Pages

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Thousands in Hickory May 8, 1919, for Big Jubilee to Honor Soldiers

From the Hickory Daily Record, May 8, 1919

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.

No comments:

Post a Comment