Morris tribune., 1919-07-11
RETURNED SOLDIERS
GIVEN BIG RECEPTION
Thousands of People Took Part in
Celebration Friday and Satur-
day of Last Week

Saturday was one Of the most sue
cessful affairs ever put on in Morris.
Everything was done to make the
boys" feel at home and give them
a good time, and the two days will
be long remembered by all who took
part.
Many people were disappointed the
first day by the non-appearance of
the aeroplane and some remarked
that the committee never intended to
have the aeroplane, but merely used
that as a drawing card. A contract
was drawn up by Mr.. McElligOtt of
Appleton and the committee in
charge of the celebration, and the
aeroplane was due to arrive in Nor
ris about five o'clock on the 4th.
McElligOtt was to fly from BigstOne
City to Morris and made the start,
but in leaving the fair grounds at
that place an auto got in his way
and in trying to avoid an accident
his machine was badly smashed. He
then went to Appleton to get another
machine, but was too late to make
the fight to Morris that day. He
came the next morning, however, and
made several flights thruOut the day,
doing a great many stunts in the air,
such as flying upside down, looping
the loop, etc.
The celebration exceeded all eX-
pectations in point of attendance,
entertainment and amusements.
The program began on Friday with
concerts by the Morris and ArtichOke
bands. At 1900 o'clock a parade
was formed on E. 7th street and a
march made down Atlantic avenue.
The parade was headed by the Nor
ris band, followed by the Fire De-
partment, Members of the G.. A. R.,
in autos, Comfort Club Girls walking
headed by a large flag, several squads
of returned soldiers and sailors, Red
Cross ladies in autos, Colored Or
chestra and Civilians
At 1900 noon a big dinner and
reception was given at the armOry
for the returned soldiers by the Com
fort Club Girls and this was one Of
the big features of the day. The
boys enjoyed every minute spent as
guests of the young ladies and they
pronounced the dinner as perfect. At
the close of the meal a short program
was given and addresses of welcome
were given by Judge Beise and
Judge FIaherty. Supt. Miller acted
as chairman on this occasion and he
spoke to the boys for a few minutes.
assuring them that the people of the
county were indeed grateful for the
service they had rendered. Several
songs we're sung by a double quar-
tette of ladies and Mrs. Mahaff1e sang
a song of her own composing which
was very appropriate for the Occa-
sion. A roll call of the boys present
was taken and each one was present
ed with a certificate of appreciation
by F. A. Zahl and C. r. WOllthan,
members of the local draft board.
Immediately after dinner people
began to cOngregate at the Fair
Grounds for the afternoon program
and it is estimated that 5000 people
went thru the gates the first day,
one of the largest crowds ever in the
grounds at one time. Soldiers and
sailors were admitted free, so the ex-
act number could not be ascertained.
The races were exceptionally good
and very exciting. In the harness
race "High Roberts driven by
BIanch Hollenbeck won first prize.
In the running race the first prize
was won by Hale" ridden by V.
Goulette. This horse belonged to
. Aug. Mecklenberg. The second prize
was won by "DolP' a horse owned
by Emil Mecklenberg and ridden by
F. Goulette. A. Fenton of Hancock
won first in the motorcycle race and
Ernest Charles won second. One of
the big features of the day was the
sham battle staged by a hundred of
the returned soldiers. A temporary
forest had been erected on the fair
grounds in front of the grand stand
and all sorts of weapons were used
to make noise and give effect. Part
of the soldiers we're in American
uniform and part in German uni
form. When the battle ended all of
the Germans had been taken prison
ers, but not until all of the ammun1-
ton on hand had been fired. Anoth-
er feature of the day was the free
dancing in the main building, and
this was enjoyed by the young peo-
pie and some older ones.
On Saturday the program was
much the same as the first day, with
the exception of the dinner for the
boys and the sham battle at the fair
grounds. 1t was the intention to re-
peat the sham battle the second day,
but all of the Germans were shot the
first day and new ones could not be
secured in time, and besides, all of
the ammunition was fired the first
day. In the harness race, High
Roberts was again the winner. The