Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-08-19
A HAPPY HOMECOMING DAY
A Large Crowd of Former Citizens from MllWau-
kee and Other Cities Take Possession OF the Old
Home City-Interesting Addresses


immense, yes unsurpassed concourse OF
people Of Watertown and surrounding
towns, all speaks louder and stronger
than any words, that we are welcome
home. Yes friends and neighbors, We
know we are welcome; what place on
earth is there that one can expect q
heartier welcome than that of ones
old home. We may roam about the
entire face of the earth, and no doubt.
many Watertown boys here today have
done so, but never feel so welcome as
we do amid the scenes of our youth,
among the friends and neighbors of
the early days and when looking in
the faces that always seem familiar.
There is but one feeling which ami
mates the hearts of every former Wa
tertown person here today, there is
but the single thought among US all
and that is, that no matter where We
may be presently located. no matter
where we have been since leaving here,
there is but one place that he will al
ways be welcome with the ardor that
moves the heart and that is dear old
Watertown. It has become more his
tOric that there is no town anywhere
whose people are more hospitable than
the people of Watertown to anyone
coming within its borders; courteous
treatment is guaranteed to everyone
who comes here and / say to you,
speaking for the club and its guests,
that our greatest concern is that We
may, in return to your generosity and
hospitality, contribute our share of the
entertainment of the day in measure
sufficient to satisfy all.
No doubt most of you have already
read of the organization of the Water
town club and are fully acquainted
with its objects, but / cannot refrain
from saying few words about it, even
at the risk of tiring you. 1t is rn or
ganization that, SO to speak, grew in q
| night and to such proportions that it
is really wonderful. I am in the posi-
to say my friends, that never was there
club, society or any organization OF
| men or women, started that became SO
strong and powerful in strength OF
| numbers in 80 short time az that OF
the Watertown club. Nor never was
such an association created whose
| members were so devoted and loyal to
its objects as they are to this one. As
by magic it grew from a membership
of rs on July 10 of this year, the date
OF its formal organization, to over 6O0
today and when we come here next
year our rOaster will number more than
100. 1t would perhaps surprise you
| when l say that the morning after the
first announcement OF it's organization
in the press, there were more than 1OC
applications for membership. Never
was highor and nobler evidence given
of the esteem and the love which the
sons and daughters have for the city O.
their birth than that which is shown
by the growth of this club. And il
seemed but natural. For years it has
been known that the better, or best fol
that matter, portion OF the population
of the city Of Milwaukee at least. came
from WatertOwn, and we have beer
meeting each other perhaps daily
without word or even nod of recog'
milton; we passed each other on the
streets as strangers without knowing
that we hailed from the same city
friends OF years ago had become total
strangers; schmates who stole the
answers to examples from each other,
when old Mr.. Bernard wasn't looking,
forgot of each others existence; in fact
the never ceasing struggle for gain and
position had caused the estrangement
to become complete. Under these cir.
cumstances the idea of the formation
of the club was hailed with universal
delight and but one idea seemed to be
uppermost and that was to renew those
early acquaintanecs, which after all,
are the best of our pleasures of this
life.
To bring old friends together, tc
cement that friendship in indissolable
union, to inform each o.her of present
location, to keep fresh our love for old
Watertown to shake each others hands
when meeting in strange cities or dis
tant states, to meet periodically to ex-
press our attachment for the place oil
1 Onr hi ,fh ri 20 <r;uo ola No%o~<orr~ -