Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-22
ROCK ISLANDERS
make INVASION
OF COAL VALLEY
Local Boosters Go to Home
Coming Celebration in
Large Numbers.
OBSERVE TRI-cITY DAY
Moline and Davenport Both Represent
ed by continsent-8is
Crowds Yesterday.

Rock Island boosters descended up
on Coal Valley today in a body to ad-
vertise the city and participate in the
home coming exercises. Today is Tri-
City and Neighboring Towns day. and
big delegations from Moline and Dav-
export also made the trip.
A number OF local business men
made the journey in automobiles, pro-
fusely decorated with banners and
remnants. bearing the slogan, TRY
Rock Island First" Others left on
The morning train, but the largest dele
cation departed on the lis train this
afternoon. There was some talk OF
chartering a special train, but mas
much as the time was so limited in
which 70 make arrangements, and the
'arious business men had not notified
the committee OF their intentions 10
20. this was abandoned Local men
all wore badges advertising Rock Is
land.
BIC CROWD YESTERDAY.
More people turned out for Coal
Valleys home coming exercises yes
to-day than on any previous day OF
he week. The afternoon program at
the park opened with music by a mar
tai band from Moline. II being old sol
dters' day. Rev r. s. Haney. presi-
dent Of the meeting. then offered pray
or and introduced T. J. Murphy, who.
~ course, needs no introduction to the
people OF Coal Valley. nor 10 those OF
any other community nearby when a
meeting is held 10 recall the DAYS of
81. Mr.. Murphy was a member OF
Company II. 126th Illinois volunteers,
which was recruited at Coal Valley al.
most exactly so years ago. and he
read the roll OF that company. OF the
90 original members 80 are known by
Mr.. Murphy TO be dead. Only two now
live in Coal Valley and but four an
swered 10 the roll call yesterday. Mr..
Murphy said that almost every able
bodied male resident OF the village
served In the army $50 going TO the
front from there. When he came home
on furlough near the end OF the war
he said he knew few OF the men he
saw. for the reason that the war had
almost completely changed the popula.
ton OF the place.
SAW LINCOLN SHOT.
There was z vocal solo by Mrs. Ev-
ans and then Comrade J. j. Scholes
past commander Of Graham post, G. A.
T. OF Moline, told Of the assassination
OF Lincoln. having been in attendance
at Fords theatre on the fateful night,
and having, together with others of his
company. been detailed TO follow
Booth. the assassin. which they did,
being able 70 keep the trail till they
secured the horses that he had aban.
doncd
Another solo by Mrs. Evans. and
then L. y. Buck OF Rock Island, past
commander OF the department OF II.
hnois, Was called upon for a few re-.
marks. Mr. Buck said too little at.
lenion was paid 70 the heroism Of the
women during war time. These were
left at home 70 bear the worry and
TO keep the family together. often al
The expense OF extreme toll and hard
ship, while the men were fighting for
Their country and getting all the glory
The women heroes OF the Sos. said
Mr.. Buck, deserved at least as much
as the men at the front
Rena Ulman ana Dessa Cook. two
little Coal Valley girls, next sang The
same Old Starry Flag" Comrade Johr
Dewrose OF Moline. read an origina
poem, the theme OF which was tn,
Coal Valley home coming and ther
Comrade J. B. Laughery OF Mathers
vile sang a soldiers camp song. in
which he was helped ont by T. ]
Murphy This concluded the program
Then the Rock Island boosters and Os
co played baseball. the former win