Omaha daily bee., 1910-09-06
JOYOUS DAY FOR VETERANS
Five Thousand Germans Have Merry
Time at Seymour Park,
MAYOR DAHLMAN IS POPULAR
Wins the Lnndwehr Verein Members
by Hts Attitude in Favor of Per-
sOnaI Libcrty-HoIder of
Iron Cross Speaks.

Seymour park the old home of George
L. Miller never looked more charming
than il did yesterday as the setting for
the festivities Of the last day Of the west
Krieger Bund. The German double eagle
and the red, white and black Of the Ger
man flag entwined with the stars and
stripes blended beautifully with the green
black ground OF trees
The families OF the German veterans,
approximatng 5000 in numbers, brought
their basket-dinners to the park and
throughout the long day enjoyed them
selves as only true Germans can. There
was dancing for the young, story swapping
for the old and music and speech-making
| for all
! Mayor Dahlman was the principal
speaker, making a strong appeal for per-
sonal liberty and promising that II elected
he would vote any county option bill or
J other piece OF sumptuary legislation which
might come beore him. He also compli-
metned the Germans highly as men who
| had taken a mighty part in the building
up of our land.
The mayor could hardly speak for the
applause and almost before he had fin
ished the crowd picked him up bodily
and carried him to the dining tent, where
the women had prepared a sumptuous
dinner. At a straw vote taken later he
received every vote.
Iron Cross Man Talks.
Several prominent Germans made short
addresses. Edward Gurski, who was a
captain in the bodyguard OF William l, a
company in which every man was over
six feet tall, made short speech endors-
ing. "Unsern freund jim"
Charley Schartaw, who has been a citi-
zen of Omaha for many years, also made
a few remarks Mr.. Schartaw is the only
man in Nebraska, and one Of only a very
Nsw in the United States, who wears the
iron cross, a decoration presented by the
emperor, himself, for exceptional valor in
action. In the battle Of Gravelotte, August
Is, 1870, in which engagement the Germans
lost $1,000 men, Mr.. Schartaw with inly nino
men took a battery of gatling guns. Mr..
Krupp, Germans great gun manufacturer
once said that he would give all of his
millions for an iron cross.
Camerad Engler of Nemaha county, re-
sponded to the address of Mayor Dahlman.
Felix Grabowsky of Benson and julius S
Cooley also made short speeches.
During the afternoon the Omaha Manner
choir rendered some very fine selections
Henry Lotz' band gave a military concert
throughout the afternoon, on one occasion
accompanying the singers which drew great
applause.
National Meeting Coming Here.
Next year. according to Charles Eppen,
president of the Omaha bund. the great
Central Verbund will hold its convention in
Omaha. The Central Verbund comprises all
the societies in the United States and Mr..
Epplen expects that there will be 1900 dele
gates alone in the city.
Ali the old officers of the Westlicher
Kriegerbund were reelected. They are: A.
F. Mertens, South Omaha, president; r. E.
Hinrichs, Jansen, Neb, vice president;
Ernest KONG. 170S North Twenty-fifth
street. South Omaha, secretary; I. F. Mar
thun. Denison, Iowa, financial secretary;
Hans Wiese. Bennington, treasurer.