Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-06-07
GREAT OVATION
FOR RETURNING
HEROESlNtfSS0
Company A Receives Welcome
Upon Arrival in Rock Island
at End of Spanish War.


cheers of thousands, and the blow
ing of whistles and the ringing OF
bells, an expression of the pride
entertained for them and the rec
ordN they made since they bid
farewell to hearth, parents and
friends and marched away in re-
Spouse to their country's call, at
dawn that April morning. An in
patient throng had gathered in
front of the depot and along the
streets included in the line of
march, long before the arrival of
the train, all anxious for glimpse
of the returning heroes. Mothers,
fathers, sisters, brothers, sweet
hearts, relatives and friends were
there Women and children car
ried flowers with which to strew
the pathway of the boys.
Flags floated from every build
ing and pole. Decorations had
been hung with lavish and an ar
tistic hand At Twentieth street
and Second avenue were stretched
across the thorofare in large let
tiers Company A. the Pride of
Rock Island" while loving SEN
fences were expressed in large let
tiers hung on banners at cOnspIC-
uous places.
The line of march was a con-
tinuous arch of red, white and blue.
ArmOry hall was beautifully ar
rayed in the patriotic colors
The announcement that the train
was an hour late in getting away
from Springfield Occasioned great
disappointment and uneasiness, but
if anything seemed to increase the
enthusiasm.
Factories and stores closed and
schools being dismissed for the aft
ernOOn.
Minutes seemed hours as the
time for the> arrival of the soldiers
grew nearer. The sound of an en-
CINE in the distance hushed the
surging throng to silence, and the
knowing glance was exchanged,
and hats shot into the air, hand
kerchiefs, parasols and arms and
flags waved, and such a demonstra-
before was at its height.
Relatives wept with joy as they
crowded toward the cars to catch
sight of the faces of their beloved
ones. 1t was an affecting sight
one that will live for ever in the
memories of those who were pres
ent.
The Advance Signal.
The waterwOrks, Obedient to
Mayor MedilI's order, sounded the
advance signal at 1875. The mel
odious and familiar notes of the
great whistle were soon taken up
by the other whistles. on factories
and locomotives. The bells on all
the fire department buildings and
churches joined in, and the chorus
continued at intervals until the
train arrived when all swelled the
welcome to the returning heroes.
Early in the day the committee on
the arrangements had enclosed a
portion of Twentieth street half
way north OF Second avenue with
ropes, and Awithin these lines the
procession was formed success
fully by Chief Marshal Halves and
aids, but the instant the column be
gar to move the multitude broke
through the line and thereafter
the semblance of ORDER disap-
peared, as relatives and friends,
eager to embrace the boys fell
upon them. The procession became
a stream of humanity, increasing
at every step2 as it swept down
Second avenue
The order of parade was formed
before the train came in.
The squad of young ladies under
direction of Mrs Mae Jacobs, and
carrying American and Cuban flags
on spears, formed an arch, under
which the boys marched from the
train platform. the eX-members OF
the company under the command
of E. H Bowman. receiving their
comrades first, and acting as guard
OF honor. The SICK were helped to
carriages in waiting, which were
assigned TO places in the process
sion The order of procedure was
as follows:
Platoon of police.
Mayor T j Medill. Jr, Marshal
c. w. Halves. Chief Aid II. c. Con-
nelly and Captain c. Med. Town
send.
Bleuer's band.
Ladies Relief society in Uniform
John Buford post. G. A. r.
Shiloh command. L. V. L.
Veterans of Civil war.
County officers and supervisors,
city officers and city council
EX-members of Company A,
Sixth regiment.
U. s. naval reserves.
Company A, Sixth Illinois volun-
teers.
Young Ladies' Patriotic union.
Carriages containing sick sol
diers
Young ladies' drin corps.
Augustana band, college faculty
and students.
School children.
Citizens.
The procession reformed and
though slightly disorganized, nov
ed down Second avenue to Fiji
teenth street to Third and east to
the armory, where the boys we're
delivered over to those who now
have the hest right to them.
A committee of former members
of Company A which the general
committee last night authorized
Captain H. A. Mcdonald to select
and accompany him, left on the
Peoria train this morning for Wy
oming where the boys were met
This committee included Captain
H. A Mcdonald. T. H. McNevin, D.