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Newspaper
The Evening Press
Location
Middletown, Connecticut, United States of America
Date
May 31, 1919
Page
2
A long parade through Middletown featured bands, veterans, and civic groups. The Navy banner, Red Men, D A R, and IOOF units honored service flags, with George and Martha Washington riding in a phaeton and local bands delivering lively tunes. City water praised, lunch boxes shared, and police praised for traffic management.
A memorial service marked the Welcome Home parade’s end, with an improvised altar at the Honor Roll. Uniformed troops formed a square around the altar as flower girls placed baskets and names of fallen soldiers were read. The Marine band played, three volleys and taps followed, and veterans’ respect showed mutual regard along the field.
John F Burns led the J Section parade as marshal with Lythe St Johns parish aides. The St Johns church flag with 263 stars and 10 gold service pins drew applause from the crowd. Center street residents and civilians from overseas forces joined as Navy and Army members were represented.
In a local procession the A A H and L C C B A members displayed decorated autos with officers riding. A service flag bore a gold star for Sebastiano Romano of Company C, the first Middletown youth to die in service after the war began, and another star marked his death in France from battle wounds.
The Welcome Home parade showcased floats with careful detail and color, breaking monotony. Notable entries included Mansfield Women's Relief Corps, Daughters of Liberty, Middletown High School girls, Girl Scouts, and industry displays from Goodyear, Cromwell Gardens, and Connecticut State Hospital among others.
Veterans gathered at St John s cemetery on Memorial Day as St John s parochial scholars led by Sisters of Mercy sang patriotic songs and helped place plants on graves. They moved to Johnson street cemetery for similar rites and paid tribute at the Sheridan monument with a concise address by Attorney William J. Coughlin. Flags adorned over 100 graves as silent testimonies to valor.
Soldiers, guards, and musicians were served a lavish meal on the South Green and in the Town Hall, organized by a dedicated committee and church workers. Red Cross volunteers oversaw the tables as bands performed, and the crowd enjoyed a Memorial day spread amid flowers and neat decor.
Late yesterday bands performed to a large crowd with concerts and dances drawing hundreds. The event showcased local musical groups and lively community entertainment.
The Russell Fig. Company floral basket float drew praise as one of the grand procession’s most artistically arranged displays. Credit goes to the decorating teams led by Misses Alice Poppe Eleanor Foster Mae OConnell Irene Hendley and many others with a volunteer fire unit in formal dress adding to the scene. The Russell Mfg Company volunteers formed a striking guard with Fire Chief John Vincent supervising. their display contrasted with a hoped for Locomobile fire truck still under construction awaiting delivery.
Mayor Arthur V. McDowell welcomed returning soldiers of Middletown at a luncheon and delivered an address. Councilman Edward Ferree and Oscar V. Welker distributed bronze Allied Victory medals, inscribed with World War Service and the city seal, presented to the soldiers by the citizens of Middletown.
During a pause the Philharmonic band of New Britain played Smiles and sang four verses while the crowd joined in the second verse. Salvatore Adorno directed the Grand Theatre group for photographs before the Evening Press building. The Junior O U A M service flag had six stars and two gold stars. Apollo Lodge Knights of Pythias formed five triangles with sticks. 80 members of the Sons of Hermann were in uniform, six died in service. Colt’s Band of New Haven led watchers in song. The shaded grand stand drew crowds, while sunny sections were sparsely filled. Soldiers from overseas represented nearly every AEF division. drum major of the Kitties band described as a wee bit of a man. The town wag stood at Washington and Main, enjoying the scene.
A Troy New York man Henry Dater reports months of kidney trouble and constipation relieved after using Fruit-a-tives fruit liver tablets. The ad touts nationwide praise, prices 50 cents per box, six for 2.50, trial 25 cents, from Fruit-A-Tives Limited Ogdensburg New York.
A festive scene unfolded yesterday as theatres candy makers and cool drink dispensers enjoyed brisk sales from delighted friends and guests not ordinary citizens.
A derailment near Brie Pennsylvania on the Nickel Plate Road involving a fast Chicago to New York train derailed the engine baggage car and two coaches. Two trainmen were hurt one passenger injured and many shaken. Injured were sent to an Erie hospital and passengers moved to a New York Central service.
Happenings in this vicinity recalls Memorial Day outings and events from 1894. E Kent Hubbard and E Brainard Buckley hosted Trinity students at Job's Pond. A intoxicated Westfield man beat his wife. neighbors aided. Mansfield Post of Brooklyn serenaded aboard the SS Continental on return. River trip with Hartford friends included a shad bake aboard Sweet's yacht. Seventy five percent of Mansfield Post veterans joined Memorial Day exercises. Mrs. S C Ray hosted a reception at Orpheus hall. Wil Atwell of Carrier's stable lost a valuable coach team to a kick from a horse. Commodore George H Bishop led Joseph Merriam, Fred B Chaffee, Eddie S Davis, Henry Woodward and W K Bacon at an event.
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