The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-04-11
GREAT PATRIOTIC
LIBERTY DAY
DEMONSTRATION
Parade Fifteen Blocks Long Witness
ed by Thousands Sunday After
nOOn-Affair Postponed Be-
cause of Saturdays
Storm

Storm
Minot's Liberty Day celebration had
to be postponed from Saturday until
Sunday on account of snow which con-
tinued to fall all day Saturday, but
this did not in the least lessen the
patriotic spirit of the citizens of the
or detract one iota from the
gigantic proportions of the great pat
riotic pageant.
The Liberty Day committees had
everything arranged to begin the day
Saturday morning, they found the
earth covered with a mantle of snow.
Regardless of the fact that there was
no let-up to the storm, hundreds of
women, children and men gathered in
the business district, determined to go
ahead with the affair. A meeting of
the committees was called at the AS
ISOLATION of Commerce rooms and it
was decided that there was nothing
to do but to postpone the affair until
the following day.
Sunday broke fair and by noon the
streets were in fair condition. The
parade started at 2:30 o'clock and ex-
tended over the principal streets Of
the city, covering fifteen blocks, and
requiring fifteen minutes to pass a
given point. There were many very
elaborate floats, all Of a patriotic ma
ture, and many of them were exceed
ingly original in design.
The parade committee had rather
hard time making their selection for
the prize, which was finally awarded
to the Woman's Relief Corps of the
city. Their float was trimmed in
white with attractive Liberty bond
posters placed around it. Eight or
buy liberty bonds" was the message
they carried. Mrs. F. w. Youngman,
representing the Goddess of Liberty,
was carried on the float. The w.
r. C. will receive a beautiful silver
loving cup, suitably engraved.
The entire parade was in charge
of the Town Criers club of the city,
an auxiliary to the Association of
Commerce, with C. D. See as chair
man. 1t was a credit to the or
ganization and the northwest as
whole.
The parade was headed by Major
Blakey, marshal of the day and DR..
Frank L. Householder, acting Presi-
dent of the city commission. They
were fanked by mounted escorts.
The Minot Musicians Union Band
followed, carrying the service flag of
the Musicians union containing thir-
teen stars.
Chairman See, mounted on a fiery
charger, came next.
Warren Bacon dressed as Uncle Sam
was next in line, and then came the
winning w. r. C. float.
The Minot Girls Military Squad
81 strong (and charming) carrying
the service flag recently completed
by the members, followed.
Members Of the G. A. R. in autos,
mothers of the sons fighting for the
principles of democracy and the Red
Cross float being next in line. The
Camp Fire Girls, Normal school or
ganization appeared charming on their
float.
There was a large turnout of Ma
sons, a special dispensation having
been received by Secretary Hagen
stein to appear in the garb of a Mason
for this occasion.
The Knights of Columbus also made
a fine showing and carried banner
with the following words: 100000
raised by the K. C.'s for our soldier
boys"
A small junk wagon filled with iron
carried the label: "Iron to make guns
and guns to get the kaiser"
McGuire's Drum Corps gave the
affair the proper military spirit and
were applauded all along the line of
march.
There were sixteen veterans Of the
Spanish-American war, following the
banner: eve volunteered in '98 and
we're willing again."
The Builders and Traders presented
one of the most unique affairs in the
parade, huge tank built after the
pattern Of the British war tank, with
guns protruding in every direction
from which volleys were fired at fire.
quent intervals.
There was a large turnout of men,
bers of the I. A. M, all dressed in
overals and jackets, with good hon
est dirt on their faces, just as they
had left their work.
The Jewish Societies made splen-
did showing and were escorted by
their own drum corps. Scores Of
bright little Jewish children follow
ed, wearing red, white and blue caps.
President Geo. Won Media and the
speakers of the day followed in autos.
The Boy Scouts marched in three
divisions and they showed that they
had been drilled remarkably we'll.
The Junior Association of Com
merce members, our future business
men, looked like they were ready to
attack some potato patch, each car
rying hoe.
A dozen or fifteen pretty farmer
cites" dressed in overalls and jackets,
with rake and forks, all riding on a
huge load Of hay, made Q splendid
showing.
There were two auto loads Of Girl
Scouts.