The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-10
ntizens Take Part in Monster
parade Last Night and Hear
Stirring Speeches on
Patriotism.
THOUSAND TAKE PART
There Were Over 1000 in the
Procession and Streets
Packed With Solid Mass
of Humanity.

Keokuk, last night, realizing as she
aid in '61 and '9S that she must do
her hit, pledged anew her loyalty to
the flag, to the country Tor which 1T
s,,nds and to the president. In a
Grand patriotic outburst, including a
,.orstrous civic and fraternal parade,
Keokuk citizens gave their pledge of
loysJty to the stars and stripes.
FIags bathed in electric foodlights
caught the breeze and furled n I'M
urled over the heads of the assem-
blage. Bands played patriotic music
and veterans of another April day
! mingled with the brown clad soldiers
of this momentous April in this ma
tion's history. There was pathos
and sentiment, and any amount OF
enthusiasm, all mingled together. To
some there was the thought that this
was the fifth Easter time that Amer
lea has been at war; to others per-
hans came the vision of an April
morning, and a handful of minute
men standing on the village green,
defying relocated soldiers; while to
many in that assemblage the thought
was borne home that in April in 1861
and again in 1898 the call to arms
issued by two martyr presidents IA
being answered. And there were
some who remembered as the long
line wended its way down Main
surrendered and the blue and the
gray were brothers once more.
There were close to 1000 people
| =. H. - 49, -.~- 1.. ~;~lt
which moved from Blondeau street
down to Third and Main, around the
Curtis statue and up Main street to
Twelfth, countermarching to Eighth
street, and thence t. Blondeau, and
down Blondeau to the Elks building
where the speakers were. The pro-
cesslon was led by a platoon of
police. Behind them came Mayor
lotions automobile, decorated in the
NATIONAL colors, and carrying Commits
soner Hilpert, Commissioner Hickey
and the mayor. The Community band
headed this section Of the parade.
The speakers followed in autos, and
behind them came the line of olive
drab of Company L, veterans and
rockies. George V. jenkins camp,
United Spanish war veterans follow
ed, their camp banner and camp
colors flying.
Veterans and Youngsters.
The fife and drum corps headed
the veterans of GIGS Of Terrence
and Belknap posts G. A. r. Behind
these old fighters came the youth Of
the nation, all of the Boy Scouts Of
Eeokuk in their uniforms of khaki,
| npI Izl;,J tI~ Dow Conttc fhn
Girl Scouts, each one carrying a
small American flag. The Knights of
Pythias followed, carrying their ban
her with the legend Eight million
knights of Pythias to back up the
stars and stripes" The Knights Of
Columbus followed with a banner
announcing that they were "375,0OO
strong for Uncle Sam" The degree
team of the Knights and Ladies Of
Security in their uniforms of white
and gold followed.
The next division was led by Kin
digs band, with their veteran band
master marching at their head. The
Elks followed this band. their huge
nag carried by a platoon of men,
bers, and behind this marched a big
delegation of members, each carry
ing a flag. The U. c. It's followed,
and the Modern Woodmen Foresters
degree team, together with the Mod
ern Woodmen came next. The Eagles
and Moose marched together under n
banner inscribed 1.-The Eagles and
Moose are for America first, last and
all the time" Damascus Command
cry Knights Templar followed, each
man in his uniform.
Greeks are In Line.
"'he Peoples Institute band led
me next detachment of the parade.
Behind them marched a delegation
o. Greeks, the blue and white Of the
G,ttk flag mingling with the red.
white and blue carried beside it.
zach marcher carried a small Amer
Han flag. The high school boys with
helr banners and pennants followed.
The drum corps which has been
pressed into service so many times
u the last year was again at the
'front.' last night and led the last divi-
soh OF the procession. Behind the
arum corps, its Triskelion cleaning