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VOLUME XXVII
PLATTSMOUTII, NEBRASKA. THURSDAY, SKPTKMliEIt 5, 1907.
NUMBER iUl
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An Interesting Crowd in Attendance; the Larg
est Gathering in Many Years.
EVERYBODY SEEPED PLEASEI
Governor Sheldon the Center of Attraction, and
the People of His Home County
Eager to Meet Him.
The showers of Sunday evening and
night had cooled the air and annihilated
the dust so that at the beginning of the
preparations yesterday for the Labor
Day festivities, the weather was ideal,
and not one could have wished for a
more pleasant day than yesterday prov
ed. During the entire time it was cloduy
with occasionally a glimpse of the sun
breaking through the rifts of the can
opy which nature had provided as pro
tection from the heat.
Early were preparations being made
for the entertainment of the crowds
which were to come; the proprietors of
the refreshment and amusement stands
were in evidence. The Burlington train
No. 4, brought the principal speakers.
Governor George L. Sheldon, Hugh A.
Meyers and George L. Loomis, who were
met at the station by the band and work
men from the coach shops and an im
mense crowd of citizens who escorted
them to the Hotel Riley, and after they
had made ready the parade took place.
Assembling at the lower portion of Main
street, thence marching as per the pro
gram, up Main street to Sixth turning
there and marching back to the court
house where the addresses were made.
Rev. Salsbury had been selected as
the chairman; after calling the people
together and tendering them the privi
lege of tramping down the grass on the
lawn, he introduced the first speaker.
Judge H. D. Travis, who, when he arose
to speak,it was evident he was not well,
said that had he been feeling well, and
ke addressing the people he would still
defer making an extended speach as he
well knew the people wanted to hear
their governor, and he would not be one
on this occasion to delay the opportuni
ty. Welcoming those who were holding
the celebration, he told them that the
liberties ot the people were safeguard
ed by the American workmen.
The next speaker, Senator J. L.
Root, who, when introducedsaid he was
glad to meet so many of the citizens
who were out to celebrate labor day,
and that he felt like placing a ditto
mark under what Judge Travis had said
and sit down. But said the institutions
of the people which were for the per
petuity of the rights and liberties of
the people were in the keeping of the
people themselves, and that while so
guarded nothing could defeat their de
sires. Thanking the people for their
attention he gave way to those that
were to follow. The next speaker who
Rev. Salsbury said "lived in a suburb
just north of town,"
Hon Hush L. Myers
of Omaha, addressed the crowd. He
said, when he was told that he was on
the program, that he was reminded of
a story wherein one poet coming upon
another out in a desert where a crowd
of other men were buried in the sand
fjl but their heads. Upon being asked
what he was doing, he told his fellow
poets that he was reading one of his
favorite poems to an audience that
could not get away. He said he had an
audience that would not go away while
he talked, as they were going to stay
fc hear Judge Loomis and Governor
Sheldon. Therefore they must hear
him speak. This tickled the crowd and
put them in a humor for. listening to
the fine address he made them. He
said, in substance, "That there was
much for the workman . to consider in
the questions which present themselves
for the adjudication of the present, and
rr
phot
that the intelligence of the workman,
actuated and directed by his love for
justice and fair play, would be the key
note in the solution of any and all the
knotty problems of the age." Mr.
Myers made a very eloquent speech and
it was well received by the people, who
applauded what he had to say very
roundly.
Rev. Salisbury said in introducing
Judge Loomis that he came from a city
which had made more substantial pro
gress than any other city outside of
Omaha in the state in the recent past
and that the speaker had been instru
mental in that progress and we would
now hear how it had been accomplished.
Hon. George L. Loomis.
After greeting the people the speaker
said that the brotherhood of man was
the foundation of society and that the
old saying, "live and let live," was
misconstrued and was as far from what
it was intended to convey when we
said it as "light was from darkness. "
For the policy of "live and let live,"
was this and nothing more, "every man
for himself and let the hindermost save
himself, if possible." The doctrine
which he wished to promulgate was
"To live and help live." This he said
was the essence of the teachings of the
brotherhood of man and the fatherhood
of God. He had no fear of the ending
of the government from any act of the
the workingman, but that history has
taught that when governments decay
and crumble it is from causes which
arise from that class of society which
call themselves the upper crust of it,
and then from their debauchery, but
never from the acts of the people who
do the work. True, he said, the work
ingmen have thrown off the yoke of
oppression and struck down their gov
ernment in order to preserve their
liberties, but the cause led back to the
aets of another class of people . than
they. They had not caused the condi
tions which had made this necessary,
but it was to remedy the state of af
fairs, which had resulted from the acts
of that class of society which had
thought, in themselves, resided all the
wisdom of the ages, and who considered
the laboring man not capable of govern
ing even himself. The speaker was
feeling very badly and spoke with the
greatest difficulty, and it was apparent
that he was very nearly overcome with
the heat generated by the reflection of
the partly obscured sun on the glass
doors and side lights of the court house
at his back. In order that he might
proceed Rev. Salsbury held an umbrella
over him until he had finished speaking.
