Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-06-17
HARDLNC'S TOWN
WILL CELEBRATE
Centenary of Marion, Presidents
old Home Town, To Be
Observed July 2-6

MARION, o., June 17.-(By the
Associated Press The eyes of the
country, focused on Marion two years
ago, again will be turned to this
Ohio town, which has sent the twen-
ty-ninth president to the White
House, July 2 to 6. Marion will be
100 years old then, and it plans to
entertain more distinguished citizens
during the four-day centenary cele-
bration, than in the rushing days of
the Harding campaign, when many
nctables flocked here.
OF more importance to Marion peo-
pie than the centenary itself, will be
the return at that time of theirs and
the country's first citizen" Presi-
dent Warren G. Harding, and Mrs.
Florence King Harding. 1t will be
the first time the Hardings have
come back to their home town since
they left a year and a half ago.
General John J. Pershing has
promised to attend the celebration,
as has Secretary of War Weeks;
Bri2adicr General c. E. Sawyer, per-
sonal physician to the president;
Brigadier General Charles G. Dawes;
Major General Reed; D. r. Crissing-
er, comptroller of the currency; Geo.
B. Christian, Jr., secretary to the
president; Governor Harry L. Davis,
of Ohio; former Governor James E.
Campbell, of Ohio; General Warren
Kcifer, former speaker of the house
of representatives, and the oldest liv-
ing general of the Civil War, and
Judge w. Z. Davis.
In addition, Major George w.
Nicely, of Marion, will send personal
invitations to the mayors of 81 towns
and cities in the country, inviting
them to attend. Special invitations
will be sent to every cabinet officer,
both of Ohio's senators, all Of her
congressman, state legislators, and
officials, and the mayors of all Ohio
cities and towns. Newspaper men
and great minds" who were here
during the front porch campaign,
will be asked to retrun.
In the latter part of 1921 the Ma
rion chamber of commerce named a
committee of 36 to prepare for the
centenary observance. The commit
tee included DR.. George T. Hard
ing, father of the president; George
W. Christian, Sr., father of Presi-
dent Harding's secretary; Tracy R.
Allen, great grandson of the founder
Of Marion, and the neighbors and
friends of the president.
The celebration will last through
July 5, opening on Sunday, with re-
liigous services.
Monday morning, the mayor of the
city formally will open the centennial
by turning over the keys of the city
to Eber Baker, of Chicago, the old
est grandson Of the founder of Ma
rion. The morning program will in
cIude addresses by Governor Davis
and Judge Davis. Mrs. Geneva
JohhStOhe-BlShop soprano of Los An
geles, formerly of Marion, will sing
at the opening program.
Monday evening there will be a
music festival the program of which
will be furnished by former residents
of Marion, who have established
regulations as musicians in other
cities and states. Among those who
will take part will be Mrs. Johnstone-
Bishop, Mrs. Mary Stockwell Durfey.
Toledo; Miss Anna Louise Daze, of
Chicago; Willard Osborne. of Cleye-
land; Miss Sybil Sanderson Fagan,
of Springfield, o.; George C. Kreig-
er, of Minneapolis; Harry Mealey,
of Cleveland; Mrs. Helen Davis Bim-
boni, of New York, and other.
The entire program Of events
Tuesday will be turned over to the
American Legion. Wednesday will
be G. A. R. day.