Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-08-11
NINTH ANNUAL HOME
COMING A SUCCESS
MANY VISITORS PARTICIPATE
IN ANNUAL GATHERING.
May Be the Last of the HOmeCOm-
inQ-PreSident Wertheimer Will
call Meet ng to Determine-Mdy-
or CRUDE Suggests Holding the
Same During Inter County Fair.

The ninth annual homecoming which
ended Sunday evening, was success in
all that the term implies, nOtwithstand-
| ing that the task of carrying out the
plans for the event fell unon the shOul-
ders of very few. While the attend
ance of former residents was not what
| it has been in recent years, there was a
large gathering, nevertheless, many
coming from nearby towns to swell the
crowds, making the appearance of be-
ing many hOmecOmers. The falling off
in the representation of former resi-
dents is explained to some extent in the
fact that many have been attracted here
during the summer on various Occa-
siOns.
%sAs stated, there were large number
Of visitors in the city, especially on Sun
day. when Tivoli Island was thrOnged
to its utmost. Sunday, the program
opened with a reception of guests as
they arrived in the city on regular and
special trains. The arrivals were es-
corted from the depot by the officers of
the Homecoming association, the Mill
tary. Imperial and Winninger Bros.
bands joining in the parade in the fore
noon. The parade to the island took
place at 1 80 p. m.
The homecoming was ushered in Sat-
urday evening, when ihe feature was an
Illuminated automobile parade, in which
the Watertown fire department partici-
pated, the inspiration for the occasion
being furnished by the Military and I'm
perial bands. A blaze of red light
marked the line of travel, making the
scene very spectacular one. The dec
Grating of the roadway and business
buildings also contributed to the spec
tacle. Some of the automobiles in the
parade were beautifully decorated, es-
pecially the one in use at ST. Mary's hos
pital, which was occupied by the nurses.
The literary feature of the homecom-
ing was the homecoming address, de-
Iivered at TivOli island Sunday after
noon by Attorney Lynn H. Smith of JEFF
ferson, whose topic was Homecoming
and It's AssOciationp" Throughout his
remarks, Mr.. Smith spoke feelingly of
the love one holds for his natal city, re-
ferring to the spirit and zeal which had
contributed to keep alive the custom in
Watertown, the first city in the middle
west to inaugurate the plan. The ad-
dress of welcome was delivered by Mayor
CRUDE, in which all were bid a hearty
welcome. An address was also given by
Charles Pettibone of Waupun, in which
he recalled a number of important and
interesting incidents of the pioneer
days.
This year brought large gathering
of the members of the Thirty year club.
However, there was no formal meeting
of the organization for the reason that
John Bruegger of Williston, N. D., presi-
dent of the club, was unable to be pres
ent, owing to the fact that he was de-
tanned at home on important business.
James NeIlins of Minneapolis, secretary
of the club. was also unable to be pres
ent. While no business session Of the
club was held. those who came found
pleasure in the regular celebration of
the day and telling "reminiscences of the
past.
There have been a number of rumors
ahoat regarding the plans of the Home
coming association for the future. The
Milwaukee Free Press published a
"story" Monday morning, built largely
on Imagination, to the effect that the
ninth annual homecoming would prob
ably be the last, or that the gatherings
might thereafter be theld biennially.
President Wertheimer states that he will
call meeting Of the officers of the as
sOciation within few days and at that
time it will be decided what action will
be taken. It is true that there has been
a growing lack Of enthusiasm, partica-
larly this year. Meetings of the com,
mittees have been poorly att ended and
the burden of the work has fallen on the
shoulders of a very few. President
Wertheimer, who has been jealous
worker from the initial homecoming, an
nounces that this year is his last and
that he will retire from the presidency.
Otto Rose has the distinction of com
ing the farthest to attend the homecom
ing. He came from Douglas. Alaska. E
| O, Boggs of Memphis, Tenn, was also
present at the gathering. Mr.. Boggs
was formerly an aviator with the Cur.
tiss forces and now operates an ArbO
gast biplane.
Mayor CRUDE, with others, advance:
the idea that in the future, it would bt
a good plan to hold the homecoming dur
ing the fair, having one day designated
as Watertown homecoming day. 1t il
barely probable that the suggestion ma.
be carried out.
S. E. Green and wife, Milwaukee.
Frederick Werner, Chicago.
Dewitt c. Carr, Milwaukee.
George Bailey and wife, Milwaukee
: Mr.. and Mrs G. w. Norris, Wauke
sha.