The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-09-19
MADISONS GREATEST
Celebration
HOMECOMING DAY A COMPLETE
SUCCESS FROM EVERY
STANDPOINT
5000 PEOPLE PRESENT
THE PROGRAM, THE DECORA.
TIONS AND THE ENJOYMENT
OF A HIGH ORDER

Judged from any standpoint, and
especially from the standpoint of in
terest, attendance and satisfaction,
the Homecoming celebration was a
decided success and today, after the
crowd has gone and summary of
yesterdays events is considered, the
decision has been reached in many
quarters that the people of Madison
and the surrounding territory en-
joyed the program and departed feel
ing happy. Not a word of criticism
was offered and not a thing trans
pired to mar the days pleasure.
1t is estimated that over six thou
sandspeople were in attendance. The
ladies of the dining committee re-
port that over four hundred were fed
at noon and more than five hundred
were given supper. Had there been
no threat of rain it, is thought that
there would have been an attendance
of eight or ten thousand. The crowd
was large enough, plenty large for
easy movement from one point of en-
tertainment to another without a
crush.
In making his welcome address
Mayor Jas. Robertsno explained the
intent of the celebration and spoke OF
the hardships of soldering. He
commended the work of the Salvation
Army and urged all soldiers to join
the American Legion.
Horace Mease responded with fit
ting words, speaking in behalf of the
soldiers, three hundred and fifty-siS
of whom registered at the American
Legion headquarters. The citizens
were kindly thanked for the effort
made to entertain them.
Following Mr.. Means, Lieutenant
Governor McMasters took the plat
form and delivered an eloquent and
appealing address. He thanked the
ladies of the city for the splendid
bidder spread for soldiers, their
wives and parents. His high tribute
to the pioneers of the state who
faced many a hardship while carving
out a home in the plains was heard
by many in the crowd who expert
enced just those things the speaker
mentioned. The Lieutenant-Gover.
nor, who is now before the people as
a candidate for governor, spoke ear
nestly for a half hour, directing his
words chiefly to the soldiers present
and to the mothers, sisters and wives
who knew the heart-ache when the
boys were fighting "over there" In
closing he urged all soldiers to join
the American Legion and thus per-
petuate their part in the great war
Yesterday was an opportune time fol
the Lieutenant-G Governor to speak, TO,
he had before him several thousand
voters, who wished to know the man
ner of man he is. His utterances or
Homecoming day won all hearts ane
when election time rolls around Lake
county will cast heavy vote for oul
state official who is SO thoroughly
American and so sympathetically Tho
soldiers friend.
The celebration committee was in
deed fortunate in securing Peck''
Watertown band. Their efforts yes
terday elected many fine compli
ments. Our own municipal bant
was surely at it's best. Their musi'
was excellent The city of Madison
should be proud of the band. The
expense of their maintenance II
money well spent.
The program was snappy and full
ofinterest for everybody all day Ions
and what a fine clean celebration i
was! No rowdyism, no drunken
ness, no disorderly conduct of an
kind. Just a clean-cut day of bi,
events that everybody enjoyed. M
one was disappointed, for there wa
something doing every minute.
Several thousand people witnessed
the snappy game of ball played b.
the Safety First and Winfred teams
No more interesting game has beel
played in this county this season, ant
il was the hardest fought contest ye
put on at the fair grounds. Bot
teams were in splendid shape AM
the playing was all clean and fine
Winfred,won by score of 2 to 1.
fhe open-air stunts by the trapez
artists and the trick bicyclists fur
nished bushels of fun for young AM
old. A packed crowd lined up TO
every appearance of those specialist
who left the city today, taking alon
with them the appreciation OF tn
people they entertained,
The most thrilling sensation o.
the program was the birdman, Lysl
Throe, not Lieutenant Bradbury, a
was enormously announced. who flew