The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-05
Provisional Brigade of First
Regiment Feature Of
Parade.
MANY VISITORS IN CITY
Procession Strung Out for
Number of Blocks-How
1t Formed.

Unbounded enthusiasm. patriotism
uuleashed and Amerlcaism took hold
of Fairmont this afternoon when up,
wards of 5000 loyal Americans marsh
ed through the streets OF Fairmont
in parade to show that they feel their
country is right In It's methods of deal.
ing with foreign enemies.
Never before in the history of Fair
mont had there ever gathered on the
street for public demonstration such
thronGs of people as did this after
noon. There must have been. conserS-
atively estimating, at least 10000 pen.
pie on the streets. Thousands came
llom out of town. The workmen, the
clerks, the business men, professional
men and everyone in the city closed
up shop for this occasion.
The United States government is as
Sitting in the demonstration only at
the request of the local people and
with slowing up of its work at camp.
The men who belong to the soid!eTy
have lots of work for every minute IN
the day and this stopping Of their
plans for few hours seriously puts
them back, but they we're all anxious
to Join in the parade and to do the
work II necessary during rest hours.
Persons of all ages were on the
streets and In the parade. Old soldiers
who SO bravely fought for the Lost
Cause and for the Union as well as
present. all voicing their appreciation
eli
America and a foreign foe and all
glad to be able to assist in bringing
the matter before the people as one
that is absolutely threatening ais one
that demands the assistance OF eV.
cry American in the country.
Promptly at $3.50 this afternoon L
provisional battalion OF the First regi-
ment West Virginian National guard
was brought to attention and few
seconds later forward march to Fifth
street and Fairmont avenue from FIRST
and Fairmont. Dropping in behind
the soldiers were members of the
daueuters of the American Revolution
followed by the Grand Army of the Re
public. Closely behind the veteran
soldiers came the Red Cross organi-
cation. Between the Red Cross and
the Greater Fairmont Band marched
the marshal, Harry F. Smith, and his
staff. The band of course rendered
all sorts of patriotic music as only
the Greater Fairmont band can.
Then came the Elks carrying the
flag loaned by the City of Canton, o.,
the largest flag in existence. Direct
Nv behind the great flag were the
Snanish war veterans. Then came the
Boy Scouts.
Companies H, of Fairmont, F of Mar
tinsburg, L OF Morgantown. and G OF
Kingwood, and the Gregory Military
band, brought up by the Sanitary De-
tachment and under the command Of
Lieutenant Richard L. Osborn and Ad-
iutant Lieutenant Richard E. Cars
kadon brought storms of applause as
thew passed all points. These are the
four best equipped companies thus
far In camp. The Machine Gun COM
pany Of Clarksburg was expected here
but could not make arrangements In
time.
After all this the Fairmont High
school students fell into line and at
second street. Garlow's band and the
Normal school students were next in
line. Before the pageant reached Sec
ond street the city commissioners man.
aged to find space enough to fall in.
The Y. M. c. A, Eagles, Railroad
men, Knights OF Columbus and Brick.
layers Union marched along with the
leading bodies.
At Third street the odd Fellows,
knights of Pythias, woodmen of the
World and the Modern Woodmen Of
America and the Christopher Colum-
bus society fell in, followed by the
colored troops. Behind the colored
delegations were the city police and
firemen bringing up the rear.
From Fifth street the immense pa
Continued on page twelve.)