Sunday, May 5, 2019

Wilson Preparing for Arrival of Shriners Coming May 8, 1919

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., May 5, 1919

The Streets of Wilson. . . Aflame with Color in Anticipation of the Shriners Coming May 8th

The Watson Warehouse which will be used for the barbecue, dance and Shriners banquet is being decorated by artists. The Baner Ware house, where the ceremonial will be held, is being put in shape so that the sands which the “Frensh Meat” must travel o’er will be made extremely hot that day.

The street decorations are in place. The business houses are being decorated today. The town will surely have its best clothes on for the Wednesday and Thursday meeting.

Nash street between spring and Pine and Tarboro street between Nash and Barnes street will be roped off. Not only the street corners, so as not to allow automobiles in this space, but the side walks as well. This was made necessary because there will be over 400 candidates to participate in the street stunts, therefore, by roping them off every one will see the comedy.

The committee especially requests that all Wilson people leave their automobiles at home because there will be hundreds of other automobiles from the surrounding country. This is to protect against too much congestion in case of fire.

The Dance committee wishes to state that the dance held Wednesday night starting at 9 o’clock in the Watson Warehouse will be open to the people of Wilson, and it is the Committee’s desire that every one have the best time possible.

The Shriners Ball to be held Thursday night will be absolutely confined to Shriners and ladies only. Admission will be by ticket, or Shrine fez.

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In a box on the front page of The Daily News:

500 Homes Wanted to Take Shriners

Some way the idea has got abroad that Wilson is the best town in North Carolina. Several thousand of the leading men of this and other States are coming here Wednesday and Thursday of this week to see if this is so.

Shall hundreds of them return and say that they could not get a place to sleep in Wilson?

Sign your name on a postal card, give your street address and say how many of them you can give a place to sleep and mail at once to Rev. Morrison Bethea.

No meals to be furnished.

Wilson hospitality is on trial before North Carolina and the whole country.

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