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Olivia Makes Day Memorable, Olivia Times, 11-21-1918

Patriotic Outburst in Olivia As War End and the Peace Treaty Signed

Big Patriotic Street Parade

Program of Music and Speaking in Armory with Motion Picture and Dancing

The war is over and from every American heart the expression of profound thankfulness ascends to the Throne of Heaven. July 11, 1918 will be recorded in the annals of the world’s history as the most important event since “Peace on Earth” was proclaimed to the children of men.

Never in the history of Olivia has she witnessed such a soul-stirring celebration as on Peace Day. From early morning until far beyond the midnight hour people thronged the streets in jubilant celebration. It was a real holiday and patriotic fervor ran high at all times.

The premature celebration of three days before, when a spontaneous outburst of exuberance took place in Olivia was a miniature affair compared with the big celebration on Monday. The news was received from the Associated Press by Rev. Father Pomije at 3 o’clock Monday morning and immediately the bell from St. Aloysius church began to ring, continuing throughout the day and night. When the news spread through the town other church bells joined in ringing out the glad tidings, whistles blew, guns roared and the celebration was on.

At ten o’clock a mess meeting was held in the armory and arrangements were made for a street parade. T. H. McGinty was appoint to take charge of the parade and with such enthusiastic workers as Rev. Emery, L. A. Lindenberg, O. T. Sunde, Albert Doering, N. Coucheron and a score of others improvised floats and decorated trucks were soon in readiness for the parade.

And what a magnificent parade. It started from the city park at 3 o’clock and extended a mile in length. First came the Red Cross women in automobiles, followed by an ambulance with Red Cross nurses and doctors. Next followed two large truck wagons loaded with women, “Mothers of the Boys Over There.” Following came the Olivia band, with L. A. Lindenberg leading, dressed as Uncle Sam, school children from public and parochial schools, old soldiers, boys in khaki, civilians in automobiles and on foot, a hearse bearing the Kaiser in a coffin, vehicles decked with banners and placards, horse men and pedestrians. A feature of the parade deserving of special complimentary notice was the large improvised cannon, which roared out shot and shell at frequent intervals and which served a very good purpose. The public school with its long line of march presented a pleasing sight and the parish school of Aloysianum, with its embalmed Kaiser and its exhibition of the “dove of peace,” was deserving of the praise it received.

The parade ended at the park where the blowing up of the Kaiser took place, his imperial majesty having been hung in effigy, shot and drawn and quartered previously during the day. Here Mayor Hall presented the keys of the city to Sergt. Billy Moor, who in receiving them made a spirited patriotic address to the large crowd assembled.

In the evening a program of patriotic speaking and music was given at the armory with J. R. Landy acting as chairman. The Olivia band played its most inspiring music and, with a chorus of town ladies furnished the kind of music desired. Mrs. C. A. Heins and Mrs. A. Paulson sang a delightful duet, responding to a hearty encors. Addresses of a stirring patriotic nature were delivered by Mayor D. S. Hall, Sergt. Moore. Rev. W. S. Emery, C. A. Heins, Geo. F. Gage, Rev. H. D. Pomije, J. M. Freeman and M. J. Dowling, all of which emphasized the importance of the occasion and were exultant over the glorious victory won. At the close of Mr. Dowling’s masterly address contributions were called for toward the United War Work Fund and in a few minutes, $2,800 were raised. A moving picture show followed, the Y.M.C.A. Triangle being secured for the occasion and following this was a dance.

It was a great day, and a great occasion.