The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1921-05-05
SHRnQERS GIVEN
ROYAL WELCOME
Greeted at Special Train by Big
Delegation and Offered Free.
den of the City
VISITORS IMMENSELY PLEASED
Masons and Eastern Stars Participate
in Dance at Legion Pavilion

Every new and then people FORUM
ate enough to claim residence in Oakes
have reason to feel especially proud of
the old town and everything connect
ed with it. Such an occasion was last
Friday evening, the date set by the
Fargo Shriners to pay our city an
official visit.
Members of the local Shrine club,
ably assisted by the ladies, without
whose cooperation the affair would
have fallen fiat, had labored unceas-
ingly for more than two weeks in or
der that the visitors might be proper
ly received. AS result Of these .ex-
tensive preparations the Shriners
came, saw, and were conquered.
Every merchant in town made up
his mind that his window decorations
should eutshine all former efforts and
make all his brother business men
green with envy. Every man succeed
ed, and the displays which greeted the
eyes sf the incoming Shriners were
wonderful to behold.
The Presbyterian church basement,
selected as the scene of the banquet,
was transformed into veritable fairy
land, as was also the Legion pavilion,
where the big dance was given. A
mammoth platform was erected on
Second street between the Oakes Ma
tional bank and Klein & Sutmar's
store, and here the initial program
was presented.
Long before time for the train to
arrive large crowd assembled at the
500 depot to greet the visiting Mobiles.
The Shrine club, consisting of about
sixty members, augmented by broth
ers from other sections, donned their
red fezzes and made an imposing spec
tacle az they marched down Second
street to welcome the Gate city con-
tingent.
Promptly at 600 o'clock the special
train pulled in and the Shriners, deck
ed out in all the gaudy colors of their
oriental finery, stepped to the ground,
lined up in marching order, and head
ed by their wonderful band, proceeded
up town.
On their arrival at the specially pre-
pared platform, Acting Mayor Scott
delivered a brief address of welcome
on behalf Of the city. Mr.. Scott an
nounced that during their stay in
Oakes the city belonged to the Shrin-
ers to do with as they saw fit. The
Jail had been locked from the outside,
the key thrown away and the sky was
the limit. Illustrious Potentate Ber-
nard v. Moore responded, assuring the
people Of Oakes that the welcome ex-
tended was heartily appreciated and
voicing the opinion that as the key to
the Jail had been lost, the city turned
over to the visitors and the banquet
was to be served in the church, that
was as near heaven as the visitors
ever expected to get. Mr.. Naylor then
extended welcome on behalf of the
local Shrine club and after the re-
sponse, again by the potentate, the Ell
Zagal band rendered selection which
was heartily encored, as was the offer
ing of the drum corps. The next fif-
teen minutes was given over to drill
by the Shrine patrol, and to say it was
marvellous only half expresses it. The
Scotch bagpipe artist, assisted by the
drummers, followed with pleasing
number, the Egyptian dancing girls
made their appearance in an oriental
dance and the program was concluded
when the chanters presented their Of
fering.
All this was merely preliminary to
the main event. the big feed. which
was given in the basement of the Pres
byterian church. Here the Shriners
and their ladies', numbering 365 per-
sons in all, sat down to one of the
most wonderful banquets ever served
in Oakes. Those who had spent so
much time and work preparing this
piece de resistance felt that they had
been amply repaid for their trouble
when they saw the pleased expressions
upon the faces Of the guests.
The banquet concluded, everybody
repaired to the Legion pavilion where
after brief program, the floor was
cleared and dancing enjoyed until mid.
night. Music for this was furnished
by Ell Zagal band, and twelve O'Clock
came at least four hours too soon.
All Of the visitors expressed them.
selves as more than pleased with the
reception accorded them, and those ir
charge Of the affair are certainly te
be commended. It was an unqualified
success in every particular and pleas.
ed the home folks as much as it did
those from out Of town.. It is such
occasions - this that lift. us out Of
the rut and show US the value Of CO.
operation. es6
While We are passing the bouquets
we must not forget our street com.
(, missioner. He shaved increasingly fol
two er three days in order to get thu
streets in presentable condition, and
n. (Concludsd on page y