The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-11-17
TODAY In ALEDO
AND MERCER COUNTY
EVERYBODY ON
HAND FOR LAST
NIGHTS EVENTS
Old.Fashloned Celebration Stared
BY Republicans Enjoyed BY
Thousands Of People.

Dy RepuDuC3hS LmJOy0Q "
Thousands Of People.
Aledo streets were lined last
night by crowds who gathered to
witness the Republican jollifica-
ton, which included a half-mile
parade, featuring floats Of every
size and descriptions. bands. red
fire, torches. donkeys, elephants,
horns and every noise-producing
instrument yet invented and every
sort OF slogan and banner. The
parade formed at the Methodist
church on South College avenue at
1880. The start was delayed by
the late arrival of the band, which
was composed of musicians from
all pa.ts of the county and which,
following behind the speakers au-
tomobile, led the procession.
Following the band came the life
like G. 0. P. elephant, which was
manufactured in only a few short
hours after word had reached Har-
~ Studor, chairman of the enter
tainment committee, that the ele-
plant ordered from a Chicago firm
could not reach Aledo in time for
LAST nights parade. Following the
elephant came Cox's goat. Bob
Warnock of Aledo led the animal.
Behind the goat came Governor
Cox himself, accompanied by the IL
states carried by Cox and led by
a donkey which looked much as
though it had been in the road Of
the Republican landslide on Nov. 2:
Riding the donkey were two dunn
mics labeled Democratic Admins
tration" and 'The League of Ma
tions," which afterward we're burn
ed in effigy in the big bonfire which
was built in the yard Of the old
high school building. Following
the Democratic states came several
delegations of marchers, carrying
torches and red fire candles. Con-
siderable comment was heard in
admiration of the floats of the Cod
dess of Liberty and Uncle Sam.
Miss Mary Emmerson appeared as
the Goddess of Liberty and Hays
Hall as Uncle Sam. Prominent
Democratic men and women ap-
peared in a Democratic float, con-
structed on one Of the city's old
fire trucks, which is the official pa
troll wagon of Chief of Police
George Reed. Both marchers and
floats bore banners and signs with
many original slogans. One Of the
most attractive was the one labeled
''Gobble Gobbled Olson" Many of
the old-timers recognized this as
applying to Congressman w. j.
Graham. who was nicknamed Cob
BILE" in his youth. Other attractive
banners read: Bryan Votes a
Straight Ticket" "They Leagued
Us Not Into Temptation" THE
Women Voted Right" You Tell
Them, Harding" Let Cox Do the
Growing" and many others.
An attractive float, prepared by
the Bolton Electric company, car
ried a Delco light system, which
provided lighting arrangements for
the dance. At the head of the par
ade was an automobile containing
Congressman Graham, James A.
Allen, M. A. Anderson, and others.
The line of march was from the
Methodist church south on College
avenue to First street, east on
First street to Maple, north on Ma
pie to Seventh, west on Seventh
to College, and from there south
on College to Central park, where
a short program was given. Con-
gresham Graham, who was intro
duced by Secretary Allen, gave a
brief talk. The Republican glee
club, composed of A. K. Philleo,
Clarence Wells, Thomas Kenny and
Arthur Lindroff, rendered several
vocal selections. An additional
feature of the parade was the firing
at intervals during the evening of
a 3-inch field piece. The firing
crew was composed Of ex-service
men. An additional group of ex-
service men, members of the Fall
lerans post of the American Legion
in Aledo, voluntarily banded them
selves together as a firing squad.
The rifles and ammunition prom
Used for the occasion were not in
evidence.
Following the program at the
park the crowd. led by the band,
adjourned to the high school
grounds, where the big bonfire was
lighted. Confetti was used freely
during the evening by both the
marchers and the spectators. The
GROWING success OF the celebra-
ton was the G. o. P. elephant
Credit for the creation should be
given Gus Swanson. Glen Baker,
Harry Studor, "Bestie" Farr; DR..
M. M. Marquis, and others, who
worked on the beast yesterday
morning.
Early in the evening Aledo pre-
scented a holiday appearance, as
nearly every store was decorated.
In response to the request Of May
or S. B. Bolton, business houses
remained lighted during the eve
ming. Despite the use Of blazing
torches and the abundance of in
fiammable material used, not a
serious accident was reported to
have occurred during the evening.
Chief of Police George Reed states
that not a case of lawlessness or
disorder was reported. Too much