Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-26
SWEDE FESTIVAL
is FINE SUCCESS
Thousands of Swedish Residents OF Mo-
line and Surrounding Country At
tend Event at Prospect Park.
MUSIC Is FEATURE OF PROGRAM
Principal Event of Day Is Speech by
DR.. Gustav Andreen-Former Lo-
cal Pastors Are Present.


scene of a gathering of thousands o.
people-Swedish residents of Moline
and Of cities and towns within a radius
of more than 100 miles who were il
attendance at Midsummer day exer-
cises. With the weather IDEAL the
event was carried through without a
drawback Raising Of the maypole
and staging of the quaint folk dances
in the evening were exact reproduc-
tons Of the scenes which were at the
same time being enacted in Sweden,
and served to make all, for the time
being. forget the distance between
them and their native land.
The day was not alone gala occa-
ton for the Swedish and American
born Scandinayians who participated.
In the large number of persons com
ing from outlying towns, who enjoyed
MOline's hospitality and found the city
one which is willing and anxious to
extend a cordial welcome to all who
came here as her visitors, there was
a promise Of the day becoming more
and more for Moline as a whole each
succeeding year.
The invitation extended to come
again" was one which all visitors re-
allied was one of genuine meaning.
and Midsummer day should, within
the next few years, be the day which
residents of all the smaller cities in
this vicinity will set aside to come to
the city for the great festival, making
the day a community day and Moline
the community center in this portion
Of the state.
Music is Feature.
Afternoon program in the auditor
ium was featured by both Swedish and
American musical numbers, in addi-
tiCn to the passing Of resolutions ia
yOring Rock Island arsenal as the
munition manufacturing center of the
United States, and the address of Dr.
Gustav Andreen, president of Angus
tana college, complete accounts of
which appeared in Saturdays edition
CT The Argus. A spirit of true pa
triotism was manifest throughout and
the sentiment expressed by all was
that the Swedish residents of Moline
are Moliners of Swedish descent or
birth, not merely Swedish-Americans,
and that the hyphen is a meaningless
term.
Two of the surprises of the after
noon for the audience were the ap-
pearance of Rev NJ. j. Eggan and
Rev. y, NJ. Johanson, both former pas
tors OF the Mission tabernacle here,
who are back of the 40th jubilee.
IoI
talk, congratulated Moline on its
wonderful progress as a city. He paid
a splendid tribute 10 the spirit al
ways evinced in the Swedish city on
the banks of the Mississippi" and
promised that when Scandinavians
come to him in New York, where he
Is at present engaged in ministerial
work, and ask him where to go, he
will label them and send them on to
Noline-the best city of its size in the F.,
country
Rev. A NJ. Johanson, who is now |
located In Wausau, NeD.. and who was
one OF the organizers of the Swedish |
ASSOCIATION here. was again present :
this year. He expressed his appreci-
alton at being able to attend the 1916
celebration, the biggest and best Of
them all, he said, and promised that
the memory OF Moline and Moline
trends would always be with him. F.
W, Olson delivered an address of well
come.
Credit to SyeaS.
To the SVea and National choruses
directed by J. Victor Bergquist, goes
credit for making the day the success
II really was The song. "Vart Land"
by the swedish National chorus, was
one which took the audience by storm.
ne SYeas appeared in full force and
all their numbers called for encores ,
no less pleasing was the music fur ,
hlshed during the afternoon and even ,
ing by the Moline Plow company band. !
its first appearance at a Mid
summer festival Complete program: r
Overture, ''Invincible''-M Moline Plow ;
)and !
Inyocation-Rev A f. Lindberg of :
swedish Baptist church. y
song, 'Vart Land"-Swedish Ma u
Ional chorus. directed by ]. Victor :,
3ergquist y
Song, "Bjorneborg March'-Aation- y
j chorus
Address of welcome-E. ". Onnn. :
9erenade (Arp)-Svea Male sous n
Patriotic address in Swedish - Dr. =
'ustay Andreen. 4
Song, Glad Sasom Fageln: Till "
lit Hem"-National chorus. VI
Adoption Of resolutions. y
song, The Star Spangled Banner" 9,
National chorus. =
Music-Moline Pillow band. r. r.
song. God Bless Our Land" tune h,
"America")-Audience. -
Races Cancelled.
races were not run off as sched- [
Led, due 10 an auto accident in which
L. peterson, in charge, figured on
ay 10 the park After the afternoon
rogram and raising OF the maypole "a
)Yered entirely with arboreal decora- h.
ons, John Freed directed the folk NJ
imes which were given about the 70
de and on the hillside. ~
A large delegation of visitors from de
was present as well as from W
her portions Of Illinois and Iowa he
nong those well known to Swedish
sidents Of Moline were Rev. L. ROM ~
list OF Swedona and John Wretman. re
rmerly OF Moline, now located in 10
va. Rev A. F. Bergstrom, who has wi
en- i'll in the Lutheran hospital for l..
ong period. was also present for In,
DIT time in the afternoon, greeting me
many friends mr.
thu
III the news all the time - The Ma
Sus Chi