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German Day At Dexter

German Day At Dexter image
Parent Issue
Day
18
Month
August
Year
1897
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Il' one of the old school patriots, those i our grandfathers day, had been priileged to have gazed upon tlie scène t Dexter Thursday last without being ïformed of its nature, he wou ld have t once pronounced it a glorious Fourth f July celebration. There were flags nd decorations of bunting and everreens all over the tovvn, while the Dage was as full of guests as the lakes long tl ie lluron now are of water. The event was not the 4th of July, lowever, hut a celebration of the anniersary of the landing of the first Germans upon Aineiican soil. The crowd was probahly as large as )exter has seeu in many a year. All ie people from the surrounding towns auie in to see or take part in the perormance, and excursions from the east s far as Detroit and the west as far as acksou added many hundred to the amber. They were not all Germans r deseendants of Germans, either one, vho were there, but all natioualities oined in doing honor to the people who have done so mucli to help build p this natiou and who have impressed pon the American character the iudelijle features of industry and honesty. The proeession that formed in the orenoon at about 10 a. in., was a fiue ne, over a mile in length. ïhere were ive bands ia the procession, the Gilt Sdge Band and Becker's Military Band oí Ann Arbor, and also the Ypsilanti, Clieisea and Lima bands. Alex. Daneer marshalled the advaneing hosts, assisted by Fred Jedele. After marehing through the principal streets of the vülage the entire cortege marched to Smith's grove west of town a half niile or so, where the festivities of the day took place. Here "lemonade" stands had been erected and refreshment booths were plentiful. Here also occurred the speaking, which conimenced at about 11 o'clock a. ui. The president of the day was Ernest Ellsasser, who called the assemblage to order, and introduced the various speakers of the day. Judge ÍN'ewkirk fired the first oratorical gun, and surprised man y oí his friends by speaking in both English anc Germán. What he had to say was uuusually good. He reviewed the history of the Germán race in this uation, uu paid a glowing tribute to their sturdy characters, their industry and tlieir trae nobüity, wlncli liad furnished a beu rock of adamant in building np tliis great people iu this great natiou. After Judge Newkirk had completad his oration by a brilliant peroration in the Teutonic tongue, the people vvere so exhausted that they partook "of reEreshuieiits, not daring to pustpone this 3sary part of the programe while another speaker should enun their heads full of thoughts for them to digest. To digest the thoughts already absorbed physical strength ueeded sustenauce, and so an intertnission of a couple of houra was taken for that purpose. At 2 o'clock p. m., Hon. Louis J. Lisemer, of Ann Arbor was introduced, aud although our reporter was not able to uuderstand much oí what he said, yet the applause, and evident satisfaction of thejuidience were sufficient evidenc that he spoke eloquent words of wisdom that will long be remembered. Mr. Liseiner was followed by Deputy Railroad Commissioner Wedemeyer whose speeches are always a delight t his oíd friends here, and those friend are only limited in Washtenaw county by the numbeï of its inhabitants. After the speaking the people busied themselves in various ways, music being not among the least. In the evening Capt. Schuh, of Ann Arbor took charge of the fire works, which were excellent, and the day closed with the general expression tliat it had been a remarkably enjoyable one. Gertnan day in Dexter will never be forgotten by those who attended. ■ Told ye Zone was the man for marshal. A few uights ago he arrested three colored men and a white man for shooting Ann Arbor crups. Each paid a fine of $4.70, which tliey had made out of each other. Tiiere were only ten cents in the crowd when the game began.-

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Courier