Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-08-19

homecoming udy uds COulo cUu SOuo
and in going has left complete sense
of satisfaction both to the visitors and
to the city of Watertown. On Satur-
day the final preparations were COM
menced 10 earnest for the reception
and entertainment Of the city's old
time residents and such of their friends
as might accompany them. BY Satur-
day evening the city was gaily deco
rated with bunting and flags. Main
street especially presenting holiday
appearance with the numerous string-
ers of small flags overhanging the
tboroughfare over the entire length.
Many arrived on Saturday evening
from several points west and other
places at quite a distance, prepared
tor visit at the old home.
Sunday morning broke fair and
balmy, q perfect day, apparently sent
for the happy occasion. The city wa
up and astir bright and early in antici-
patton of the day before them. At
about 9 o'clock the executive commit
tees, headed by the home band,
marched to the Northwestern depot to
receive the delegation from Jane eeville.
AS soon as these visitors were escorted
to the city, the committees and band
proceeded at once to the ST. Paul de-
pot. At this point an immense crowd
was assembled, old, middle-aged and
young, anxiously awaiting the arrival
of friends, many OF whom had not been
seen in the old town for years.
At $50 the first train, composed of
thirteen coaches, pulled into the depot.
It was certainly an interesting sight to
see the mass of humanity pour from the
train and to see friend looking for
friend 10 the vast crowd. Bach's band
of Milwaukee, accompanied this con-
tingent md as soon as the committees
had formed in line and the carri-
re conveying the guest of honor, Ex-
Gov. Peck and his escort had joined
the procession, took up the march to
Turner opera house when the crowd
disbanded until the afternoon.
The second train from Milwaukee
arrived at 1910, when the same cere-
mony was repeated as in the former
instance, The city was now crowded
with ever 1000 visitors about 700 of
whom were from Milwaukee.
At o'clock 10 the afternoon the
bands and committees and such as de-
sired, took up the march to Tivoli
island where the main events of the
day were to take place. The island
rapidly filed up and in short time
there were fully 1000 people assembled
there, in fact the capacity was taxed
to the utmost.
The afternoons exercises were open
ed by Mayor Brusenbach who well
coined the visitors briefly but cor daily
to the city. He spoke as follows:
81 extend to you an old fashioned
welcome expressed by the handclasp
at friendly greeting rather than the
meeting OF the finger tips. One that
will leave no doubt as to the tone of
welcome by our citizens. tender you
the freedom of the city and the hospi-
tality of the people. | would like to
tender the key to the city. but am un-
able to do so as the Milwaukee business
men stole the only key we had upon
their visit to US a year ago."
Following the remarks Of Mayor
Brusenbach, which were enthusiastic-
ally received by the visitors, Attorney
E. A. Kehr of Milwaukee and president
of the Watertown club responded in an
able manner. The substance of his
remarks follow. Mr.. Kehr is certain
ly pleasing speaker and the citizens
evidenced that they were prouud OF
their former son in the manner in
which his address was received:
Although we are grateful to the
mayor for his many kind words of well
come and for the unbounded generosity
which he bespeaks for the people oil
Watertown, still ] am sure that voice
the sentiment of every member of the
club and the people, assembled when ]
say that words OF welcome were scarce
ly necessary. The magnificent recep-
ton which greeted us ,at the station
this morning, the hearty enthusiasm
<ef every one who was there; the glad
ness which was pictured on every face,
the warm and sincere handshakinp OF