Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-28
RAIN NO BAR TO
SUCCESS OF The
1900 DEDICATION
Thousands, Undeterred by the
Shower, Stick Through
for the Big Doings.
SIZE OF CROWD OBSTACLE
Makes Clearing Space for the Dane
ers DiffieuIt-Souvenir Stock
Quickly Taken.

The dedication Of the 1900 block last
evening was fully as great a success
as had been hoped for. The merchants
were pleased and so were the thou
sands who turned out to take part IN
the festivities. The affair was. in fact,
far In advance OF expectations for a
time early in the evening.
While the parade was in progress
and the crowd was gathering-at what
might be called the psychological mo
ment-old ]. Pluv. butted in. Rain fell
for 30 minutes in a steady shower
which seemed destined to keep up all
night Hundreds who had intended
being present were thus kept at home
and the early part of the program was
somewhat interfered with.
But nevertheless, the weather jinx
was dealing with a wrong bunch when
1t thought to force away the people
already congregated in the block. Like
the merchants of the association. they
were "stickers" who hied themselves
TO some sheltering place and patiently
waited until old J. Pluv. let up. Then
the interrupted merriment burst forth
with renewed vigor and continued I'M
til II o'clock.
Crowd Gathers Early.
As early as $50 o'clock the crowd
began gathering on Second avenue be-
tween Sixteenth and Seventeenth
streets. Scores OF men, women and
children moved back and forth on each
side. awaiting for the festivities to
start.
Threatening clouds hung low in the !
sky. but undaunted by the indications 4
of approaching Indictment weather, the /
officers OF the 1900 Block association |
went ahead with the final arrange |
ments for the parade, and after several
numbers by StroehIe's band the parade /
started shortly after 1880 o'clock.
Once the program commenced the |
crowd was there to stay. They were
game TO stick If the merchants were, :
and the latter went right ahead with |
the same snap that has marked their !
plans thus far.
While the parade was in progress |
the rain commenced TO fall rather
heavily. II had sprinkled lightly be-
fore and had driven some. who were
enroute TO the block. back. to their
homes. but the second fall lasted much
longer and the result was that hun
dreds and perhaps thousands were
deferred from coming. The parade
was led by a platoon OF police and
Bleuer's band. 1000 block merchants
following in autos and covering Sec
ond and Third avenues between Fiji
teenth and Twentieth streets.
Following the parade the crowds
made a tour of the business places
where they received souvenirs from
the mberchants. The little gifts in all
cases were appropriate and of the
variety which will be preserved and
by the recipients.
Souvenirs Soon Gone.
Half an hour after the business men ,
giving away souvenirs the :
supply became exhausted, and as all ,
II the merchants had prepared for a 6
arge number of visitors. it can easily +,
De seen that the event was a success =
rom the standpoint of the size of the !,
,rowd.
The dancing was quite the unique
eature of the evenings entertainment. :,
The crowds filed into the avenue at the :,
tart and greatly hampered this form
f pastime. About 8 O'Clock. however. q
Fhen the band struck up that tango a
easer, Tres Moutarde." several cou- :,
les responded 10 the invitation to
ance. Crowds congregated on the -
venue around the dancers and al =
1ough IN effort was made TO clear a r.
'ay, little could be accomplished as =,
ne number was too large to be <
andled in a single block When back -
q against the curbing in one place, -
le people were forced to crowd into -
le ~ -uc in another. -
Good Spirit Shown. ar
The spirit OF goodfellowship reigned 10
lpreme. Confetti was freely used VI
I'D other harmless amusement devices to