The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-07-13
Spectacular Parade Was One
Of the Big Features
ADDRESS BY COMSTOCK
Baseball Game Between Single
And Married Men; Inter-
esting Sport
From Thursdays Daily.

From thursdays Daily.
Lake Crystal was in its glory yes
terday. Visitors from the surrounding
country, from Mankato, Good Thunder,
Mapleton, Blue Earth and elsewhere,
numbering, it is estimated, as high as
1000, gathered in that town to help
the residents make success of their
big Fourth celebration.
A success it was indeed. For a time
In the morning, the skies looked
threatening, and there was a light
shower. This, however, did not inter-
fere with the festivities. 1t was rath-
er benefit than otherwise, for it
served to lay the dust little. On the
whole, the weather was ideal.
Flags and bunting were to be seen
everywhere along the principal streets.
A stranger could tell at glance that
q celebration was taking place.
Many of the guests were brought by
the incoming trains, but the great ma
5ority of them came by auto. There
were autos galore to be seen on every
side, and quite number of them came
from Mankato. Probably all Of two
hundred visitors came from Mankato
alone.
The program of the days celebra-
ton opened with the big parade. This
was about mile long, when in full
formation. 1t gathered at the school
grounds and start was made at 1910
a. m. 1t moved two blocks south and
then two blocks west of Main street,
then to the Espenson restaurant corn
er, block west to the James Broth
arg hor CD 021x 4
one block east, two blocks south and
then east to the chautauqua grounds.
G. L. Fitch, Marshal.
At the head of the parade rode the
marshal, G. L. Fitch, on black steed.
Next followed the Good Thunder band
on foot. This consisted Of sixteen
pieces. The men wore blue-gray caps
and coats and white duck trousers.
This band furnished music during most
OF the day, playing appropriate airs,
not only during the parade, but also in
the band stand at the park and else
where.
Back of the band came the living
impersonation of America" Mrs.
William Williams, arrayed in white
and riding white horse, suitably
8.
her rode Bruce Wrightson, leader of
the Lake Crystal Boy Scouts, lad of
fourteen.
After these marched the representa-
tives Of the states, forty Eight girls,
ranging in age from eleven to fifteen,
all dressed in white, and each bearing
banner of red, with the names Of the
state in white letters. The girls
marched six abreast, thus making
eight ranks.
Behind these was decorated auto
mobile, driven by Mrs. Morris Jones,
and bearing inside the living repre-
sentatives of Liberty" and "Colum-
bia." Liberty" was Maud Friend, aged
fifteen, dressed in bunting and wear
ing the goddess crown. Columbia"
was Edith Jones, aged eleven, dressed
in white, with sash of bunting.
After these came "Uncle SAM,
represented by Paul Moe, riding in
Henry Johnson's car and attended by
four boy scouts. Paul Moe wore the
familiar Uncle Sam" costume of red
white and blue.
Then came the G. A. R. car driven by
w. w. Harris, and bearing seven vet
Grams: Joshua Wigley, John Thomas,
II. A. Weymouth, Ed R. Jones, Levi
Wrightson, Hans Markeson, and John
j. James.
Woman's Relief Corps.
Next came the car of the Woman's
Relief corps. In this auto rode the col
or bearers, who carried the silk flag
that was won by the corps at the
state convention in June, as a prize
for getting the largest number of new
members during the year. w. j.
Wrightson drove the auto. In it rode
Mrs. Hugh Norman, president of the
local corps, and the four color bearers
Mrs. May Friend, Miss Maud Barney,
Mrs. w. j. Wrightson and Mrs E. H
Mead.
In the next car rode the city fathers
Mayor Hugh Jones, and City Council
men Charles James, w. E. Thomas, M
L. Jones, c. P. Christesen and Charles
Fox.
After these rode the Lake Crystal
Choral club in two autos. This con-
sisted Of twenty members, half men
and half ladies, who sang Never Let
the Old Flag Fan and other patriotic
airs. Robert F. Jones was leader.
Lodge Of Yeomen.
The next car represented the local
lodge Of the Yeomen. The decorations
OF this car included the motto of the
order in large letters. This car was
driven by George Austin, who also
drove, and was accompanied by his
daughter, Ula Austin, the latter hav-
ing in charge twelve children, also
riding in the car.
There were also cars representing
the Knights of Pythias, the A. o. u
W., the Degree of Honor, winner of
the first prize for car decoration; the
Eastern Star, winner of the second
prize; and the Royal Neighbors, who
won the third.
Nearly all the business establish
ments of the city of Lake Crystal had
cars that were beautifully and ap-
propriately adorned to represent the
respective houses.
The Watonwan Farmers club took
first prize for having the most beauti-
fully decorated float This float was
drawn by four horses and was the
only horse float in the parade.
The prizes were awarded by three
of the Royal event Welsh Male sing
ers, who were on the Lake Crystal
chautauqua program, and judged the