Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-06-07
N. v. A. P|CNCA GRAND SUCCESS!
Woodmen of North Iowa Unite
in a Day of Enjoyment
LARGE CROWD AND SPLENDID WEATHER
An Unexcelled Program Of Attractions Presented,
and Carried Out in Manner Pleasing to
Everyone. The Day a Signal One in
the History of Decorah.
E CROWD AND SPLENDID WEATHER

When the matter of entertaining the
annual meeting # the Northeastern
Iowa Picnic Association, Modern
WOodmen of America, was first pre-
sented to the citizens of DEBORAH it was
accepted by them in the accustomed
spirit that has always been manifested
here, we will entertain them
royalty, and will open wide our gates
and present attractions and entertain.
ment that will make all Woodmen
and others who may come feel that
their presence is acceptable to US and
that they are right welcome to every
courtesy we can bestow upon them.
But little did our people think ut the
commencement of these arrangements
that Northeastern Iowa contained so
many WoOdmen, or that we would
entertain more than q few hundred OF
thousand people. However, they were
soon convinced that this picnic would
be no small affair, and they arose as
one man, to assist the local Camp in
preparing for the entertainment Of the
visitors. Everything went along as
smoothly as could be expected aud the
last few days saw nearly all our busi-
ness men preparing for the great
event. On Monday banners, bunting,
streamers, flags and emblems, were
draped about the buildings and streets,
tastily designed windows were pre-
sented to view, aud an early riser oi
yesterday morning saw the brightest
and most enterprising city of north
ern Iowa decked in her finest, looking
like blushing bride, awaiting the
coming of the bridegroom.
The day dawned most auspiciously.
Scattered in the heavens were groups
of clouds which cast an occasional
shade for the overheated. A gentle
breeze famed the atmosphere, and an
occasional sprinkle of rain for a
moment or two cooled the air. so that
the day as q whole was as if it had
been made to order. Every highway
leading to Decorah was dotted in the
early morn with vehicles carrying
hundreds who came from near and far
to enjoy the festivities of the day, and
to assist in welcoming those who were
to come on the special trains.
At 7:45 o'clock the regular morning
train arrived on the Milwaukee, bear
ing the Minneapolis Flour City Forester
team and many others from the north.
They were escorted by the local For
ester team to the hotel. At $50 the
Decorah camp, headed by the Decorah
City Band, marched to the depot to
greet the first special, which soon
arrived, carrying twelve coaches packed
full of people. These people were
quickly formed into line and escorted
to the city park, where they awaited
the arrival of the other trains, which
came in rapid succession until eleven
o'clock. Each train load was escorted
by the Decorah City Band, the local
Forester team and local camp to the
city park. There were in all six
special trains, four over the Milwaukee
and two over the Burlington, besides
three regular trains on the former and
one on the latter. All were well filled,
and some crowded, car and platform,
to their fullest capacity.
The forming of the parade com.
menced at about IL o'clock on the city
park, aud it was one of the most
gorgeous and beautiful professions that
ever marched the streets of DecOrah,
A dozen bands filed the air with
music, and score or more Of Forestei
teams executed foot and ak drills Of
every nature. Itwas indeed a pleasing
spectacle, and a thrill of pride filled
every Woodman, who felt that he was
q part Of one of the grandest orders In
existence, whose only mission and pur
pose is to uplift and aid mankind, and
to provide for their families In case o.
death by disease or accident.
The parade moved from the city
park In = north westerly direction to thu
north side Of the stone mill, wher'
1t turned south on Mill street to Water
street, thence east on Water to JohI
street, south to Main, and west to th'
Court Houss Square, whore the morn
ing sxeEolsss. were held.