The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-06-24
MANKATO NEXT.
WOOdman Picnic Coming Here
Without Fail.
A Big Crowd at Austin Friday, and
Everybody Was Talking
MankatO.

/
| was not a dissenting voice raised
| to this program at Austin Fri.
day. Many expressed themselves as
sorry that it was not held here this
this year, and the feeling was unani-
nous in favor of Mankato for next
years big picnic. The matter will
not be favorably decided until next
March, when the directors of the pic
mic association, which includes about
100 camps scattered all over the three
southern tiers of counties of the state,
will meet and select the time and
place for holding the annual outing.
Enough votes have been pledged to
secure the affair for Mankato. At
the last meeting there was very
close vote between Mankato and Aus
tin, and many camps were dissatisfied
at the result giving it to Austin, and
RETAINED from attending the picnic
on this account. This feeling kept
the crack Fairmont band away this
year. For this reason, the attendance
yesterday was not what was expected
by many, yet Excursion Agent
Walker, of the Milwaukee road, says
that it was the largest picnic yet held
by the association. His road carried
2,200 passengers, which is greater
number than at any previous Wood
man picnic. The other roads brought
in hundreds of people, and crowds
came in by team from the surround
ing country, so that conservative
estimate Of the number Of strangers
in the city is 1900 to 5000. 1t is be-
lieved that there will be 5000 to TO-
in Mankato next year, as the terri
tory covered by the Omaha road was
hardly represented yesterday.
The Mankato train left on time
yesterday morning and reached Aus
tin at about HOO o'clock. The Con-
cordia band played some of it's choice
selections at the various stations
along the route. 1t was by far the
best band at Austin and won numer-
GUS compliments on all sides. AS the
Fairmont band did not show up, no
tournament was held. This was q
disappointment to the Mankato boys,
as they have twice won over the Fair
mont band and wanted to make it
three times.
Austin covers good deal of terri
tory, and in order to reach the differ
ent points much walking is required.
The streets to the depot were un-
sprinkled and the dust was inches
deep, The city was handsomely deco
rated with bunting, and many of the
business men and residents showed
their interest in the order by prepar-
ing representations in which the
Woodlands craft figured. All kinds
of things were made out of logs, bark,
etc. Many of the displays were also
highly patriotic. Two miniature war
ships, constructed of framework and
bunting, were suspended in the air
above street intersections.
The city was full of strangers, and
everybody had good time. The
Woodmen as a rule took their wives
and families, and large part took
lunch baskets. Many of the camps
turned out in uniform and accom-
panied by bands or drum corps. The
parade was pretty and impressive
sight and stretched out for blocks.
A huge tent had been pitched, and
the following program was carried out
| there:
Prayer by Rev. F. G. Whitney.
Music by the band.
Introductory Remarks by Lafayette
| French.
Welcome on behalf of City by Mayor
f. l. Crane.
Response on behalf of Woodmen by
State Deputy Dawson.
Song by Woodmen Quartet.
Address by Gov. W. A. Northcott, OF
| Illinois, Head Consul.
Song by Woodmen Quartet.
Short speeches by prominent Wood.
men Of this and other states.
Prize drills by visiting teams OF
Foresters occurred on the court house
square, and there were number OF
sports engaged in at the park and on
the Cedar river, where small lake is
formed by mill dam, such as could
easily be formed at Sibley park. The
Mason City team of Foresters confer.
ed the degrees at Armony hall, and
! it's work is very highly spoken of.
There were some good horse races at
the fair grounds.
The train left promptly on schedule
time, and the big crowd was easily
handled. Everybody left tired but
happy, having had most joyous day.
Too much credit cannot be given Ex-
cursion Agent Walker and Agent
Moore for their work in connection
with the picnic. The various trains
were we'll handled, no accident occur
red, and everybody got home in sea.