South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-10-04
BIG CROWDS OUT
ON OPENING DAY
$4,000 Witness Civic Parade
While 5000 Attend Pag-
cant Performance.


opening days program OF south
Bends Indiana centennial celebra-
ton Tuesday Every event scheduI-
ed for the day moved of smoothly
from 1925 O'Clock in the afternoon
when the celebration was declared
officially opened and marked by the
sounding Of whistles and horns and
the ringing OF many bells through
out the city until the last light
hickered out at SpringbroOk park
late last night.
IL Is estimated that 25.OOQ people
saw tire civil professional pageant
which was presented during the aft
ernoon in one OF the most artistic
and extensive parades in South
Bends history. Another 5000 wit
messed the initial production OF the
great historical pageant at Spring
brook park last night which exceed
ed the expectations Of many as far
as staging acting and other essen
tials were concerned. The historical
pageant is one Of the most elabor-
ate thai has been staged in Indiana
during its centennial year and visit
ors declare that il equals if not
surpasses many similar events which
have been held IN other parts OF the
country.
Grand Stand Filled.
The mammoth grand stand at the
park was filled last night while the
bIeachers were well occupied. The
scene from the grand stand was
without doubt one Of the most arts
tic which has ever been arranged
in the city while the realism pOr-
trayed in the pageant production
brought much applause from the
spectators. St Joseph cOunty's his
tory from the time OF Father Mar
Quette and L.asaIle. the explorer
down until the present. was shown
in the pageant. the various episodes
Of which included events which
brought forth Pierre Navarro. Alex
Is Coquillard. LathrOp Taylor,
Schuyler Colfax, "Appleseed
Johnny and numerous other char
aCteTs familiar in the county's his
tory. other events portrayed the
Indian battles Of the early days
whose apparent realism almost chill
ed the blood. the happenings in
South Bend at the time Of the be-
ginning OF the civil war. the burn
ing OF Mishawaka. the departure of
the gold seekers OF 40 and SO and
many other occasions prominent in
he county's past development were
depicted for the many spectators
during the pageant
Lighting Effects Wonderful.
Great electrical search lights of
varied coiors played an important
part in the pageant. while the ar
rangemeHt of a miniature forest on
the race rack enclosure took one
back 10 the early days As a grand
finale for the pageant, more than
5000 people gathered in a semi
circle as the grand chorus which
was directed by II. Honey. With his
electrical baton, Director Roney
led his hundreds of proteges through
the musical program which closed
the evening performance. Red.
white. and blue intermingled with
umbrellas forming white stars made
the closing scene a beautiful exhi-
bitiOn.
To Pageant Director f. B. Barnes
and his assistants goes the greater
share Of the credit for the success
of the historical pageant Miller
hamilton and Emmett Lehman act
ed as Director Barnes aides and
participated in every scene, being
largely responsible for keeping the
scenes operating rapidly and with
out a hitch. Mr. Hamilton was in
three different costumes during the
evening. his presence among the cast
being necessary. Mr.. Barnes directed
the pageant at a telephone booth
from where he could reach nine
points on the ground by wire. AT
the end OF each wire he had located
an aide who did his bidding. thus
keeping the events moving as ar
ranged.
Children's Chorus a Hit.
Director Roney and Mr.. Barnes
we're in charge Of the grand finale.
Assisted by +. a Wolfe. John Bey-
ers. c. A. Morrison, F. A. Hite. and
II. NJ Appleman. Mr. Barnes was
able 20 bring about 5000 school chill
dren who formed the greater part
Of the chorus onto the ground in
perfect order. the success OF which
brought great applause from the
onloOkers.
But few times in northern In
diana's history has there been pro-
duced "a parade which equaled that
OF yesterday afternoon. Extending
FOR more than q mile and a half in
length. the great parade was com
posed Of many fraternal. civic and
social organizations. floats repre-
senting the various bodies and
marching clubs and delegations
without number. The parade passed
in review before the centennial di-
rectors who were on the platform on
the east side Of the court house.
There were numerous novel and ar
tistic floats and ideas displayed in
the professional pageant which was
under the direction OF Samuel
L,eeper and half dozen aides.
Streets Are Packed
The streets were packed with
visitors and home folks who wit
messed the parade. Many visitors ar
rived in the city during the day and