Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1919-08-15
GRAND HOMECOMING. !
IN LITTLE FALLS ATTENDED BY
$4,000 PEoPLE-PRoaRAM
WAS GREAT.

Morrison county certainly made good
in it's homecoming celebration for the
returned men last Monday and the boys
are loud in their praise for the splendid
way in which they were entertained in
Little Falls. The celebration commenc,
ed at 10 a. m. with the parade which
was pulled off without a single hitch
from start to finish. Splendid weather
prevailed throughout the day and this
helped to bring to Little Falls probably
the biggest crowd of people that has ev.
Ter been assembled here at one time. It
is estimated that throughout the day
more than $4,000 people were as
sembled here. Some of the villages
especially Royalton, closed all their
business houses for the day.
A Fine Parade.
The parade was one of the best that
has ever been attempted here. It was
nearly a mile long and this feature
alone was worth coming many miles te
see. It was in the nature of a. >historic
pageant Of the county, floats and char
acters representing the Mississippi riv-
er, the pines, the Indians, missionaries
pioneers, wood rangers, the old Buck.
man home, old Fort Ripley, the first
saw mill operated here by G. Gravel
Members Of the G.. A. r. and w. r. c.
Red Cross nurses and mothers and wives
Of the soldiers rode in automobiles
There were floats showing this county
in the world war, the call to arms, one
in memory of the honored dead, the
America First, child conservation, food
conservation, public schools and library
Liberty Loans, the road to Paris, peace
float, Morrison county's agricultural
and industrial resources, products and
flowers. The l51st band marched in
the parade, also the Little Falls band
the home guards and the Boy Scouts.
Although the parade was given early
and many people had not yet come tc
the city, more than three hundred sol
diers, sailors and marines took part in
the parade. AS they marched along
they were cheered in a way that, as
many Of them said, made them feel
good. The line Of march for the parade
was on Second street north to Broad
way, thence west to Third street west
south to Second avenue, east to Second
street, north to Broadway, east to First
street east, south to First avenue, east
on First avenue to Third street, thence
north to Broadway Warren Gibson
was marshal Of the day.
A car from Royalton which was in
the parade was beautifully decorated
and was commented on by many. The
car was driven by Miss Irene Noggle
of Royalton. It was decorated with
white and lavender crepe paper, with
the name. Royafon lettered on the sides.
The other occupants Of the car were
Florence Orth, Mrs. E. FL. McGonagle,
Misses Alura Milberry and Imelda
Fietsam, all Of Royalton.
Welcomed Home.
Immediately following the parade ex-
ercises were held at the court house
square. Louis w. Vasaly, chairman Of
the homecoming committee, presided.
The program opened with a selection by
the l51st band. Mayor Bergheim made
the address Of welcome in which he
welcomed the returned boys to Little
Falls on this occasion as the guests of
the citizens, whom, he.said, were trying,
in a small but well meant way, to show
their appreciation for what the boys
have done, to check up accounts. He
said that the boys had finished their
job and did it we'll and he went on to
say that the people Of Morrison county
were back of them, giving literally to
all war activities, subscribing over two
million dollars in Liberty. bonds, con-
serving on food, etc. He expressed
pleasure at the way the boys who re-
turn are. so readily fitting back into
their old places and continuing where
they left off when the war began. He
called their attention to the propaganda
Of the radicals and urged the returned
men to fight against such movements
A. II. Vernon,a captain in the reserve
corps, and chairman of the local post
Of the American Legion, gave the re-
sponse for the returned men, On behalf
Of the boys he thanked the committee
and citizens for the splendid reception
which had been prepared for them and
assured the people that it was fully 2p-
preciated.
Robert E. Gehan of st. Paul, popular
baritone, gave several songs which were
very much enjoyed. A selection by the
151st band closed the exercises.
''ChoW'' and Cigarettes. -.
Dinner for the returned men and
their wives or sweethearts, Red Cross
nurses and members Of the G.. A. r.
came next. It is said that the easiest
way to a man s heart is via his stomach
and if so the committee on "chow''
certainly had the boys' hearts captured
as the feed was fine-any Of them will
tell you that. The menu included
mashed potatoes and gravy, pork roast
cucumbers, cheese, buttered buns, cof.
fee, cake, doughnuts, pie and ice cream
and this was topped off with a good
cigar and a package Of cigarettes to
each man and souvenir ribbons and
flags to each person who had dinner
/ 1t is estimated that more than 700 re-
turned men partook Of the meal and
/ that in all more than a thousand per
sons were fed. There was more than
enough food and in the evening many
of the soldiers were given supper.
The dinner was served in the east
side Of the court house lawn, on nine
tables accommodating 100 persons each
Great credit is due to the women who
handled this feature for the excellent
manner in which they handled it. The
boys said they got all they could cal
and that the food tasted just fine
Young ladies'. moro than 1iftv IN nnm