Thousands Here for
the Big Jubilee
With the weather uncertain this morning, Hickory began
filling early with visitors from all sections and by noon the streets were almost
impassable. The sun and clouds played hide and seek and it was difficult at an early
hour to say much about the weather—only that it appeared that nothing worse
than a shower or two would occur during the day.
While Hickory concerns were not expected to close until
noon, the fact of the matter is that the holiday feeling was gnawing at every
one’s bones, and one and all were not very businesslike. They could not be,
with the crowds and excitement to feed upon.
Here for the celebration were people from everywhere. Newton
turned out by the hundreds. Conover sent its best. Claremont, Catawba and
Maiden and all the rural sections were represented by large numbers, and
Caldwell, Alexander, Burke and Lincoln counties had their delegations here. It
was a giant crowd that responded to the invitation for a celebration in honor
of the soldiers.
Although the crowds were on the street early, the greatest
stream came in on No. 36 this morning from the west. At least 500 people,
soldiers and their girls and mothers and fathers, landed here, all in a good
humor and prepared to enjoy the day, rain or shine. It was noticed that the
boys in many cases were accompanied by their sweethearts and some mighty pretty
lasses they were.
The noon trains were even more crowded with passengers. No.
36 carried them all in coaches and the baggage and mail cars, and soldiers helped
the girls to swing to the ground from the side doors. But the noon trains
brought still larger crowds—from east and west an automobiles came in from
every direction.
Three bands added to the gaiety of the throng. West Hickory,
Morganton and Salisbury bands were on the job and the afternoon and evening promised
to be gay.
Folks who at 9 o’clock feared rain appeared more optimistic
towards 10:30, when it seemed that the rain was merely suspense.
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