The diamond drill., 1919-09-06
GREATEST CROWD EVER IN ClTYAs-
sEMBIED TO WELCOME BOYS
FED 2,1OO AT THE BARBECUE
Ball Game and Boxing Match Pleased
the People and the Dance
Was the Biggest Ever

The east side OF Iron county Alpha
Amasa, Mansfield and Crystal Falls
has reason to feel proud OF itself in
the way that II turned out to pay
homage 10 the soldier boys who went
from this section, at the homecoming
demonstration held az Crystal Falls
last Monday.
The biggest crowd that has been
in CRYSTAL Falls since the first con-
tingent OF recruits went away on
September %, 1917 assembled to cele-
brate the return home OF our soldier
boys.
The day was ideal and the crowd
was good-natured from the outset.
There were no drunken men In sight
10 mar the days doings, no squabbles,
no contests, Just a good-natured
crowd OF men and women who turned
out 10 spend the day with their sol
dier boys.
Rev Poyseor, who was present dur
ing the entire day. has covered the
days doings so completely in a con-
tributlon thct we print IL herewith as
fuli report OF what happened and
os Row the arrangements made 20
arnuse the people took with the gen
eral public Mr.. Poyseor's letter fol-
lows:
My Dear Mr. Conlin:
AT the end Of a perfect day" We
have heard this popular song sung
most OF as have sung It, but we all
realized the truth Of those words on
Monday last, when, as citizens of
Crystal Falls and adjoining towns we
turned out TO do honor 20 our sol
der and sailor boys in one OF the
most unique Homecoming festivities
ii has ever been my privilege to par
ticipate in.
To begin with | must say that no
artists brush could have pictured
more beautiful September Morn"
than that which dawned on the gala
attire of our city. Much credit is in
deed due to Mr. Chadbourne for this
most beautiful and patriotic display
OF decorating. IL was indeed the
work OF no mean artist. Any person
could see that, while IL was there I'm
honor OF Our Boys" who had parti-
clpated in-the Great War, IL called 10
remembrance the war OF 1875 when
we gaZed upon the picture of Wash
ington; and that OF Lincoln, OF the
war OF 1S6l-64, and Mckinley and Col.
Roosevelt OF the Spanish-American
war. Indeed, in that display the Past
and Present had come together. and
history would be faithful TO our boys
as IL had been to those who had gone
before them In defense OF the same
"Old Flag"
Mr.. Chadbourne In the Memorial
40 ha h.1 a. AZ.
supreme sacrifice and who could not
be present I'm the flesh embodied n
beautiful thought 10 their memory In
the Ave beautiful floral wreaths
which were spread upon the base of
the arch. Though absent In the
nesh. they were present In spirit"
The prompt formation OF the sol
diers into line under the command OF
Capt. Burridge was a sight that
brought tears OF Joy to the eyes OF
many. IL was a living. moving pic
ture Of how our boys marched forth 10
meet the Hun. IL was no awkward
squad as we first saw them when
they left us. They had come home
Men. Many OF them had faced pow
der, shell and shot All OF them had
endured hardship as good soldiers.
As We stood on the side lines we en-
We'd them OF their youth and fine
physique. but we were proud Of them
Tor what they did.
The remarks Of the Hon. NJ. n. Nor
iarty In his address OF welcome were
timely and most fittingiy spoken. Free
from the language and spirit OF the
demagogue who would create class
hatred, they were an Inspiration to
better citizenship and manhood.
The baseball game played under
blue sky with a balmy breeze that
made II most agreeable to all who
witnessed the evenly matched teams
of Alpha and Ishpeming,
AZ the conclusion OF the baseball
game as the immense crowd wended
their way 10 the barbecue one could
not fail 90 note how well the commit
tee on arrangements had provided for
efficient and expeditions feeding OF SO
many. Everything seemed 20 be NOV
ing with such exact system that one
could easily imagine that the u. s.
commIssary department was In
charge. Our friend George Cody. rose
TO the occasion. The feast was ~ for
the Gods Casear never Jared better.
AZ 1880 we found ourselves looking
down on the ringed arena In the city
hall In which the boxing contests were
10 take place One could not help be-
Ing thrilled BY the fine specimens OF
our young American manhood who
contested each other for the honors
IN their respective classes. As we