Putnam patriot., 1915-07-02
WILLIMANTIC HAS HERGREATESTDAY
ThrOng of l5.000 Crowds Town
 for Civic Day Festivities
TAFT THE GUEST OF HONOR
Ex-president Speaks at Recreation Park After Viewing Parade-Vast Numbers Acclaim Guard Reoi-
 ment's Fine Appearance.

Willimantie-The clements favored Willmantic with beautiful day Tho early trains brought hundreds of peo- pie to town, and in due time along came the numerous bands and drum corps from neighborine cities. all of which were in line later on in the big parade A batch Of horses Tor the use of the military men arrived. and were put up at local stables.
 Automobiles were here by the hun dreds from miles around. Farmers who used to come to town to the an- nual fair. and got up before daylight to get into town. came in automobiles. Some of them came by team, driYing fin the old horse, and few came by "Shank's Mare"
 Every store and business house. from top to bottom. was gaily dec orated with the national eolors. and some very effective displays were no- ticed. More than one-half of the pri- vate residences swung out flags and bunting.
 15,ooo on Streets.
 nt lltOhSo Oii ttit ttt tARtlA lily forenoon indicated that every one who lived in Windham. or who had ever been to Windham. from miles around. had taken a day off and come in to help things along. A crowd conserva- lively estimated at 6.000 visitors were here, and with the local population there must have been t5000 people T other events. It was a day that will always be remembered and cherished by local people.
 Great credit is due the marshal of the parade. Frank P. Fenton. and his aides for the fine handling of the parade and particularly the care of the school children at the Recreation park. Here while they sang Amer icaa in front of the reviewing stand where former President William H. Taft and prominent men were seated, the local militia formed a eordon and kept the crowd away so that the little ones would not be trod upon Not a child was hurt.
 The parade got away only fifteen minutes later than scheduled. The First Regiment, under command of Colonel Richard ]. Goodman. arrived on a special train from Hartford at
 130. detrained at Bridge Street. and marched to Watson Street, thence to Valley and Windham, where they fell in at the head of the procession.
 The regiment received a lot of
 applause for it's fine arnearenee.
 Hateh's military band furnished the music for the first division. The sec. ond division comprised the various fire companies, with Colts band and the Governors Foot Guard band and the Nathan Hale drum corps of East Hampton.
 In the third division were many labor organizations and floats. Wheel er's American band furnished music for this division.
 The fourth division was the French division, who turned out in large mum bers, and with their various organlza tions made a fine showing. In the fifth division were floats of various organizations, and some of them were very handsome Particularly was this so of a float arranged by Professor Dennis F. Clifford, the Daughters oi the American Revolution. Court St Mary, Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows. also the Moose float. Polish Falcons Appear. The Polish Falcons and St. Joseph's societies came next in line, and made a fine appearance.
 In the ninth division were the school children, who marched in red, and ir white, and others in blue, featuring the American flag. Three hundred lit tie girls took part in this feature. and they were awarded most generous ap p1ause along the line.
 The tenth and last division contained automobiles and various floats. There were seven automobiles filled with for mer pupils of Professor Frank II Beede. of New Haven, with their cars labelled "Beedeites,' and wearing the name on hat bands.
 The Hon. William H. Taft reviewed the parade from a stand in front oi the town hall, and with him on the reviewing stand were Mayor Daniel
 r. Dunn, General Chairman George F. Taylor. the Rev William s. Beard. the Rev T. F. Ramon. First Seleetman Robert E. Mitchell Town Counsel Thomas J. Kelley. W. D. Grant M
 Eugene Lincoln, Allen B. Lincoln and others prominent in the affair
 The parade was just one hour in .-..eg,,, f,, ra.-saxr