[Newspaper]
Publication: The Evening Times
Muncie, IN, United States
vol. 29, no. 141, p. 1, col. 1-2
FOR THE TOIL-HARDENED HUNDREDS
The Bands Played and the People Cheered as the
Great Pageant Moved Through the Principal
Streets of the City, This Morning,
MUNCIE LABOR DAY
An Interesting Program is
Being Rendered at the Fair
Grounds, Today
It is Labor day. To the music of the bands, amid the cheers of the thousands who line the streets the toil-hardened hundreds by whose labors a great nation has been builded out of a wilderness, are moving. It is a peaceful army, marching in a land of peace — a patriotic phalanx, giving to the world a lofty example of what education, enlightenment and civilization in America are doing. And just as the hundreds are marching in Muncie, so are the millions all over the land. In honor of those who toil the populace comes forth once each year to do them honor and give them respect. To-day there is a community of interests between all toilers. They are united under a common banner-the stars and stripes that float at the head of all columns; that stand for the principles of the great Union-the union of States and the union of liberties.
And the toilers that are marching today to the cheering music are mindful of those who are engaged in a great struggle to uphold the principles that all unionism represents. And a feeling of sadness must needs be mingled with that of joy as they reflect that ere long babes may be hungering and strong men weakened because of devotion to principle; because of a belief in the righteousness of the great struggle of the Amalgamated Association.
There seldom has been a larger crowd on the public streets of the city than there was this morning when the big parade began to move. The sidewalks were so crowded that one in a hurry must use the street. The factories were closed and many business houses ceased operations in order that employes might march in the procession. The factory people turned out en masse. A peculiar feature was the large number of country people upon the streets. Judged from the standpoint of crowds this Labor Day celebration in Muncie was probably the most successful of all.
This afternoon the street cars bound to the fair grounds, where the program of sports is being given, were crowded, and it is estimated there are several thousand people who paid admission to the fair grounds.
THE PARADE.
The parade which is always an important factor in every Labor Day demonstration, started soon after 10 o’clock, with hundreds of men in line. A few of the local trades unions wer [sic] were not represented, having arranged to go out of town, but with the exception of probably half a dozen unions the union element was all in line. Although the workmen turned out by the hundreds there was an absence of a large number of floats and decorated wagons that have been in evidence on previous occasions of the kind and which have added to the beauty of the spectacle. There were a few artistic displays, however, and those that were in line were creditable.
The main parade began to move from the corner of High and Jackson streets. The line at the time of the start extended several squares down the street. [missing text] cross street to Howard various [missing text] in. By the time the [missing text] was in motion it extended [missing text] distance of several squares. [missing text] was once formed it [missing text] from Jackson [missing text] station 2 was not in the parade owing to the wagons being in the repair shop. Carriages containing the speakers of the day followed.
In the carriages were William Coke, of Marion, and State Factory Inspector McAbee, of Indianapolis. Labor Commissioner McCormack and Governor Durbin wired the committee this morning that they could not be here owing to unforeseen circumstances. Chairman Orebaugh also was in the speakers' carriage. In the carriage following were the members of the Labor Day committee, Messrs. Hathaway, Benjamin Horton, Robert Cordle and W. H. McFadden.
The members of the A. A. I., S. and T. W. were next in line. In the entire association there are more men than in any one branch of trades represented here. The men were divided according to their lodges, however, and came in the following order: Hoosier Lodge, No. 40, in charge of George H. Wilson, 95 men; Muncie Lodge, No. 20, Ed Herron in charge, 175 men; Midland Lodge, No. 23, 250 men, Harry Hiner in charge; White Star Lodge, No. 26, 60 men, John Fonslow, division marshal; Unity Lodge No. 7, 150 men, James English, division captain; I. M. U. Lodge, No. 177, 16 men. The division was closed by 75 men from local union, No. 23, with Harry Norman in charge.
Local members of the G. B. B. A. of America made a good showing, having about 120 men in line. The glass workers followed the iron and steel workers.
Watson's band of twelve pieces headed the section in which appeared the members of the Barbers' Union, Journeymen Tailors’ Union, Building Trades' Union, Printers' Union and a number of others. The Building Trades' Union was one of the best represented organizations in line. The lathers, tinners, carpenters, etc., added to the aggregate of the turnout.
The Cigarmakers' Union was also well represented with the entire membership. At various places in the parade appeared numerous floats. The members of the W. I. U. L. L. about 40 strong appeared on one wagon drawn by four horses. The children of the Avondale and Industry Free Kindergartens were also hauled over the line of march in a big float drawn by four horses. The instructors in the two schools accompanied them. Two colored footmen in livery were in attendance. The drug firm of Galliher & Prutzman, the Indianapolis Brewing Company, D. P. Campbell, Lon Handley, the Bazaar and S. L. McKimmey had exhibits in line, as did also Klus & Groulef.
Fred J, Wilder was grand marshal. His division marshals were James English, W. H. McClung. B. J. Grant and Simeon Wright. After going over the line of march the members went to the fair grounds where the exercises of the afternoon were held. These consisted of horse, bicycle and foot races and speech making. The principal speeches were delivered by D. H. McAbee and William Coke, of Marion. Both speakers addressed large crowds.