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German Day A Big Success

German Day A Big Success image
Parent Issue
Day
15
Month
August
Year
1902
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

It Closed About Daybreak Friday Morning

YESTERDAY'S SPEECHES

Mayor Dawson Made Address of Welcome and John P. Kirk Spoke Happily of the Event

The German Day celebration came to & formal close Friday morning at daybreak, when the last dancer left the Arbeiter hall, but in reality the event had its end with the fireworks display at 10 o'clock Thursday, for shortly after that time practically all of the Germans went to their homes.

All night there was dancing, but it was carried on almost entirely by American young people, for the Germans had had enough of merry-making at a comparatively early hour, and besides they had to make connections with the Michigan Central or the electric line to reach their homes.

After the speaking in the afternoon the big crowd devoted itself to the various attractions on and around the grounds, and at 6 o'clock there was a general descent upon the eating places and many left the grounds, to return later.

EVENING PROGRAM.

The program after supper was dancing in the hall, and the display of a generous supply of fireworks.

Throughout the celebration it was noticeable that almost none of the comparatively few cases of drunkenness or disputing was due to Germans. The Germans were enjoying themselves over innumerable glasses of beer, but they were but slightly affected by the amber fluid and continued quiet and peaceful.

Several losses of money by pocketpicking were reported to the police, and a number of suspects were arrested and subjected to examination and questioning, but in every instance guilt was not established, so the men were released. Chief of Police Warner -was on the grounds throughout the day and evening with an efficient staff of uniformed and plain clothes men, and the work of the force was so thoroughly and quietly done that no disturbance had time to pass beyond the initial stage, and there was very little pocketpicking in view of the size of the crowd and the excellent opportunity for such operations. Those having charge of the celebration speak very highly of the police service furnished by Chief Warner, and say that to his efforts is due in considerable measure the absence of incidents that might have marred the pleasure of the day.

POLITICAL ASPIRANTS.

A feature of the celebration was the number of aspirants for political honors who had dropped in to see "Us Germans." Townsend of Jackson, the district's nominee for congress on the Republican ticket, was on hand, talking crops and German with the visitors and their Frauen; and not far from Townsend was W. W. Wedemeyer, of Ann Arbor, a gentleman who missed the candidate class by being defeated by Townsend, but who was handing out as strong a jolly as if he were out after a second term. D. A. Hammond, of Ann Arbor, democratic candidate for auditor general, was shaking hands with his old friends from Washtenaw and Jackson; and there was a crowd of those who are after the sheriff's job--Clancy and Kelsey of Arm Arbor, Lowden off Ypsilanti town, and Lehman of Chelsea, on the democratic ticket; and Burke, of Northfield, among the republicans. Chief of Police Warner is also an aspirant for the republican nomination, but he disclaimed, any political intent in his presence at the Grove Thursday.

A ball game was scheduled between the Dexter Athletic club and the Papermakers, but in the third inning, with the score 3 to 2 in favor of Dexter, the Ypsilanti lads left the field because of a decision of the umpire, thus forfeiting the game.

The members of the local Arbeiter lodge are well pleased with the celebration and say that everything carne up to their expectations. They worked hard and faithfully and did not scrimp in their entertainment of the visitor, and to their efforts is due in large measure the success of the day.

The next annual celebration will be held at Chelsea.