Putnam patriot., 1914-10-30
A NIGHT AND DAY
Connolly Celebration Big Success and
 Much Enjoyed
Parade, Entertainment. Banquet, Base
 Ball and Presentation

The celebration in honor of Joe Con- molly, left fielder of the Boston Nation al base ball club, champions of the world, formerly pitcher for the c. A. C. of Putnam, beginning last Friday evening and ending Saturday evening, was the best planned and most sue eessfully carried out public celebration ever .held in this city and the credit Is due to Frank II. Cordier, who planned the affair, and the committee of ar engagements of which he was the chair man. If Connolly has never before known how dear he is to the heart of Putnam fandom he certainly has cause to know it now. They look upon him as celebrated parsonage and feel that they stand in the edge of the light of his glory as 1t was here In this city that he first broke into base ball pro fessionaily. This was in 1907 when he became the pitcher of the local team. They respect him both as great base ball player and as man. lie is clean morally, physically and as player. He neither uses intoSicants nor tobac- co and therefore his eye is bright, his hand Is steady, his brain works quick ly and he is always fit at n moments notice to step into game however im- portant. It was to such man that hundreds of Putnam people did hom- age al the weekend celebration.
 Connolly arrived In the city on the 7.l6 train. A passenger on the same train who saw the large gathering, the red fire, heard the band and cheering, asked a bystander if the president of the United States was on the train. IT it had been the chief executive of the nation he could not have been accord- ed warmer welcome. Union square was alive with people and 1t was brightly illuminated with burning red fire. The Catholic band was playing q lively air and the crowd was cheer. ing as Connolly, wearing the smile that obtained for him the subriquet, "Smiling Joe,n in this city, stepped out on the platform and came down the car steps. The reception commit- tee, Frank II. Cordier, Rev. C. ]. Har- riman, William Donovan, Ralph Bradford, Charles Gagne, Armand Farley and William Fuller, Jr., were all but lost in the large gathering.
 A number of young men in full Indian regaia and war paint were also on hand--a la Royal Rooters--and added 10 the din and noise with whoops and dances. Everyone wanted to get to Connolly at once and shake his hand. He was with difficulty piloted across Union Square to the Putnam Inn, from where, after brief informal reception in the hotel lobby, he was led to the first automobile in the auto mobile parade. The autos contained the various committees, base ball play CTS, speakers and others. Mayor Mac donald was unavoidably absent. The parade covered the greater part of the city and red fire was burned along the way while there was cheer after cheer for the .honored guest of the evening. Never was warmer welcome accorded any parsonage in this city. The parade returned to the front of the Bradley theatre where big performance Was carried out in Connolly's honor.
 A large crowd had assembled at the theatre. In fact 1t was packed. The advent of Connolly and party brought the audience to it's feet. The band played selection before the show be- gan. Connolly and party occupied the eft.haDd lower box and across the way sat the Indians. Twice during the performance Judge Fuller intfo- dueed the guest Of the evening To the audience and cheers were given. Con. nolly arose both times and bowed his owledgment. 4 special base ball picture was shown and Maftineli sang a ballad nMikep Duffy in song and monoIogue made big hit wit h the audience with bis own compost tions hitting on the hero of the occa- sion and the national game
 Following the performance came the banquet at the Putnam Inn at which over 100 tickethodefs sat down. Con- molly sat at the center of the south table facing the gathering. The menu was an excellent one and we'll served. After cigars had been lighted Toast master l.. H. Fuller opened the post prandial program. He lauded the guest Of the evening and said that he had thought the Athletics would win the series but had been converted, credited Joe with winning. which brought forth applause, told how it was Connolly happened to pitch for Pnlnan and conpiimented sthe corn mittee Of arrangements. He then cal- led upon C. ;. Andem, president of the Business Mems Aszoeiation, who said in part: ssIL is pleasant to wei come one who Is real ball player, meaning all that that term contains II is impossible that there could have been weak spot anywhere in that fighting team and when we have one of that team with us We can feel that he is entitled to every bit of that hon or. Applause if Joe Connolly had bad n weak spot the Braves coasd nos have won. fApplause,l Se Is born