Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-11-09

Yesterday will be remembered by
the people Of Audubon and by great
many people Of the county as long as
they live. Such day comes to a
community in our country but seldom,
perhaps once in a generation. Thirty
four years ago many towns in the north
had receptions for the returning Union
soldiers. Those receptions are wildly
remembered by those who attended
them, and the one of yesterday will be
remembered by the thousands who
attended it as an occasion when the
people renewed their VOWS of patriot
ism and when we were all made better
citizens of our glorious country.
Yesterday morning came foggy and
damp and the roads and streets We're
muddy from rain the previous night,
but the weather was calm and warm,
soft as spring, OF as the tropical
climate from where our soldier boys
have come. But by nine o'clock the
fog had gone. A great concourse OF
people began gathering on the street
about 7: 80 when the electric light
whistle blew one long blast, signifying
the train bearing the boys had left At
lantic. Before nine the whistle blew
twice, the signal the train was at Extra
Election the previous day had so taken
up the time of those that were on the
committees to make the arrangements,
and the sickness of Il. J. Freeman,
who was the chief marshall, and the
muddy streets which prevented march
ing in the streets, all these made the
marching and tho parade much less
orderly than it was wished. But the
very lack of that order and the good
nature of the crowd, showed the
whole affair was q spontaneous out
burst of desire to welcome the boys
back, and to make another expression
of loyalty to the national administra-
ton.
A dense crowd was at the depot on
the trains arrival. The whistles blew
deafeningly for several minutes. Flags
waved, the crowd cheered and the
band played. When the boys alighted
| and greeted their relatives and a few
of their friends the procession formed
led by the band, j. A. Nash, president
of the day, the soldier boys and their
| near relatives, the reception committee,
the G. A. r., the High school cadets,
400 or 500 school children each carry
ing a flag and large concourse OF
| citizens. Will Wilson and Clyde
Baker were escorted to their respective
homes by the procession and then the
| other 1898 and''99 soldiers were given
| entertainment at the restaurants by
| the committee. Because of the mild
ness of the weather and the immense
crowd, the plan of holding the exer-
cises in the opera house, was changed
to the band stand in the square.
At p. m. the band played in the
park and the people gathered there.
The soldier boys were seated on the
platform as the honored guests. The
speeches were of high order. The
music by the Glover Leaf Quartet was
greatly appreciated, being excellent
Mayor H. w. Hanna, in his speech OF
welcome, spoke most appropriately, re-
viewing the scenes of the past eigh
teen months, praising the boys fol-
their soldierly conduct, and extending
to them the greetings of our people
We never heard Mr.. Hanna speak sc
we'll before. He surely arose to the
occasion. j. w. B. Cole read biogra
plies of the soldier boys of '9S and .!
from this county. 1t was an interest
ing and valuable contribution and vii
be published in these columns mex
week. Mrs. John OFT responded elo
quently to the toast, "Woman's par
in time of war; REV. II. ]. O'Con
nor, of Brayton, responding to thu
toast, 'Iowa" was eloquent and enter
tanning. He revealed his ability as
speaker and his patriotism as either
and was very favorably received by on
people. Rev. Bertch, of Gray, speak
ing on "The army chaplain" shove,
himself familiar with the subject anc
an able speaker. Rev. Father Loftu
was called up by chairman Nash an,
introduced as the man who patriot
cally fastened the flag to the top of hi
church this morning. He was enthusi
astically received and spoke brief,
but ably and eloquently. After til
speaking ended the high school cadet
under command of Leslie Walker di
some good drilling in the park tina
was greatly enjoyed. They are we
drilled. Their marching, manuverini
and execution of the manuel of arm
! looks like they could soon do as we'll 6
regulars. The soldier boys undt
Sergeant Chester Marlin then drille
few minutes.
The crowd was simply immense.
surely equalled, if not exceeded I'll
fourth of July crowd. Four or fly