The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-07-12


NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ANITOWO
About three years ago, the Manitowoc
County Club was organized and in
corporated at Chicago. 1t was made up
of former residents of Manitowoc
county, who desired an organization
which would give the opportunity 10
meet socially, and bring together al.
those who hailed from Manitowoc coun-
ty. together with the wives and hus-
bands who had by them been captured
In addition there was motive that
sometime the club would be strong
enough to attempt an excursion to the
old home The spirit which animated
this organization was not only akin to
home sickness but sprang from loyalty
to the county where they had first seen
the light of day and received hfes
equipment. The members were proud
of the old county, and intended by this
organization to give active expression To
their sentiments. Located and scattered
"A they were over one of the largest
cities in the country, it took years TO
gather together sufficient number OF
persons whose interest in, and enthus''
asm for, this proposition would insure It's
success. The club has now member
ship of about three hundred and nifty,
who each hail from some part OF the
county if not, then the husband or wife
does. Some years ago it was proposed
to make an excursion to Manitowoc,
and ever since earnest efforts have been
made towards that end BY constant
agitation and numerous meetings the
interest was awakened to such an ex-
tent that train load Of nine coaches,
completely filed, was ready to start last
Saturday afternoon. We had informed
the members that we would certainly
have an enjoyable time. The actual
reception accorded rs 40 far exceeded
that expectation, that words fail proper
ly to express our surprise and apprecia'
ton. No sooner had the train entered
the boundaries of the county, then signs
of a welcome could already be noticed,
and az we approached the city, for miles
we could see blinking at us the wei
come home" from the court house dome
prepared by the City club. From the
very limits of the city, far distant from
the depot, the people were lined along
the track, while at the depot proper
such crowd of citizens met us ~ has
not been seen since the days when the
boys left for the war. Under such
circumstances, and with 30 much popu
lar enthusiasm, it was impossible tc
form in regular procession to march tc
the Turner hall. Members were cap
tured right and left by their relatives
and friends and thus each one had hi
escort. 1t was not formal reception,
it was an outburst of good fellowship
seldom experienced and not easily dupli.
Gated. We expected to arrive quietly
proceed to the Turner hall, and then
dispense to our several stopping places
Instead we met display of red fire
fireworks, and cheers, which fairly took
our breath away, Pleased we expected
to be. but to be dazed was beyond oul
calculations. No one who took part IL
the excursion can ever forget the scenes
at the depot and on orr way to the hall
We came as private citizens to visit the
scenes of our childhood We were re-
ceived by the mayor and public officials
AZ if it were public function. This
appreciation Of our efforts has deepened
our pride in our old home, and made still
stronger the affection we entertain fol
il. The decorations Of streets and build
ings, and the illumination thereof
touched us deeply. The reception a,
Two Rivers by the city officials and
people was duplication of that at Man
itowoc. The presence Of large numbers
from the county towns proved that the
sentiment Of welcome was genera
throughout the county.
We have had no time to catch oul
breath and at a formal meeting adop'
the usual resolution of thanks. Such
usual formality would be indeed ont Of
place, and we therefore issue this address
to the people on the spur of the moment
framing the words as the heart dictates
We desire to tender our thanks to the
mayor and aldermen Of the city of Man
itowoc and TO the mayor and aldermen
OF the city of Two Rivers, for Their
cordial welcome, to the City club oi
Manitowoc for their energetic actor
and substantial encouragement, and
likewise to the merchants of Two Rivers
to Dir. Kelley for his inspiring welcom
ing poem, and to its reader, Miss
Margaret Christensen, for her effectiv,
reading Of the same; TO the Baenscl
Guards for their presence at our picnic
and their interesting exhibition drill
TO the fair grounds association for tn
convenient and comfortable condition
in which the grounds were placed at on
disposal and TO all the people of bot