Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1911-06-08
A Big CROWD, Big TIME
THE SCANDINAVIAN CELE.
BRATION GREAT SUCCESS
1900 VISITORS PARTICIPATE
Several Hundred School Child
rem Carrying Flags of Differ
- ent Nations a Feature of
the Parade-AbIe Ad.
dresses-Fine Music

Yesterday saw one of the largest
crowds Webster has ever entertained.
The occasion being the Scandinavian
celebration held in this city as per pre-
vious announcement. Practically every
part of Day county was represented, as
we'll as many other counties in the
state.
Frank Anderson acted as president of
the day, and introduced Mayor Frank
Mohs, who delivered the address of
welcome. Mr.. Mohs in a few well
chosen words very happily made it
known to everybody that Webster was
receiving them with open arms. Mr..
Mohs, upon this occasion, as upon pre-
vious ones, manifested that he was
amply equal to the occasion and Web
ster has reason to feel proud of him.
On account of the unavoidable
absense of Governor Vessey, Lieuten-
ant Governor Frank M. Byrnes, of
Faulkton, spoke in his stead. Mr..
Byrne, taking into consideration the
fact that he was called on short notice
and had practically no time to make
any preparation, made a most excellent
address. His speech was full of good
sense and evidenced knowledge of
Scandinavian history, connected with
the event which was being commemo-
rated. His speech was well received.
The next speaker was Rev. Jonas
Johnson, of Webster, who spoke in the
Swedish language. Mr.. Johnson held
his audience from the beginning to
end. His subject was ''Norden Folk
den Gamla och den Nya Verlden. This
subject he handled very cleverly and
at times assembled lofty peaks of
patriotic eloquence. He showed how
the Scandinavian people were of one
people and belonged to one family and
maintained that there was no reason
for strife, and expressed his pleasure
at the fact that the feeling between
these people was becoming more and
more brotherly as the years went on.
His address was exceedingly well
received. The next speaker was Hon.
John l.. Erickson, of Sioux Falls, pri-
vate secretary of Senator Crawford.
Mr.. Erickson's speech was IN the
Norwegian language and was bristling
with wit, humor and hard common
sense.
The consensus of opinion is that the
music rendered upon this occasion was
all that could be desired. The Webster
and Groton bands, under the leadership
of Professor Ireland, of Madison, were
complimented for the music rendered.
The Griegs, of Canton, consisting of
twenty-five men received an almost
continuous ovation. They showed much
= raining and their rendering of the
national songs of the Northland was so
able and artistic that il carried every
body by storm.
That Webster is well and ably rep
resented in the musical world was evil
denced by the selections rendered by
the choir of the Norwegian Lutheran
church, led by Mrs. Frank Anderson.
That our home talent was appreciated
was evidenced by the well merited
applause which they received. 1t was
freely expressed that they were the
finest aggregation of singers overheard
in this part of the state.
One of the most notable features of
the celebration was the school chill
dren's parade, which was organized by
County Superintendent Hetley. The
parade formed at the school house and
marched up through Main street, to
the court house square. In this parade
the Griegs, of Canton, took part, carry
ing their red, white and blue umbrellas
and two flags, one of America and one
of Norway. The parade was headed by
John Ray, carrying old glory. Imme-
diately to the right and little back of
him came Henry Johnson, carrying a
Norwegian flag and to the left and back
Elof Hawkinson carried the Swedish
flag
After the speeches at the court honse
grounds, the band led the crowd down
to the ball grounds where they watched
Webster trim the Lily boys in a good
old fashioned way to the ttune of Is to
5. doc" Hillebrand and Ray Coopea
started the game for Webster, and
Sith the exception of one inning had
the Lily boys cracking their backs try
ing to connect with the famous Docs
Drop" In the sixth Webster had so
many scores and the game cinched,