Preparing for Big Celebration on Thursday, May 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, May 5, 1919

Celebration on Thursday a Big Affair

With the big celebration scheduled for Thursday and much work to be done before the soldiers and sailors are given the grand welcome, the various committees are actively on the job in order that everything may be in readiness when the band plays. The tentative program calls for the forming of the parade at 12:30, with the Morganton band at its head, and the dinner and exercises at Claremont College at 1:30. Lieut. William T. Councill will be chief marshal. Fraternal orders are yet to report how many members they will have in line.

The invocation will be delivered by Rev. J.D. Puritt at the grounds, when dinner will be served on long tables to the boys. This will be followed by America by the band, a quartette by Mrs. J.H. Shuford, Mrs. C.C. Bost, Mr. W.R. Weaver and Mr. John M. Stephens, the words being composed for the occasion by Mrs. Bost. The address will be made by Judge W.B. Councill and the response by Major Geo. L. Lyerly.

Thursday, May 8, has been declared a holiday by Mayor J.D. Elliot, who came into office today. His first official act was the following proclamation:

Mayor’s Proclamation

By virtue of the power conferred upon me as mayor of the city of Hickory, I hereby declare Thursday, May 8, as a holiday, and request that all business as far as possible be suspended from 12 o’clock noon of that date. This suspension of business will enable all our citizens to participate in the big celebration in honor of our soldier boys of this and adjoining counties.

I make this further request that at noon on Thursday, May 8, all whistles be blown and all bells of the city rung in honor of this celebration. Furthermore, that the city put its best foot forward in having clean yards as well as clean streets and sidewalks and that our entire citizenship join in this glad welcome to our soldier heroes.

All business houses and private homes should show the colors profusely, and knowing the patriotism of our people, I feel satisfied this will be done.

--J.D. Elliott, Mayor

Hickory, N.C., May 5, 1919

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Where to Leave Food Donations

For those who are contributing food for the soldiers’ and sailors’ dinner on Thursday of this week and may not know where to send it, the following information is given:

Hens and hams to be boiled tender must be sent to the ward chairman living nearest early Wednesday afternoon. Please do not cut up the chicken or slice the hams.

Salad dressing to be sent to the Hickory canteen on Wednesday. Cakes, pies, pickles and deviled eggs to be sent to Claremont college Thursday morning between 8 and 9 o’clock. If the ladies donating eggs cannot devil them will send them will send them hard-boiled to their ward chairmen where the work will be done.

In case persons cannot possible send their possessions to the college they may be sent to the home of their ward chairmen, but they must be sent on Wednesday as early as possible.

Following is a list of the ward chairmen:

First ward—Mrs. R.L. Bumgarner, Mrs. J.L. Riddle.

Second ward—Mrs. Fred Jones, Mrs. J.J. Hefner.

Third ward—Mrs. Fred Abernethy, Mrs. R.J. Foster.

Fourth ward—Mrs. J.H.P. Cilley, Mrs. J.F. Allen.

Spring Chickens are not coming in as rapidly as they should, and anyone having some to give to the dinner or sell may phone Mrs. K.C. Menzies.