Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-06-07
N. v. A. PICNIC A GREAT SUCCESS
LARGEST CROWD EVER IN DEBORAH HAVE
THE TINE OF THEIR LIVES.
Fifteen Twenty Thousand People Enjoy Continuous Pro-
gram Of High Class Entertainment From Morning to
Midnight. Universally Declared the Best Picnic
In the History Of the Association.

happy manner extended the visitors q
hearty welcome to the city. His ad.
dress was responded to by Col. A. l..
Sortor of Minneapolis. who kept the
big crowd in good spirits with his
funny stories well applied. and &C.
cepted the Mayors welcome in pleas.
ing and appropriate remarks.
The crowds then dispersed for din.
ner. and it may be said to the credit
Of Decorah, that they were fed
better and quicker than ever before
done at these picnics. It has often
happened that for three or four hours
visitors have waited at the eating
houses to get meals. and many have
been compelled to go without eating.
but inside of two hours practically
everyone who wanted it. secured a
good dinner or supper, and at rea.
sonable price. Every one seemed well
satisfied with this important feature,
which had been given careful attention
by those in charge of the picnic.
At 12 :25 O'Clock Head Consul A.
r. Talbot of Lincoln, Neb., arrived
via the Rock Island. He was escorted
to the Winnesheik Hotel for dinner
with party of officers and guests of
the association, and promptly at 80
the exercises opened for the after
noon at the city park. After music by
the Waukon Band, President Cole in
troduced to the waiting crowd Head
Consul Talbot, who was given an
ovation on rising. The address he
delivered was masterpiece. OF fine
physique and presence. with a clear,
distinct voice, and with a deep
whole-souled affection for the interest
and success Of the great order he re-
presents, he spoke for an hour of its
purposes and objects. the great good
it is doing, its rapid growth, and its
promise for the future. The address
was listened to with rapt attention by
the vast crowd, who felt honored by
his presence. and enlightened bv his
excellent speech. He was followed by
Head Auditor John D. Denison of
Clarion, Iowa, one of Iowa's most
prominent orators. Mr.. Denison has
the happy faculty of keeping his hear
ers amused and interested. and de-
livered an address that was forceful
and convincing. After music by the
Floyd Band. Hon. G. H. McNider of
Mason City. who has the Endorsement
of Iowa for Head Banker, and there is
little question of his election at the
Milwaukee Head Camp this month,
spoke for few moments concerning
Woodcraft. Mr.. McNider is a speaker
of recognized ability, ana his brief
remarks were pertinent to the day and
the subject. Mrs. Irene G. Bentley
of Oelwein, representing the Royal
Neighbors, also spoke briefly concern
ing the ladies' auxiliary and its work.
Immediately at the close of the
program at the city park, the busi-
ness meeting of the association was
held at the Grand opera house. The
attendance was larger than is custo-
mary. and the rivalry between West
Union and New Hampton, contestants
for the honor of entertaining the
picnic next year, was spirited. Charles
City withdrew its candidacy early
in the day, leaving clear field for
the other two. After preliminary
work, speeches were made for West
Union by Hon. D.. w. Clements, and
for New Hampton by Hon. NJ. E.
Geiser, after which the roll of Camps
was called, and at the close it was
found that West Union had won by
a majority of about a hundred votes.
Mr.. Geiser then moved to make it
unanimous. which was done. The
election of officers was then taken
mp, the following being chosen:
President-Sam q. Sloane, Charles
City, Iowa.
Vice Pres. = Mrs. Alice Mont.
pleasure, Mason City.
Board of Dircetors-R. r. Cornick,
Oelwein; H. J. Green, Decorah; DR..
J. #. Cole, Oelwein; John B. Kaye,
Calmar; A. l.. Sortor, Mason Oity
Mrs. DIV. Hellman, Mrs. ida Hessler.
Hampton.
The matter Of the election of Secre-
tary and Treasurer was left to the local
camp at West Union. After the ad.
journment Of the business meeting,
the opera house was cleared, and only