The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1919-05-28

The biggest parade Maryville has
ever had, and the largest that ever
went into Knoxville from another
city, was that of last Thursday, when
about 200 automobiles, trucks, etc.,
loaded with Maryville and Blount
county citizens, and College students,
went to Knoxville to greet DR.. Will
son. The celebration was held to
honor DIR. Wilson for his victory in
putting the Centennial Forward fund
of $325,000 over the top. Blount
county came to the rescue of DR..
Wilson in the last lap and subscribed
about $4,000 to the fund, in addi-
tion of $4,000 already given.
The parade was led by the Mary
vile band, and about the middle of
the procession was the Polytechnic
school band. The procession went
through Gay street. out Fifth avenue
and back Park avenue to Gay, and
on the return DIR. Wilson and Mrs.
Wilson, who reviewed the parade in
front of the Farragut accompanied
by Lieut.. Howard Wilson, got into
/ one of the cars and led the process
sion home. At the college a great
jubilee meeting was held, DIR. Wilson
| express his appreciation for the great
reception and also for the fine work
Blount countians did in helping the
college.
Mayor Young, J. H. Mitchell and
W. L. Webster were in charge bf the
parade. In Knoxville it appeared as
carnival occasion, for the streets
were lined with people witnessing the
great "stunt" pulled off by MaryvilIe.
1t was an eye opener to our neighbor,
and words of praise were heard on
every hand. Surely Knoxville knew
/ Maryville was there, for her Gay
street traffic was considerably delay
ed and interetered with, but Knox
vile officials gave Maryville right Of
way on this occasion, and it looked
as if the city had been turned over to
Maryville.
The Knoxville papers were free
with their space in giving Maryville
and Blount county write-up of the
occasion, and the entire front page
of the afternoon paper, early edition,
was given over to this feature.
Blount county never does things
by half and this was great day for
the county.
DR.. Wilson has issued the following
word of appreciation to Blount
countians:
DR.. Wilson's Appreciation.
l wish | could find words capable
of expressing, in behalf of the fac
ulty and the directors of the institu-
tion that | represent and in behalf
of my own happy heart, our mex
pressible gratitude to the people of
old Blount, who under the wonder
working leadership of their business
men have made a Centennial offer
ing to the College and it's future
that crowns our hundred years with
exultant hope and promise. But
such adequate words are not to be
found.
Men and women of Blount, upon
your own initiative and by your own
spontaneous efforts, rendered as if
by "a committee of the WHOLE" and
with unsurpassed enthusiasm and
local loalty, you have even surpass-
ed the splendid exhibition of
Blount's generous interest in her old
College that was given when she re-
built Carnegie Hall, and you have
now, by united effort. saved the
Centennial Forward Fund of
1925, 900 to the College and to the
new era!
1t all still seems to me like a glad
and fanciful and impossible dream;
but as l look over the list of donors
with the record of their substantial
gifts to the Blount County Victory
Fund, my heart is thrilled with the
reality and my eyes are dimmed by
| the graciousness of this eliminating
event in our history.
And the parade last Thursday! 1t