Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-08

7
| noon, and in fact shower cut short
the line parade. The procession formed
on South Main street passing north to
| the Park hotel, thence west to the
tabernacle in the following order:
DIR. Vim. Gorsline Mounted
Westby Band
Uniformed Cantons
Speaker. Mayor and Others in Carriage
Vassar Girls in White
Float-Mrs Norris Millinery Carriage
Roman Rider mounted
Third Regiment Band
Major Richards Captain Buffers. Adjutant Foster
Three Companies of State Militia
Float Davis Cigar Factory
Roman Rider Mounted
Float-Optimo
Base Ball Team in Uniform
Hay Seed Band.
The parade was very pretty one.
On arriving at the tabernacle the regu-
lar patriotic exercises were carried
through and strict attention was given
to every number on the program. Cap
tain Buffers preside, introducing
Mayor Chase, who delivered brief
and timely address of welcome, which
was happily responded to by Major
Richards; patriotic sole by Miss Martin
and chorus girls; reading of Declaration
of Indepenpence by Earl Arlington.
The address of Hon. James A. Frear,
secretary of state, occupied just thirty
minutes, and it is voted unanimously
that the speaker said more patriotic.
substantial and thoughtful things than
the average orator crowds into three
times as many minutes. Mr. Frear
spoke without notes, taking up in line
of their order commentator of Wis
consin's sOldiery of the present day, at
the time of the Spanish-America
war and the dark days more than four
decades ago, the fierce period in Ameri-
can history that tried mems metal and
their souls. He spoke of the achieve
ment of the republic, the advance in
methods of civilization in all walks of
| life, comparing the crude handicaps of
our forefathers with the rapid and eco
nomical equipments in the industrial
and commercial world; in the education
and the inventive we eclipse the world
and yet we enjov E;1t just glimpse of
the accomplishment that will mark the
coming century. Secretary F'rear took
up and discussed the economical ques-
si0ns of ttust, combinations and other
threatening systems, saying that these
problems must be settled and rightly
adjusted with fairness TO all interests.
1t is the duty, he said, of every citizen
to study these matters and act with
intelligent, honest and independent
judgment. Wisconsin, he affirmed, was
on firing line in advanced thought and
legislation and that we had right to
congratulate the state and her citizens
on this fact.
On conclusion of the exercises the
procession reformed and proceeded to
fair grounds, witnessed by crowded
streets of people.
Old sol smiled upon the world once
more, shortly after the noon hour, and
the drizzling rain cleared away, MAX
ing it possible to carry out the entire
afternoons S program without interup-
tion. Hundreds of people, besides the
soldiers and two bands, were served to
an excellent dinner before the perform
ance began.
The dress parade and sham battle by
the First battalion were features en-
tirelyWew to many of the spectators,
and an impressive sight it was. The
dress parade was held in advance of the
battle, and Major Richards was in
command AS the Third regiment band
march up the line, while the companies
were at parade rest, many an old vet
eran on the side lines was inspired for
the time, and lived over again the ex-
perienee of better then four decades
ago. And right here the CENSOR wish
es to venture the prophecy that the
Third Regiment band, the pride of
Viroqua, will make good in the M
portant position it holds in the regiment,
and will entirely satisfy the most criti-
call of officials of that organization. Ia
the battle Company M of La Crosse
was on the defense and Companies B
of La Crosse end l. of Sparta were the
attacking enemy. After considerable
maneuvering the single company was
captured at the points of bayonets and
the battle was over.
Next came the ball game between
Viroqua White Sox and La Crosse
Athletics. In this game Viroqua fans
all along the line were disappointed and
ehagrined. The CENSOR never wishes
te censure unless it is justified in so
doing, but the Sox put up the poorest
exhibition of the game seen on the field
in many day and the yisitors were
not much better. Johnsoi. OK pitcher,
was unable to keep hits scattered at
critical time, and this fact added to the
ten Year-old support he received in the
lnfield. lost the game beyond all hope
by the score of TO 5. Three thousand
people who witnessed the contest were
entitled 70 much better exhibition Of
the national game.
Messrs. George johnson and George
Aikerhead gave pretty exhibition Of
the Renan hippodroase race. Not until
the wire was reached was the race
decided, Johnson winning by a half
neck by a spurt of speed just before
the finish
Daylight fireworks in the afternoon
was feature entirely new in this sec
tion. Large projectiles were shot high
in the air, which exploded releasing
floating figures of animals.
The Westby band furnished excellent
music between eveuts and words Of
eonmendaticl we-e heard on every
hand. We hope the Westby band will
visit our city often In the future.
Refreshments Islands were every
where to supply the wants Of the hun
cry and thirsty thouands, and surely
the person who did not enjoy the day
at the fair grounds, WAS not ID the
mood for patriotic demonstration.