The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-07-05
home COMING" IS BIG SUCCESS.

event. The special train OF nine coaches
bearing the visitors, more than 500 in
number arrived at Manitowoc over the
Chicago and North Western road shortly
after nine o'clock p. IN. last Saturday.
Thousands of people had gathered at the
station and along the right-of- way for
mile beyond the city limits to welcome
home the excursionists, and the visitors
did receive rousing, hearty, royal wei
come.
They were met at the station by Mayor
Henry Stole members of the city
council, a platoon of the police force Of
the city, including Chief Drews (who
conducted the procession) and the Marine
band.
The procession, headed by the mayor
bearing a five foot wooden key to the
city, was formed at the station. Every
inch OF the depot platform was occupied
by men, women and children of the city
and surrounding towns, and an immense
crowd was surging about the station and
along either side of the line Of march
Franklin, South Eighth, and Washing
ton streets. 1t looked as though the en-
tire population of the city had turned
out to accord genuine democratic well
come to the sons and daughters of Mani
towoc city and county who are now
residents of Chicago, and to the husbands
and wives and children of those Chica
goans who were formerly residents of
this county.
When the hundreds of visitors alight-
ed from the train, they were greeted by
smiling faces, shouts of welcome and
inspiring music by the Marine band,
which struck up Home, Sweet Home
when the procession started to march
The line of march was beautifully
illuminated with red fire. The welkin
above the gaily-striding legion was
rendered luminous by an advancing dis
play Of fire works, this giving rise to the
beautiful appearance presented by the
intersection of several curves of ascend
and descending fire.
The reception was held at the Turner
hall The first number of the program
at the hall was music by the Marine
band. This was followed by a rousing
address of welcome given by Mayor
Stole, who, at the conclusion of his
speech, led in giving the visitors three
cheers, which were given with a will
and a vim that would have done credit
to a legion of lusty -lunged, convivial.
spirited youngsters.
The mayor presented the large key to
President George Johannes of the Chica-
90 club of former Manitowocans, who
accepted it in a few well-cho, N words.
The next speaker was Judge Emil
Baensch whose ioy-kindling address,
like that given by the mayor, called
forth hearty applause from townsmen,
as we'll as from the Chicagoans. While
the mayors words of welcome We're ut
tered on behalf Of the city, Mr. Baensch' $
address was given on behalf Of the
Manitowoc City club Following the
st,mentioned address, an original poem
on home coming written by Atty. Ed,
ward Kelley, was read with admirable
expression by Miss Margaret Christian
sen. This was received with great
favor by the Chicagoans, who, at the
conclusion of the reading, applauded
loudly Atty. Oscar Torrison, mem
Der of the visiting club, then responded
to the addresses and poem of welcome
in an extemporaneous speech that was
thoroughly enjoyed by all in the hall.
The program was closed with another
selection by the band.
Sunday morning many of the visitors
went to Two Rivers on chartered inter,
urban cars.
Sunday afternoon several hundred of
the Chicagoans, and a few hundred
townspeople gathered on the fair
grounds. A program of sixteen events
had beed arranged but, owing to rain,
| this could not be carried out However,
Company H gave a drill that was much
enjoyed by all who witnessed it and
there was dancing in the floral hall
Most of the people on the grounds sought
shelter in the grand stand, where ex.
cellent music was discoursed by the
Marine band during the afternoon. Re-
freshments, including a generous quaint.
ty of the foamy amber, were dispensed
on the grounds during the afternoon.
The crowning feature of the home
coming was a delightful dance at the
Turner hall Sunday night, About 200
couple participated in the grand march
that was feature of the evenings pro-
gram At a. m, Monday, about half
of the visitors returned to Chicago on
the special train that had brought them
here, the rest OF the eXcursionists re-
manning for more extended visit in the
city and different parts of the county.
The city was handsomely decorated
for the event with green's, bunting, flags,
and pretty electrical display including
large electrical sign, Welcome Home, 3"
on the dome of the new court house,
which sign was caused to be placed there
by Mr. Fred Schuette.
The first home coming was big
success, and it is safe to say that the
visitors when they returned carried