The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-07-07
At ARMORY
HOME COMING Event
Former Residents of Mankato
Were in Attendance
PROGRAM Dr. EVENING
Music and Song and Addresses
BY Several WeII-known
Gentlemen

SHOULD auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind,
Should auld Acquaintance be forgot,
and days O. aud lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear, for
auld lang sy1le,
Well TAX a cup o'Ekindness yet, for
auld lang synf."
Smiles and hand, lasps, and kindly
greetings from deaf, familiar friends
of long ago, "reminiscences of by-g gone
days, and the glad hospitable spirit
of the present characterized the re-
ception held in honor of the visitors
in the city at Mankato armory Monday
night The gates of3the city had been
thrown wide open TO everyone, and
the key had been dropped in the Min
nesota river. Mankato was in her best
holiday garb to meet old friends and
new ones, and extended the heartiest
of welcomes. This was the first home
coming celebration ever held in the
city, and in answer to the invitations
sent broadcast throughout the United
States by the home coming committee
a generous response had come, and
hundreds of former residents had come
"home" and had found a welcome
awaiting them in the homes of friends,
place in the heart of the household
being theirs for the asking. During
the afternoon the old settlers picnic
at the Armory had formed a pleasant
meeting place for the renewing of old
acquaintance, and the evening en-
tertainment was we'll attended by pio-
neers, former residents, as we'll as
visitors, citizens and young people, all
deeply interested in this memorable
event.
The platform swag heaHtifu lIN-Saecoss
rated with floral tfshates donated for
the occasion by the florists of the city,
and flags and bunting were used in
lavish profusion, making the vivacious
scene one of patriotism as well as
beauty
Lorin Cray Presided.
Judge Lorin Cray, one of the sturdy
pioneers of early days, whose achieve
ments have marked a life of usefulness
and public spirited endeavor, presided
as chairman Of the evening, and called
the meeting to order. He regretted
that the hall was not provided with
more chairs in order that everyone
might be seated, and with remarks
appropriate to the occasion soon made
everyone feel perfectly at home. He
introduced Judge w. L. Comstock, who
delivered the address of welcome
The audience greeted each speaker
enthusiastically, applauding their re-
marks, and the glad hand being
strongly evidenced throughout the
evening.
Welcome BY Judge Comstock.
"We bid you the welcome of our
hearts," said Judge COmstock, to his
attentive audience. with that sin
cerity of friendship characteristic of
the old pioneers, the people of Man
cato today are extending deep, pro-
found, and heartfelt greetings, like
those of old that some of you so we'll
remember. The florists of the city have
given the beautiful flowers you see
here on the platform to add to your
pleasure, the brave boys of Company
H, Minnesota National Guard, now at
Fort Smelling, having given the
use Of the armory for this oc-
casion, and the flags which
you see everywhere. Tomorrow
is the anniversary of the Day of In
dependence, and it is fitting that while
Continued on Page Two.