The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-17
One of the Greatest TurnOuts Ever
Seen in Tbi. City for st. Pat
rick's Day Celebration.
TOMLINSON HALL MEETING
JOHN II. KEALING. OF CHICAGO, THE
PRINCIPAL SPEAKER.
Mayor BooI<waEter Prexides Over the
AssembIage-Ente
at EnEIish's.

The celebration of st. Patricks day be-
gan yesterday afternoon with perhaps the
biggest street demonstration ever given
by the Irish citizens of Indianapolis. The
parade was not scheduled to start until
O'Clock in the afternoon, but shortly
after the noon hour the streets began to
fill with people, marching bodies of Irish
orders and bands The parade formed at
Washington street and Capitol avenue. and
was half hour late in starting. Then
through the downtown streets, which were
lined with people. marched the parade to
the tunes of national and Irish airs, with
the colors of the two nations flying in the
stiff breeze. There were no loud demon
strations, the column moving quietly along
i'm time to the music, but each Irish patriot
wore satisfied smile and bowed courteous
ly to friends along the streets.
1t is estimated that there were fully $500
men in line. the Ancient Order of Hiber-
mans and the Young Mems Institute each
turning out 600 strong. First came three
platoons of police in command of Captain
Hyland. Then Grand Marshal p. H Nc
Nelis and his aids. the first division Of
ficers and the Father Mathew Military
Band of forty-six pieces. 1t was their
first appearance in public. Following the
band was the Boys Father Mathew Bri-
gade, Knights of Father Mathew, the clergy
and speakers in carriages and the Friendly
Sons of ST. Patrick.
The second division was composed large
ly of the several Y. NJ l. councils of the
city and the junior bands. ending with the
knights of Columbus in carriages and au-
tomobiles The tall automobiles made a
stately appearance. The third and fourth
divisions were made up of the city di-
visions of the Ancient Order of Eibernians,
and the parade closed with citizens on foot
and in carriages Each division was headed
by band The column was compact, so
that It was not long in passing
AT TOMLINSON HALL.
AS soon as the head of the parade reached
Tomlinson Hall there was a rush of spec
tators from the streets to gain entrance,
and the police had difficulty in making a
way for the marchers to enter. The dec
orations for the military ball had been left
hanging in the hall, to which had been
added plentiful sprinkling of green. The
edge of the stage was bordered with a
fringe of leaves and everywhere tho ma
tional colors were mingled with the green.
Grand Marshal McNelis called the meet
ing TO order and introduced Mayor Charles
A. Bookwalter. who presided The mayor
was received with cheers and loud ap-
pause In taking the chair he said the day
had been set apart in commemoration of
the greatest and truest missionary the
world had ever known. THE work done
by St. Patrick for Ireland and the Irish
| people, he said, has never been par
alleled by any other missionary I'm history -
He said his work had lifted Ireland out
of pagan darkness and established Christi
anity that has been faithful 10 his mem
ory At the conclusion of his address the
mayor introduced John II. Keatins of Chi
cago. national president of the Ancient Or
der of Hibernians.
Loud applause greeted Mr. Heating as n
stepped TO the front of the platform. He
said the celebration Of St Patrick's day
was not that of a government or nation.
nor of any church or creed. but of the
message St. Patrick brought 10 the
world. All that has been accomplished I'm
Ireland. he said. is due to the teaching
and influence of st. Patrick He told how
/ the lone missionary had overthrown na gan.
ism. ruptured the religion of Mohammed
/ in southern Europe and had made itself
| felt in all Europe. Then he told of the
/ purpose OF the Order of Hibernians AND
\ what il has accomplished He said the firsl
\ great victory over the English in the war Of
/ this country for independence was won by
/ the Irish on March IL. st. Patrick's day
1776 The three great accomplishments thai
followed the message of St. Patrick-ths
/ ChristianiZing of the nation, the overthrow
| OF MOhammedanism in southern Europe anc
the first victory over the English army in
! the United States-constitute the shamrock
ne said. which is dear 10 every Irish heart
| The speaker said there are four great so
/ cieties-the Masons. Good Templars. ode
| Fellows and Ancient order of Hibernians
! or these, two, the Masons and Hibernians
! he said date their organization to earl,
history One he said. Is a power I'm tn,
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3. COL. 2)