The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-06-30
SPANS FIFTY YEARS
Life of st. Peter and Paul's
Church Organization.
Celebration of Its Golden An
niversary Begins.
Bishop Joseph B. Cotter OF WI
mona Arrives Today.
Crowds Of People will Be In
MankatO Tomorrow.
From Saturdays Daily.

From Saturdays Daily.
Bishop Joseph B. Cotter arrived from
Winona on the Northwestern train
shortly after noon today. The platform
of the union depot was crowded, mann
" with members of the st. Peter and
Paul's cnurch, waiting in eagerness te
bid him welcome. The Concordia band
in full uniform, played a joyful tune as
the train pulled in. Members OF the
St. Peter and Paul's Benevolent society
were there in large number with then
badges and flag. Rev. Father Neustich
greeted the distinguished guest as he
aliohted from the car, and as 1T was
raining somewhat, no time was lost In
getting the two reverend gentlemen into
the mack that stood waiting for them
They were slowly driven up Main street
to Fifth and over to the church, while
both bells pealed out a joyous welcome
that could be heard for long distance
around At the same time, the Con-
cordia followed by the Benevolent So
ciety members, marched up Main street
and over to the church, most of the
gathering at the depot following.
As the bishop and his escorts entered
the church, the choir .sang the beau
tiful Latin welcome, entitled 'Ecce,
sacerdcs!" signifying, Behold, the
priest!" The church was soon filled
with a large congregation, and the bis
hop pronounced the benediction. He was
then conducted to the German Catholic
parsonage.
There were many expressions of re-
greet at the bad weather. which persist
ed during the day, but thore are hopes
for better day tomorrow, when the
main celebration will take place. Con-
tinuous rain did not prevent the mem
bers of the church from turning out in
great numbers, however, though it did
considerably mar the appearance of the
beautiful arches on Fifth street in
front of the school and the church. The
colors of the bunting ran together lit
when wet, but the arches were still
impressive for all that. Numerous flags
on the school house and adjacent
buildings, together with number of
handsome words of welcome in Ger
ly pleasing. The management intends to
cover these arches with fresh green
boughs, which will greatly add to their
beauty. There will also be more fes-
looming in red, white, blue and green
The crowds that moved along the side
walks up and down Main street today
were somewhat hindered by the branches
that hung down, laden with rain. To-
morrow there will be thousand OF
more visitors in the city, and if the
weather is fine, there may be two OF
three times that number. 1t might be
well for the owners of the trees to trim
off those branches that are likely to in
terfere with passers-by.
This morning at nine o'clock the pro.
rram of the three days festivities was
begun at the church, when Rev. Faith.
CT Neustich celebrated solemn high mass
In the presence of large congregation
The sermon was preached by Rev. Fatn
er William Weis, now of st. Johns col
lege, Toledo, Ohio, once a Mankato bov
Rev. Weis is a guest whom the people
of the congregation and many citizen:
are especially delighted to have here
because he is an old friend and ac
quaintance.
Tomorrow will be the big day. 1t i:
expected that 200 will come down from
New Ulm alone and $50 more from st
Peter, while at least a hundred SHOULD
be in from Madison Lake. Catholic
Benevolent societies and Foresters
lodges at these places nave signifieC
their intention of coming down. Thir
ty children will come down from Mad
son Lake for confirmation, and these to
gether with the hundred and seventy
five or more Mankato children who ar,
getting ready for confirmation. vii
maks an exceedingly large class. Thi
afternoon the bishop and Father Neu
stitch were busily preparing the Mankatt
boys and girls for the confirmation, adj
ministcring the examination and comics
sion.
Besides the visitors from New Ulm
delegates are expected tomorrow from
Madelia, ST. James, Wells, Minnesota
Lake, Mapleton. st. Clair ana otne
neighboring points.
The order of march in the parade
wnich will take place tomorrow. be
ginning at three o'clock, will be as fol
lows:
First Division-Marshal, flag, Concor
dia band, school children, jubileers il