The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-12
SOLDIER BOYS
OF THREE TOWNS
WELCOMED BACK
williamsburg, Glen Karn and
Bethel Turn Out En- Masse
to Greet Returned Heroes.
BY WILLIAM r. SANBORN

II you were among those present IN
lrelau's grove at williamsburg Thurs
day at the welcome home celebration
for the soldier boys. you will cheer
fully admit that it was a joyous and
long to be remembered occasion.
The mothers and fathers, the sis
tiers, sweethearts and wives of those
boys will ever recall the day as Red
Letter occasion.
Wasn't 1t a splendid program, fitting
TO the happy and grateful spirit of the
day and hour? How glad everybody
seemed to be; how contented these
mothers and sisters. and how proud
these fathers that a manly and patri-
otto son had gone forth to battle for
the safety of civilization, and for the
protection of millions of women and
little children. across the sea.
And now these sons of three COM
munities, williamsburg and Glen Karn,
Ohio. and of Bethel. Ind, were at
home again, safe and comfortable
once more mid family and friends
There were more than sixty of the
young warriors on the grounds, and
yet not more than a half dozen were
seen in uniform.
Nor We're any formally introduced
from the grandstand. They mingled
contentedly with the various groups
which thronged the grove, Jared stump,
tuously with numerous basket picnic
gatherings, met friends not seen since
the final leavetaking, in many in
stances, and thus renewed the ties of
friendship.
An Enjoyable Program
The program covered the entire day
from nine till nine. At the close OF
the afternoon program in the grove
the crowd moved enmasse to the cen
ter Of the town to view the grand
parade Of decorated cars and floats.
The parade was voted a surprising
success, regardless Of the fact tina,
three towns participated. The com
mittee on entertainment planned with
thoughtful care, and the young men
and women taking part are entitled tc
much credit for the attractiveness OF
the ensemble. There was much sym
bolism in some of the groupings and
both costumes and decorations were
happily and effectively interblended
The paraders took part in the morn
ing exercises, which opened the home
coming day, but there were more in
were all complete.
NC IIO"u DSSdu W gamer III lue
grove at 10 o'clock. They came pre-
basket picnic affair, day of family
reunions and of the meeting of friends
"a day Of thanksgiving and plenty.
The grove was fringed with cars
hundreds of them. These cars con
tanned good things to eat in abund
ance. BY II o'clock the grass in the
shade of the protecting trees wer.
Whitened with tablecloths, laden will
the contents of a hundred home pan
tries and circled about by groups, ou
for the enjoyment of a Care-free day.
Jordan Speaks.
The formal program began at l. 81
a which time Charles Thomas of Hol
lansburg, chairman of the day, intro
duced Charles w. Jordan, of Rich
mond, to an attentive and interested
audience.
The Greenvtlle band was seated IL
front the platform and there were pat
riotic airs and some community sing
ing before the principal address of tn
day by Mr.. Jordan. The invocation
was pronounced by Rev. A. J. Frazier
formerly of williamsburg, but now G
Wakarusa, Indiana. Mr.. Frazier ais
led the singing in campmeeting style
and the songs were sung from tn
heart.
Following Jordan's address cam
Miss Fay Southland in a patriotic rec
tation. Among the songs of the hou
were: America" "Onward. Christia
Soldiers" and "Blest Be the Tie tina
Binds" the latter concluding the son
service.
Morris w Richardson, now superb
tendent of the williamsburg schools
who saw service in France, gave
brief talk on that country, ignorin
all personal experiences while owe
seas.
At the conclusion of the parad
which CirCled the streets. a number
athletic contests, parades and drills
the Camp Fire girls, etc, enlivene
the evening hours until the asser
blage wended its homeward way.
Not Seriously injured
Two good bands were in the parad
Greenville and williamsburg. each II
pride of their towns. During the afte
noon numerous airplane fights wei
made by Lieut.. ROdefeldt in the Che
OWeth machine. and several passe
gers viewed the merry-makers fro
the sky.
Nol single accident marred tf
day until after the parade had di
banded. Then word went round tn
Theodore Flatter's little seven-yea
old son had been run over by an au
and had been taken unconscious to Il
home of Dr. G. w. Harley
Doctor Harley informed The p
ladium Friday morning that the lit
fellow was not seriously injured, al
was getting along nicely.
A woman's brain reaches the grea
est weight about the age of tWent