The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-05-16
CENTENNIAL YEAR
OF PERRY'S VICTORY
CITIES IN TEN STATES TO CELE-
BRATE ANNIVERSARY ON
A LARGE SCALE.
British Fleet Defeated on Lake
Erie One Hundred Years ACCOM-
modore Perry's Old Flagship,
niagara" Again Afloat and
Will Visit Lake Cities.
BY Joseph McC. Bell.

der General VIM. Henry Harrison,
which determined the future posses.
sion OF the then northwest terri
tory (now the states of Wisconsin,
Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and parts
of Ohio and Minnesota), will be cele-
brated in the Great Lakes states.
Commodore Perry's victory over the
British fleet September 10, 1913, was
a pivotal event of the War of 1912,
which turned the tide of British in
vasion and made it possible to drive
the invaders back into Canadian
territory beyond the line of the Great
Lakes. 1t gave the Americans the
supremacy of the water, without
which campaign by land could not
possibly have succeeded; and materi-
ally fastened the Treaty Of Client.
These epochal military events of
our second war for independence, and
the century Of unbroken peace with
Great Britain which has ensued, will
be celebrated in a manner worthy of
SO important a centennial, by ten par
ticipating states. A magnificent mem
orial monument Is to be erected in
Lake Erie overlooking the scene of
"Perry's Victory" towards which the
United States government has appro-
priated $3.50, 900. Each Of the partici-
pating states either has appropriated
or is expected to appropriate funds,
for the double purpose of erecting
this memorial and OF celebrating on
q large scale and in fitting manner
the important historical events above
referred to- Commissioners have been
appointed in the eight states border
ing on the Great Lakes and in the
commemorative of Rhode Island and
Kentucky
Rhode Island was the native state
of Commodore oliver Hazard Perry,
the principal figure in the Battle of
Lake Erie, and from this New Eng
land mother-country of the great
northwest, came many of the sailors
who manned his feet in that crucial
conflict, as well as the artisans who
were largely responsible for its build
ing. Kentucky furnished a large
proportion of the soldiers in General
Harrison's northwestern campaign,
the brilliant success of which hung
upon the victory of the Rhode Island
commander.
The centennial celebration of the
events proposed to be commemorated
will extend to all the principal ports
on the Great Lakes, and to such other
cities in the states participating as
may desire to locally commemorate the
events of the War of 1872. The COM
missioners have announced that the
enterprise, wherever it's spirit may
be emphasized, Shall take the form
of an historical, educational, military,
naval and patriotic celebration"
The military aspect of the celebra-
ton, from an historical standpoint,
will take due cognizance OF General
Harrison's march through Ohio to the
Lakes, his embarkation on board
Perrys feet, his liberation of Detroit
and his invasion OF Canada, culminat-
ing In the browning success Of his cam
paign at the battle Of the Thames. The
present physical boundaries Of all the
states bordering on the Great Lakes,
are due to these military operations,
which were rendered possible by Per
rvs victory, and the commissioners
have faith that the present generation
of their citizens will welcome the cp-
portunity offered by the proposed
series of celebrations to pay tribute
to the heroes who thus laid the foun-
dations of future greatness in the en-
- fIa nd h
west.
The naval aspect Of the Centennial,
historically considered, furnishes, OF
course, the keynote for the celebra-
ton. The commissioners for the state
Of Pennsylvania are at present en-
gagged in restoring the wreck of the
flagship Niagara" of Perry's feet,
which has lain for nearly a century at
the bottom of the harbor at Erie,
Pennsylvania, where it was built. This
little vessel of about 500 tons burden,
will be conscientiously rebuilt and re-
fitted to look as nearly as possible like
the unframed brig to which Perry
transferred his battle flag after the
destruction /of the Lawrence" and
with which ne turned tne Clue OIL Qe-
feat into victory. In that 1t is an act
ual survivor Of the battle, fought Gen.
fury ago, it will be perhaps the most
remarkable exhibit of the kind ever
shown at an historical celebration In
this country.
This relic of our wooden, square
rugged navy of 1872 will be conveyed
to the various ports on the Great
Lakes during July, August and Sep
TENDER, 1913, by centennial feet of
more modern war vessels, which will
include the naval militia boats and
crews of the lake states, and the par
ticipation OF many yacht clubs and
motor boat associations from both salt
and fresh water localities. The visit
OF the neet In rotation to the various
ports will be the signal for the COM
mencement Of festivities and celebra-
ton In each, concluding with impress
siye ceremonies and observances OF
the anniversary of the battle on Sep
TENDER 10th at Put-in-Bay, where the
Perry memorial Is now in course OF
construction.