Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-06-19
FARMER PARADE
WASAL0NC one
Over Seven Hundred Car. Particii::
pated in the Thru-County
Demonstration.

The Non-Partisan League parade
through the county last Friday was
something unprecedented in the politi-
cal history of the county. The impress.
sion made upon the spectators as mile
after mile of automobiles passed load
ed with quiet but determined country
people, and decorated with flags and
banners, cannot be described. It was
soul gripping. To such people as have
been led to believe that the farmers
movement is based on disloyalty, the
sight was of course exasperating, and
led them to say and do many things
they otherwise would not have thought
Of saying or doing. But even on such,
the presence in the parade of the
leading and best known successful
farmers Of the county had cooling
effect, for it began to dawn upon them
that after all they might not have un-
derstood the matter correctly.
The parade started from Svea for
Raymond. The committee in charge
of the same was C. F. .Kragenbring, Roy
Bingham, P. M. Burns and F w. Gratz.
At this place a meeting was held
which was addressed by Messrs. A. O..
Nelson, J. B. Bosch and John Wick
lund. A farmers band of twelve piec-
es from north of Raymond accompanied
the tour and played at the various
stopping places. The parade left Ray.
mond for PennOck 10 autos strong.
The meeting at Pennock was address.
ed by J. S. Christensen, A. o. Nelson,
Bosch and Wicklund.
When the parade arrived at Will
mar there were over three hundred
autos In line. No stop was made ow.
ing to threats which had been made
and circulated as to what would hap
pen here. It was thought best to
avoid trouble if possible, so the cars
sailed right thru and left no spoken
message at Willmar. A number of
people disgraced themselves by pull
ing off banners and hurting jibes at
the paraders. The parade was join.
ed here by large number of cars
that had been assembling in town
during the morning.
The next stop was made at Kandi-
yohi. Here the farmers were nicely
treated, and coffee was served to
them, as they ate their dinners.
Speeches were made on the Ed Cur.
renee lawn. A collection was taken
for the band, which amounted to about
$50. The parade started for Atwater
at two O'Clock, and was of such length
that the first cars arrived at Atwater
seven miles distant and the speaking
began there before the last cars had
left Kandiyohi.
At Atwater, Rev. Fred Stromberg
delivered speech to the paraders.
Increasing in numbers all the time,
the parade started north from Atwat-
er thru Harrison and Irving town
ships to Hawick. People at the vari-
GUS farm homes saluted the para6ers
as they passed. A brief stop was
made at Hawick and then the tour
proceeded to New London. New Lon
don people report that over seven
hundred cars were counted in the line
as it reached New London. This
made parade from nine to ten miles
long.
At New London large meeting was
held on Main street which was ad-
dressed by J. B. Bosch, John Wick.
lund, A. O. Nelson, ]. B. Christensen
and others. The parade then disband.
ed, one contingent going south thru
Spicer to Willmar.
Every car carried a Lindbergh ban.
ner and was decorated with flags
Many mottos, as United, we Stand,