New Britain herald., 1919-03-25
MILLION CHEER AS
 27TH DIVISION MEN
 ID MARCHING PAST
fCortt0ued from Fir .F"ec

persons could see t1lo ploceSSloI', brought as high as $fo'
 ReIa lives and friends of the troops were seated in an immense stand run ming the entire eastern length of Cen traf Park. It was in this stand that the most enthusiasm was shown. Here too, service flags bearing gold stars were waved, and here were women dressed in black with the tell-tale gold star worn upon the sleeve.
 Half Million From Out of City.
 More than 800, 900 of the spectators came from various towns and cities in the staEe. according to police est- mates. Many of these came to the city last night only to find hotels syvamped. Hundreds of persons Ehronged Fifth avenue all night and at dawn today many persons were camped at favorite places along the route of the parade.
 : Fifth avenue was q waving lane of the national colors and many build ings were magnificenl-ly decorated One of the most striking decora tlons was the Court of the Heroic Dead at the Public library. Between two great pylons, bearing shields decorated with the insignia of the American divisions and upstanding spears, appeared in letters of gold the names of the bat ties in which American troops parti cipated. Above the battle names are the words of Abraham Lincoln's touching letter written 10 Mrs. Bixby consoling her on the death of her sons in the war
 Lincoln's Famous Letter.
 T feel how, weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from a grief so overwhelming. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage tue anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the lives lost and the golden pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice on the altar of free dom"
 Arch of Jewels Wonderful Sight.
 Another impressive decoration was carried out in the Arch of Jewels at 6Oth street, where 32 900 colored crys tai prisms were used to work out de- signs of coats of arms of the United j States and her allies The total candle power used in lighting the arch was 96,00Q,000 and powerful search lights aided in the night illumination.
 Acting Secretary Lauds Men.
 Acting secretary or war CFOWell, representing the war department is sued a statement declaring that the part played by the former Empire States guardsmen in France would illuminate the pages of American 1 history for all time.'
 ''The tremendous ovation which the ] city of New York is giving to the off ,cers and men of the 27th division of the triumphant American army said Secretary Crowell springs from just pride in achievement worthy or the highest national traditions.
 History of Their Achievements.
 ''rhese sons of the Metropolis and the Empire State, are the heroes Of Kennel Hill, of Peronne, of Belli- court. of St. Quent tinv Cam brai, of Bony and Le Catelet. They fought gloriously. They helped win the most stupendous conflict, the world has ever seen. The fruit of the victory is now in the hands, of the people of all clvi- Iized nations great and small. These men who parade today are of the American stuff that heartened the weary British and French heroes in i the summer of 1918 and when it came their turn to fight on their own sec tors they exhibited strength and abtll- tv which swept down the enemy like the wrath of an averaging God. In their last great drive the enemy fell back before them for thirteen miles and some 5000 prisoners were taken into the lines of the 27th' division.
 "These feats of glory will illuminate +he pages of American history for all time."
 Crowds Hold Up Parade.
 Surging crowds battled with the nolice at Madison Square and finally broke through their lines and into the middle of the avenue causing the parade to be held up soon after it's start. Mounted police rushed to the scene but their attempts to hold the crowds also were ineffecual and it was with difficulty that the parades passed that point.
 One policeman was tranpled upon bv the crowd and taken to a hospital with injuries to leg and body.
 Policeman Taken III, Dies.
 Police Captain John Barnes was suddenly taken i'll while on duty at , s7th street and Fifth avenue and was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
 At 77th street crowds again broke through the police lines. Women carrying babies were knocked down and injured and some tainted. An emergency hospital was set up.
 Wounded Men Forced to Move.
 An unpleasant incident occurred at St Patricks cathedral where police inspector forced 300 wounded men seated in chairs in front of the grandstand to get up and seek places in the side streets. Social welfare workers and the wounded men ob iected to this action but their pro