Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-06-07

were admitted by pass word to the
exemplification of the secret work,
which was in charge of the Waukon
Foresters' Team, assisted by officers
of the local camp. A candidate was
initiated in regular form, and this
part Of the days program was greatly
enjoyed by all who witnessed it.
At three O'Clock, the base ball game
between the Dubuque and La Crosse
teams was commenced on the new
ball ground on the city park. An
immense crowd enjoyed the game,
which was a good one, although the
Dubuque team clearly outplayed the
La Crosse team at almost every point,
and won by the decisive score of to l
During all the afternoon and even.
ing the big Woodman bowery at the
corner of Water and River streets was
filed with pleasure seekers, who
"tripped the light fantastic" to the
music of the Helwig orchestra until
after midnight. After the close of
the base tall game, the prize contests
were held at the corner of Washington
and Water streets, where a great crowd
congregated. The first was the Fore.
sters' drill. with two entries, Oelwein
and Waukon. The Oelwein team drill.
ed first, and won the prize. The drills
were conceded by all to be the best
ever seen at a similar picnic, both
teams executing the different move
ments with precision and grace. and
eliciting repeated applause from the
crowds. The Judges awarded Oelwein
first prize and Waukon second.
Then came the band contest, in which
four bands competed, West Union,
Waukon, Floyd and Oelwein, and they
were awarded places by the judges in
the order named, three prizes being
given. Each band played march
and an overture, and they were lis
tened to by an immense crowd.
During the drill contest Prof. Anabel
of Waterloo, made his balloon ascen-
sion and parachute Jump from the
hitching grounds, and it was as pretty
an ascension as one ever saw, the ascent
and descent being made with perfect
safety.
After the contests. the crowd scat
tered to the different eating places for
supper. and by the time they were
through the excursion trains began to
leave and departed at intervals up to
ten O'Clock.
At : 80 p. m. an interesting game
Of basket ball was played at Steyer's
opera house, between the Dccorah In.
stitute and Waukon High School,
ladies' teams, resulting in victory
for Waukon, by the score of IA tot.
In the evening the people were en-.
tertained by the bowery dance, the
dance at Steyer's opera house, and
the production "Caught in the Web"
at the Grand, it being the general
opinion of all who attended the latter
that they were.
The streets were crowded until
midnight with gay, happy crowd,
who were quiet and orderly, and had
spent day of recreation and had a
real good time.
Among the most satisfactory features
of the day is the fact that with such
a large crowd there were no accidents,
no fights, no arrests. 1t was an ex-
ceptionally orderly crowd. The mer-
chants all did big business, and the
numerous eating places, stands, amuse.
ment devices, etc. all did about all
the business they could take care of.
Everyone seemed we'll pleased with
the day. whether visitor or resident
of Decorah. 1t was great gathering
Of the members of q great order, and
for many years to come the memory
Of the Decorah picnic of 1905 will
linger in the minds of those who had
the good fortune to participate.