and ST.
Johns military.
In the evening the State Press associa-
ton, the state legislators since 1S4S,
the Eastern Star and other organiza-
tions held banquets, while the veterans
held a grand camping at Camp Randall.
Over 1000 veterans are already under
canvas on the historic camp grounds.
An overflow meeting at University ar
mory was addressed by ]. V. Quarles, of
Milwaukee.
The Second Day.
Twelve thousand is the estimate of
the attendance from outside the city
on Wednesday, the second day Of the
celebrations The features of the day
were the parade of the veterans of the
civil war, with nearly 1000 in line, and
the visit of the Milwaukee delegation.
From one to three o'clock in the after
noon Gov. and Mrs. Scofield gave an Of
fetal reception at the executive man
sion. The receiving party consisted of
Gov. and Mrs. Scofield. eX-Gov. Taylor,
ex-Gov. and Mrs. Hoard, eX-Gov. and
Mrs. Peck.
The second general meeting of the
celebration was held in the armory in
the afternoon and was addressed by Eu-
gene s. Elliott. of Milwaukee, who made
a plea for respect for the law as the
only hope of the commonwealth, but
said the laws must be such as 10 COM
mand respect; d. F. Bryan, of La
Crosse, paid tribute to the foreign
born citizens Of the state; o. II. Fethers,
of GAINESVILLE, urged loyalty TO the con-
stitution as our best hope, and +. c.
Kennedy, Of Superior, recited the rapid
progress of northern Wisconsin.
The Editorial association closed its
session at noon. The first paper was
by A. W. Delany, of Sun River, Mont,
who was one of the pioneer editors of
Wisconsin. He contrasted The editor
of early days with his latter-day sue
cessar, the change in the ar, the sub
stitution of improved machinery, and
the change which has come with the
lapse of time in the manner of treating
public men. The paper of A. NJ. Thomp-
son, of Milwaukee, another pioneer
newspaper man, gave many interesting
"reminiscences of early-6ay editors.
The State Bar association held its
anniversary meeting. Chief Justice Cas-
soday. president of the association, pre-
sided, and after a few welcoming re-
marks was followed by eX-Chief Justice
Lyon, who introduced Judge John K.
Bennett, of GAINESVILLE, judge of the
Twelfth circuit.
The meeting of the eX-legisIators, OF
whom about 500 were present, was adj
dressed by ex-Speaker George i. Bur
rows, who said in part: "A half CEN
fury ago what were we? To-day, what
are we? Then we had less than 100000
population; now we have 1000, 900.
Fifty years ago the first telegraph pole
was put up; now he sky is actually
cobweDDed win telegraph and tele-
phone wires There was not a mile of
railroad until 1850"
The event of the celebration for the
women of the state was the congress
of women al the Congregational church.
At the morning session Mrs. Frances
Il. Raymer, of Madison, gave a spirited
address of welcome. This was respond
ed 10 by Mrs. Charles s. Morris, Of Ber-
lin. president of the State Federation
of Women's clubs. Then came a sym
postum of the various organizations Of
women in Wisconsin. The afternoon
meeting crowded the audience-room of
the church. and attracted hundreds in
terested in the work of women's clubs.
Third and Last Day.
The last important convention of the
samf-centennial was the state historical
meeting held in the Presbyterian church
Thursday morning. A great mum Der
Of representative men and prominent
WON'T n of the state we're present. John
Johnston, of Milwaukee, president of
the State Historical society, presided,
and seven historical addresses were de-
liyercd, each tracing the development of
the respective sections of the state.
4 convention of the Christian workers
Of the state met in the capitol in the
morning. A committee consisting of
]. T. Moseley, Rev. f. G. Updike, Rev.
Mr.. Miner, Rev. w. j. Mckay and Rev.
p. b. Knox, all of Madison, were en-
powered to secure a history of the work
Of the church in the past as related to
the building up of the state.
Nearly 1000 pioneers who were in
Wisconsin in 1S43 or before, attended
the celebrate and their reunions were
an interesting feature. In all 90 speeches
or papers were presented and will form
a symposium of Badger history.
4 final informal camp fire CT the vet
Grams was held at Camp Randall in the
forenoon, and it was voted to hold an
nual reunions on the old camp ground.
Over $500 veterans were in town, and
this. their first meeting since the war
on the old moblizing ground, was one
Of the most successful features of the
celebration. Nineteen regiments held
reunions.
The final feature of the celebration
was n war song concert held in the gym
aasium of the university in the after
noon. at which 5000 people were pres
ent. 4 chorus Of 400 children from the
Madison schools and 500 adult voices
gave a two hours programme of patri-
otto songs. in which the vast audience
joined.
The celebration was n pronounced
success in every way, but particularly
from the historic standpoint. Practi-
cally every field of endeavor was
CLEANED for the past IS years in Wiscon-
sin. The valuable papers and addresses
given will he compiled and form part
Of the state historical collections.
Took Rat Poison.
Miss Grace Lennon, 10 years of age,
died in Sparta, from the effects Of rat
poison, taken with suicidal intent, She
was to have graduated from the high
school and had made all preparations
for that event, when she was informed
by the principal of the school that she
had failed in one of her studies and
consequently would not he granted di-
,Ior,o Havircr yXorleJ very faif bfr1l Z