The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-04-21
FiFTiETH ANNIVERSARY.
Celebration a Great Suocess-A Day
Of Patriotic Happiness-Owosso
Honors Veterans,

No even the rain dampened the spirit
of patriotic enthusiasm brought to the
city Wednesday by the gathering of
civil war veterans who came to cele-
brate the semi-centennial of the first
enlistment of troops in this city in re-
sponse to the call of President Lincoln
for troops. Many of the veterans were
accompanied by their wives and mem
bers of the G. A. r.. the w. r. G. and
the citizens of Owosso-old and young
seemed to vie with each other in the
endeavor to make the day memorable
one. Well arranged plans had been
perfected by Owosso citizens for the
days entertainment and they were car
ried out in most successful manner,
not thing being left undone to con-
tribute to the comfort and pleasure of
the large gathering of visitors, all of
whom declared the celebration a great
success. The morning hours were de-
voted to the registration of visitors at
the headquarters of the q. A. r. in
their hall and of the ladies at the head
quarters of the w. r. c. in the /. o. o.
F. temple, the distribution of badges
and at noon dinner was served the
honored guests of the day at the sever
al hotels and restaurants. At 30 the
veterans to the number of $50 formed
in line, headed by the Bennington fife
and drum corps, and marched to the
high school building, the auditorium
being crowded to its utmost capacity
by visitors and citizens. The exercises
Of the afternoon were in charge of
Supt. W. E. Hanson, who welcomed
the guests and said no better lesson in
patriotism could be given to the boys
and girls of today than was afforded by
their presence on such an occasion.
Addresses were given by Duane @.
Cooper on behalf of Quackenbush Post,
Mrs. Sarah Wiley for the Woman's
Relief Corps, George d. Sidman of
Philadelphia, (who suggested the cele-
bration and who was present at the
meeting on April 10, 1851 in this city
and was accepted as drummer boy for
the company then organized), Mrs. Ada
Hall, department president of the w.
r. G. of Michigan, and s. j. Lawrence,
department commander of the G. A. R.
of the state. The talks were listened
to with much interest by all. During
the afternoon music was furnished by
high school students and the Benning-
ton fife and drum corps, the high school
"yell' being the last on the program.
In the evening a camp fire" was
held at the L. o. o. F. temple which
had been appropriately decorated and
the building was none too large for
those who wished to be present. Pre-
ceding the exercises, the city band gave
an open air concert and during the
evening rendered several patriotic airs
Ex- Mayor w. D. Burke presided, the
Choral Union under the direction of A.
E. Ferry rendered several pleasing
selections and led the audience in
the singing of America" and '"The
Battle Hymn of the Republic. After
the invocation by Rev Thomas fowler.
Rev. G. II. Hanks welcomed the sci
diers, referred to their services for their
country and to the debt of gratitude we
Of today owe those who went to the
front during the sixties. Department
Commander Lawrence, Dept. Pres.
Mrs. Hall, Geo. d. Sidman, Alfred B.
Crane, and Supt. w. E. Hanson were
the speakers of the evening, the two
latter being called on after the close of
the regular program.
Space prevents the giving Of even
brief report of the addresses.