Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-06-22

''For the past twenty years the an
nual decrease of membership by
death and other causes has averaged
80 per year. l have reports from 1919
of the POP post commanders.
death has made sad inroadS upon
them during the five months to the
number of 1877, being an average Of
one comrade every eighteen hours"
At the close of the afternoon ses-
sion a committee was on motion ap-
pointed to bring Louis Marchetti,
chairman of the citizens committee,
before the Encampment. Captain
Charles II. Henry informed that gen.
tie man and brought him before the
assembly, where he was introduced
by Commander S. A. Cook and in
formed that he was elected by the G.
A. r. department of Wisconsin as an
honorary member. This very unusual
honor almost staggered the gentle
man and he was hardly able to reply
and express his thanks. At the con-
cluSiOn of his few words, the whole
assembly at the instance of the Com
mander arose in their seats and gave
three rousing cheers and tiger which
could be heard all over the square.
The great feature of the day was
the parade, in which all the veterans
took part. 1t formed at the city hall,
with the marshal, Major Herman
Abraham, ably seconded by his aids,
II. e. Schiller and E. f. Braatz, mount
ed, leading, the mayor and city coun-
Gil following on foot, then came the
first float, Columbia with eight Indian
maidens, representing North Amer
lea; another float holding forty-eight
past graduates of the high school,
then came Co. G, followed by the
Sons of Veterans, escorting the vet
Grams of the G. A. b., then about 100
children from to Is years forming
flag, representing the 48 states of the
union.
Third and Fourth streets were
closed during the parade by ordi-
nance, but the pressure from people
lining the whole street was so great
that the people could not wholly be
confined to standing on the side
walk, but encroached on the street
and it was with difficulty that room
enough was cleared to allow the chill
dren. forming the living flag, to pass
on. 1t was necessary to have the
whole use of the street for the chill
dren, because, to get the effect, they
had to march 26 abreast, which, even
as close as possible, would take up Sc
feet. A reviewing stand was erected
at the corner of Third and Franklin
streets for the occupation of the Com
manderS and staff, and then the
parade moved up to Fourth street,
thence to Jefferson and there divided.
The first division embracing the civil
authorities, the floats and children's
flag, moved up to Forest street,
thence down Third and up again to
Franklin where it disbanded; the
second division, beginning with COG,
w. n. g., swung into Jefferson street
] from Fourth, and allowed the S. of V.
| to pass, then the veterans of the G.
A. R., whom they saluted, standing at
present arms" while they passed,
and then the veterans passed into
Third street, lining up the whole
length of the street between Jefferson
and Scott in order to let the chill
| dren'S flag pass through them. 1t is
said that some of the veterans were
blOckaded on Jefferson street, and
could not reach Third, because of
the thrOng of people, which is to be
! regretted, as it was intended that all
of them should have the sight of that
beautiful spectacle. However, as it
was, some allowance must be made
for the great throng of people which
was on the streets, never before wit
messed on any occasion in Wausau,
and far beyond the control of the few
police officers When the parade
started up Third street with the
floats, the multitude cheered which
marched by and increased in volume
as the veterans followed them up
Third street. The G. A. R., on their
march, were the recipients of an ova-
ton as only Wausau people can give,
and they enjoyed it heartily.
FEATURES OF THE PARADE.
No boasting announcements were
made of the arrangements that would
make the parade of the G. A. r.
memorable one in WauSau. and they
came as complete surprise to the
people.
The parade was headed by the city
authorities, all afoot, including the
Mayor, which was something out of
the ordinary, but the council would
not stay behind the veterans who had
declined transportation.
The floats following, neatly con-
Strueted, presented a beautiful ap-
pearance; one was a symbolic repre-
sentation of America before the ap-