Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-01-13
Addresses by Wesley Martin, ]. L,
Kamrar, Mayor Wickware,
Geo. w. Bell and Others.
COL. G. w. CR0sLEY CHAIRMAN
Other Celebrations of Like Nature
Congressman Dolliver Makes
Address.

FROM the HlStoFy u I1dWlIIoA
County by F. @. and j. w. Lee: The
second grand opening of Rosencrans
park is described by The Freeman as
follows:
The second annual opening of
Rosencrans park occurred last Fri
day. The day was beautiful type
of June weather in this latitude; the
roads were never better, and every
thing seemed to work together for
good in making pleasant gala-day
for Webster City. About 10 a. m.
the two brass bands met excursion
trains on both the Illinois Central
and Chicago and Northwestern
roads, from the north, east and west,
bringing to this city, together with
those who came on the early morn
ing trains, upwards of three hundred
eXcursiOnists. 1t was estimated, and
we think about correctly, too, that
at one time during the day, there
were over three thousand people at
the park, enjoying the shade, drink
ing the water, and having a good
time generally at that popular re-
sort. The order of the exercises was
somewhat belated and disarranged
on account of the enforced absence
of Hon. G. B. Pray, who had been
appointed chairman of the day, and
Judge D. D. Chase, who was to have
made the address. But under the
MANAGEMENT of Capt. Lewis Crary,
who had charge, and Col. George
". Crosley, who CHANGED to be
in the city and who was made chair
man, order soon came out of chaos.
The band of little girls selected to
represent the thirty years of Mr..
Rosencrans' residence in this city,
together with our two brass bands,
provided music for the occasion to
the satisfaction and delight of all
present. At about II O'Clock the
throng was called to order and the
following exercises ensued Prayer,
by Rev. L. n. Call, after which Hon.
Wesley Martin was called upon to
respond to the toast: Nov and
Then" which had been previously
designed as counterpart to one
which was to have been given by
Hon. w. C. Wilson, who was also
unavoidably absent. But always be-
ing equal to the emergency, Mr..
Martin stepped forward and respond
ed in words that provoked loud
laughter. He narrated his first ar
rival in this city--then small vii
lage-his early hardships; his being
admitted to the bar by Judge Brad
ley: of his being recommended by
Judge D. D. Miracle in an odd and
facetious manner. He then passed
on over period of one hundred
years, and with his vivid magma
ton, pictured Webster City as a
great metropolis of many thousand
people; of this great resort, and Of
a centennial reunion and grand
opening of the park-the vast null
titude being addressed by the presi-
dent of the United States, etc. While
all this was pure imagination, there
was an ingenuity displayed of great
interest to all. But space forbids
further mention. This was followed
by Mayor Wickware, who responded
to the toast Mineral to the front
and whiskey to the rear In his
own interesting, original style. he
said many pithy things in the five
minutes allotted him. He referred
to the pure spring which bubbled up
from the surface of the earth near
the dead line at Andersonville
prison, at time when the soldiers
were all about to perish for water
and his apt comparison Of the pro-
prietor of Rosencrans park to the
prophet at Horeb, who miraculously
brought 1OrCn water lOT HIS ldlHlihS
followers, was taking hit His lit
tie speech was happily put ant
heartily received Hon. J. l.. Kan.
rar responded to the toast 1.-THE
Mineral Springs--Webster City:
Pride" He paid fine tribute-a:
did all the speakers--to Mr.. Rosen
Grams, through whose energy thu
park and flowing wells have been OBJ
tanned, and spoke of the great pride
and satisfaction manifested by oul
people over the possession Of Thu
beautiful park with its health-givin,
waters. During the few remarks h.
made he referred to the minera
wells as "a beautiful quartette o
flowing waters Another toast
Mature Developed Man. was re