Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-10-23
THOUSANDS FLOCK TO PAY
TRIBUTE TO BELGIAN HERO
PRIMATE ON HIS ARRIVAL
Cardinal Mercier Steps
From Train to Receive
Dinning Ovation.

Cardinal Desideratus Mercler,
the Saint OF Belgium" came into
the quad-cities today to receive a
true middle-western welcome from
thousands Of people who hocked
to Moline.
Both Catholic and non-Cathollc
paid tribute to the hero primate,
who as Leo in 452 defed Attila tina
Hun. Cardinal Mercier in 1914
stood unflinchingly before the vast
hordes of invading Germans, a true
soldier Of the CROSS.
He was accorded a tremendous
ovation as the Rock Island lines
train brought him into Moline
shortly before 2 O'Clock this after
noon, from Chicago, where he has
been for two days. Although the
general public had been asked 20
make no effort to see the cardinal
at the station, but to go at once 10
the site Of the new Sacred Heart
church, where the formal program
was arranged. there were thous-
ands at the depot eager to get the
first glimpse OF his eminence.
1t was estimated that 1000 peO-
pie were at the station when his
eminence arrived. The train was
on time. stopping so that the 90
servation car in which the primate
rode, halted at the Fifteenth street
intersection.
His eminence appeared on tho
platform smiling, highly appre-
ciatiVe Of the ovation rendered tp
him. He was met by the mayors
OF the four cities and was pre-
sented with a large bouquet OF
flowers from the Belgian commit
tee. Photographers bent on secu--
ing a closeup of the cardinal
were disappointed as the crowd
surged so that they operated their
machines only with great diff
Guilty. The band played "My
Country 'Tis Of Thee" while the
official reception committee board
ed the platform.
Rock Island was well represent
ed in the gathering at the station.
Parochial schools were closed for
the day in order that the pupils
could see the cardinal and thero
were hundreds from this city who
were present at the Sacred Heart
church where the formal program
took place.
The Moline and East Moline Bel
gian bands. playing tn Belgian
national anthem, La BrabanConuC.
al Cd IA n#
the mayors reception committee,
together with city executives OF
Davenport. Rock Island and East
Moline, as well as Colonel Harry
B. Jordan and his STAFF or Rock
Island arsenal, also met him. Tho
cardinal and his party Immediately
stepped into automobiles provided
for theml while the Red Cross AMI
the knights Of Columbus, IN march
ing order. took the march 20 tho
hill on Fifteenth street. In order
to save time, no other organiza-
tions we're in tho parade, which
went direct TO The grounds at Thir-
teenth street and Seventeenth ave-
nue.. The public had been advised
TO assemble at this point where
ample room was provided. all traf-
four blocks leading TO the intersec-
tion at which the platform was
erected.
At Church Site.
Tho cardinals party took places
on tho platform, together with
members OF the Moline city coun-
ell. the mayors Of other OF the
duad-cities, representatives Of the
Red Cross and other organizations.
The ceremonies connected with the
blessing and laying OF tie corner
stone proceeded Immediately. The
cornerstone itself contained a box
in which were placed copies on the
local papers. autographed photo
graphs OF various civil and ecclesi-
astlcal dignitaTies, together with
the following document,
During the pontiflcatc Of Pope
Benedict XIV. Woodrow Wilson be-
ing president Of the United States.
Frank O. Lowden being governor
of Illinois, Charles p. Skinner bo-
ing mayor OF Moline, RI. Rev. +.
NJ. Dunne being bishop Of Peoria.
Rev. J. B. Culemans being pastor
of this parish. the cornerstone OF
this edifce. dedicated to the glory
Of God, was solemnly blessed and
laid on Oct. %, 1919, by his emin-
ence, Cardinal Desire Joseph Mer-
cier, archbishop OF Mcchlin and
primate of Belgium.
Zachary T. Davis. Chicago, H.,
architect. BeTgstedt Construction
company. Moline. builders.
Building committee - Edward
Coryn, Louis SonneWlle, Frank
Styvaert. a. c Wander Vennett."
After this ceremony was COM
pIeted the bands rendered a selec-
tion, and in the meantime tho
usual collection was taken I'm the
audience.
Present Bouquet.
A delegation Of school children
presented the cardinal with a bou-