Governor Sheldon
In the introduction given Governor
Sheldon by Rev. Salsbury, said that he
was siezed by a desire to make a speech
but feared he would be proceeded against
for an infraction of an ordinance, and as
the audience had been waiting a long
time to hear the governor speak, they
would not listen to him. This good nat
ured chaffing was taken in the same
spirit and was received with applause,
as was also the governor when he arose
to speak. Everyone seemed to take him
as either his older brother or son, just
returned from a long stay away from
home, and was glad to see him and glad
to bear him speak. He said, I am glad
to see you all and to meet you and grasp
you by the hand, and all could see it was
real and that he spoke what he meant,
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and his greeting was received with cheer
ing and hand clapping. He said in part
that the laboring man was the adjudi
cator of all the questions which came
up for solution, and that the safety of
the future was in the keeping of the
man who labored, either with his hands
or his brain and in fact all of them were
brain laborers, and it was the intellig
ence of the Nebraska laboring man
which marks him from those of many
other sections of the country. He said
he had been in many states recently and
that in none did he see any country
which equalled the commonwealth of
Nebraska and within this state he knew
of no other county where the soil was
richer or more productive or the rank of
intelligence higher or more marked in
the results achieved than in old Cass
county.
Labor well directed, he said, would
work wonders and it was the labor of
the ages that brought the world from
its primative ignorance and crude, way
of doing things to the height of the pres
ent day enlightened civilization. Labor
had built the cities, the railroads, de
veloped the farms and provided the ne
cessities, the comforts and the luxuries
which is within the reach of almost
everybody in the present day world.
When the product of our laboris destroy
ed, which we call capitol, wehave just
cause for concern, for that much of the
labor which mankind has done has been
lost.
Education, he s&id, was essential, for
many a man had made a fortune in
money or property and his children had
spent it almost before his remains had
become cold. The idea was for the
children to be so educated that they
would take up the work of their parents
where they had laid it down, both as the
accumulation of wealth in a laudible
manner, to development of character,
the development of society and the per
fection of good government. He said it
should be one of the escential principals
of patriotism that we should give our
public and personal assistance to the ob
servance of the laws of the land, especi
ally those which we had through the rep
resentatives whom we had sent to make
them, for they were our laws, made by
agents sent and instructed. When we
find we have made a mistake, repeal the
laws, but while they are being tried
they should receive the support of the
whole people and that, too, very heartily.
The speaker said that from his ac
quaintance with the present governor,
he was led to believe that the laws would
be enforced while they remained upon
the statute books, and that all the offic
ers whose duty it was to see to their be
ing enforced, would be held accountable
for their enforcement, by the governor's
office. In closing he again thanked them
for their patient attention to the speak
ers and assured them his hearty wishes
for their welfare and prosperity, saying
they had heard enough . speaking and
wanted to talk to each other and enjoy
themselves.
The Attractions.
The turning exhibition was the first of
amusements of the afternoon and oc
curred on Fifth street, just north of
Main, and was very interesting, dem
onstrating what one can do when train
ed and having the practice. In the
competition there were three teams
Omaha, South Omaha and Plattsmouth,
in which the local team won. Follow
ing this was the sack race on Third
street, just south of Main, and was a
very amusing affair, and was won by
Charlie Reynolds. Following the cries
of the spealer, the crowd hastened to
Main street, between Fourth and Fifth,
! where they witnessed the wheelborrow
! race, in which everybody and his
j brother were either in, or in the way.
