The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-07-13

many of them visitors from other cities.
The day was ideal People came early, bring
ING their lunches and remained all through the
day until 10 o'clock at night.
1t would be impossible to picture a prettier
sight than that presented at the noon hour, by
hundreds of families in happy concourse, eating
their lunches, spread in true picnic fashion, on
white cloths under the trees.
All seemed to enjoy themselves immensely
throughout the day. 1t was social time = an oc-
casion for meeting old friends.
Out of all the visitors, many OF whom had
never before spent Fourth in Zion City, not
one was seen smoking cigar or c1garet, or
showing, in the slightest degree signs of intoxi-
cation Not profane word was heard. There
is no other place in the United States where
women and children can SO fully enjoy them
selves in a pure atmosphere at an outdoor gath
erng, as in Zion City
A pleasing feature of the day the pres
ence of many uniformed naval boys from Camp
Logan and the Naval Station at Great Lakes.
These boys, many of them far from home and
relatives, mixed freely with the crowds and
entered heartily into the games, and were enter
tanned by the Zion people at lunch
At 1870 a. m. the parade formed at the Ad-
ministration Building, and followed a line Of
march south on Elijah Avenue, west on 10Th
street, ana nOIln OH EnOCH AVtHut 10 TIC plS-
mic grounds in Shiloh Park.
The parade was headed by Assistant Chief of
Police Bruno on horseback, followed by three
other police officers A large American flag,
followed by the ensi gns of Great Britain, France
and Italy, was carried next in line
Following the allied flags, marched the mem
bers of the Zion Senior Band, four abreast in
wide formation, presenting a splendid sight
with their glittering instruments and attractive
uniforms.
Next in order came the Municipal Officers,
Zion Junior Band and Zion Guard
Immediately following was beautiful float
tastefully and artisticaly decorated with the
national coors. Occupying the seat of honor
were a gentleman and young lady dressed in
costume to represent Uncle Sam and Miss Co
lumbia.
Then came long procession of automobiles
and carriages decorated with flags and bunting
The parade was reviewed by the General
Overseer and Mrs Voliva from the balcony Of
Zion Home
The bands, alternately played inspiring
marches during the entire procession.
Many features never before seen at Zion
Fourth of July Picnic marked the program of
the day.
AIRpLANEs APPEAR OVER ZION CITY
During the noon hour, Lieutenant Lee Ham
1nond, in charge of Aviation at the Great Lakes
Naval Training Station, accompanied by Leu-
tenant Duncan P Forbes appeared over the city
in a hydroplane. They were closely followed by
Ensign Gardiner Dumas and Edgar w. Croft,
the Zion correspondent for the Chicago dailies,
in another seaplane. Veering toward the picnic
grounds, they crcled once or twice and then
headed northward. Although they were at
height of 1850 feet, the continual whir of the
propellers was plainly audible.
The aviators did not appear over the grounds
on the return journey. Later, it was learned
that Ensign Dumas and Mr.. Croft were engaged
in grim race over the waters of Lake Michi-
gan for the hangar at the naval station, their
gasoline having run low. A strong wind made
their progress especially difficult.
1t is anything but reassuring to be caught in
the air without gasoline. While the aviator is
usually able to volplane down, the slightest mis-
hap may result fatally.
They arrived at the hangar just as the tank
registered empty"
Later, Lieutenant Forbes returned to Zion
City and dropped flag with small sand bag
attached to it, and message for the General
Overseer, conveying the best wishes of the avia-
tors at Great Lakes. AS the plane lowered al
most directly overhead, at much lower altitude
than before, the picncers were afforded an ex-
cellent view of it. After looping the loop, he
headed homeward.
Mayor Clendnen later sent a letter to Lieu
tenant Hammond and the other aviators at
Great Lakes, thanking them for their exhibition
flight over the city.