Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-07-24
FATHER wHALEN HoNoRED.
rendered Most Pleasing Farewell
Reception at ;lhe Catholic
Church Monday Evening.

Catholic church in DEBORAH has en-
listed his services as chaplain in the
United States army. He has been
stationed at Cresco for some time
past, but the friends he made
here, both inside and outside the
had not forgotten him, SO
they planned farewell reception for
him, which was held last Monday
evening in the basement Of the hand
some new Catholic church just re-
Gently completed.
A large crowd of friends assem-
bled at about eight o'clock. The
room had been decorated in most
artistic manner, Old Glory being in
prominence all about the room. Back
of the speakers :ostrum large
American flag was hung across on
the wall and below in the center was
a large portrait of President Wilson.
The deco :ations were certainly fine
and spoke volumes for those in
charge of the work, and the whole
atmosphere was charged with patro-
tism and honor to the flag all loyal
citizens love so well.
B. ]. Mckay acted as POSTMASTER,
and in a few we'll chosen wo:ds told
the audience why the meeting had
been called, to honor Rev. Whalen,
who was about to depart to the train
ing camps. An excellent program
had been provided, with some of the
best musical and speaking talent CT
the city.
The program was opened by the
excellent quartette composed of Mrs.
w. C. Adams, Mrs. Geo. Johnson,
Messrs. B. H. Adams and Albert
Larsen, with Miss Agnes Maroney az
the piano. The Star Spangled Ban
nec was the opening song and was
participated in by the entire audience
standing
The speaking talent of the occas-
ion was made by the city's most
prominent and well known speakers.
lAll were of a patriotic nature most
l,befitting to the occasion. The speak
,lers and in the order of speaking were
Mayor e. J. Hook, Judge C. N.
Houck, County Attorney j. A. Mel
son, Rev. Father Hogan, Attorney E.
r, Acres, and DR.. F. w. Conover.
The talks given by these we'll
known citizens Were gems of fine
thoughts and the sparkling patriot,
ism interviewer throughout each was
most inspiring. Not in long time
have we heard anything finer given
than flowed from the patriotic hearts
or these loyal citizens than was
poured forth by them on this occas-
/ ion. @
When the last speaker had finished
I the POSTMASTER called upon Father
Whalen and presented him with a
purse of $3.50, a gift from his for
mer Pensioners and friends here.
1t was only a slight token of the es-
TEEN in which he is held by all.
Father Whalen then made re-
Spouse. mingled with wit and patriot
! ism, and thanked the many kind
friends for the great honor they had
paid him. In speaking about en-
listing his services he said that he
was only doing his duty to his
country, and that he was not bit
better than any of the thousands OF
young men who already had gone
forth from the cities and country
districts, and those who are to go,
but felt it his humble and patriotic
duty to do what he could for his
country's cause.
One of the added attractions oil
the program greatly enjoyed by
/ the audience, was the appearance OF
the Misses Seraphia and Marcia
Figge, of Ossian. The former rem
deed two solos and the latter pre-
sided at the piano. Miss Figge's
sweet voice captivated the audience
and she was roundly encored and re-
sponded in most pleasing manner.
The local quartette were at their
best, and thei. excellent singing had
much to do with the pleasure of the
evenings program.
At the conclusion of the speaking
some of the ladies of the church had
a surprise for the audience in the
way of a dainty lunch, of ice cream,
cake and punch, which proved Q
most pleasing finale to the excellent
program that preceded.
Father Whalen was ordained Il
the priesthood at the Seminary In
lst. Paul four years ago last June and
his first appointment was DEBORAH
toon,;,,, hare In November 19l a. and