j This was won by Henry Jess, living
south of town. The tug of war on
Sixth and Mam, in which the contest
was between the ice men and the shop
men, and in which the shopmen found it
too cold for them, as the icemen won by
more than a lap. As entertaining num
ber on the program was the ladies'
race, and they were young ladies, at
that, ranging from very young to some
that were older. It was ran on the
course in front of the Riley Hotel and
had a host of competitors, a line that
stretched almost entirely across the
street, and which the crowd, by their
eagerness to see, narrowed down to
about half the width at the end of the
Mil
course. The little Misses some fair
haired, some blue eyed, some dimpled
chins, others with rosy cheeks all love
ly", charming little ladies, with a' smile
on their faces and a look of determina
tion to win in their eyes. When the
wprd to go was given, they shot out
like an avalanche, and were away for
the goal all in a bunch, and a prettier
bunch of girls it would be hard to find
anywhere, as they fairly flew along the
course, the crowd of spectators at the
sides closed in oij them and they were
crowded into two rows, and then into
three deep, and with no show to de
termine who should be the winner.
Much discussion was had as to who
should have the prize, and two were
awarded the first one going to Miss
Hazel Plaeger, a sure sprinter, the
Be'cond to Miss Lindsey.
The boys race came next with the
course on South Sixth street between
Main and Pearl and the Boeck building
and the Uuion block. In this it ap
peared that there was even more than
in the young ladies' race. When the
word was given, the boys, like the boys
they were, shot out like a whirlwind and
swept down to Main street, and ended
in a bunch with the exception of two
leading spirits who seemed more eager
in capturing the prize. Then came the
egg race, which was a very particular
and difficult one to handle. This was
won by Chas. Reynolds who, also, won
the sack rack. Then followed the hose
cart race, in which the White hose team
won. The potato race was pulled off
in front of the court house on Main
street and was won by Earl Hal
strom. The next was the barrel race
in which it looked and sounded like the
very war demons had been turned loose
as the barrels extended across Main
street, and when they got to rolling,
they would have put a boiler
shop in full operation to shame, in the
unearthly did they made and with a bar
rel rolling on every foot of Main street,
and an eager earnest bit of humanity
behind in the shape of a busy rustling
boy trying to make the barrel go the
faster. The crowd then rushed to South
Fifth street where they . witnessed the
diving dog perform his wonderful feat,
diving from the top of the steps that
lead to the apartments of Wm. Slater
aiji wife in the Waterman block. The
little fellow made the leap very grace
fully (for a dog) and was caught in a
horse blanket borrowed from William
Schmidtman. Immediately after was
the Shetland pony race which was run
from Schmidtman's to Third street, and
was won by Master Soennichsen. At
this time a call for supper came and
everybody went after the grub.
After supper the Jap lantern parade
presented an imposing spectacle, and
was the sign for the beginning of the
fireworks which lasted for about two
hours and was a wonderful scenic dis
play. All left at a late hour, feeling
that they had in a full day's enjoyment,
and were surely satisfied that the day
had ended and everybody was well
pleased. Johnnie Hall is to be con
gratulated in that he almost alone
rustled, the very ' hard cash with which
to pay the expenses and the prizes, in
that he went after the proposition and
made it go. Had we had every business
man in the city working like he did, we
would have had an entertainment here
that would have exceeded the James
town exposition in the class and quality
of the amusement it would have
furnished. The five dollar, prize for the
best decorated window was won by A.
L. Asemissen & Sons, and was a very
unique representation of "Everybody
Works but Father." Among the others
which attracted attention was one at
the grocery store of Lorenz Bros.,
which was a close second; then followed
J. W. Crabill, and John Bauer, with a
number of others in close order; in fact
so close it would be difficult to discrim
inate between them.
Notes of the Day
The festivities continued away into the
night and then some
Governor Sheldon was the guest of
Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Richey at dinner on
Labor Day.
It was sure a big day, and we ought
to have more of them for the good of
Plattsmouth.
The man who sold the confetti should
be apprehended and be compelled to
sweep the streets.
Labor Day is one that will be ob
served annually in Plattsmouth here
after. It surely brings people to town.
The business houses generally were
decorated with bunting and flags, but
the show windows were neglected by
many.
Many people were here from the west
side of the county, and said they never
saw such a large gathering in Cass
county.
The crowd was simply enormous.
And peace reigned supreme. nearly the
entire time, and then was only married
by one or two fights.
The ball game in the afternoon drew
a large crowd and resulted in another
victory for the Red Sox.
It was a success of course .it was.
"The largest crowd that has been in
Plattsmouth for many years," was the
remark heard on all sides.
Clell Morgan and Ed. Tutt were "as
busy as bees" in superindending the dif
ferent races, and the good work they did
was very muchly appreciated.
Work was virtually suspended at the
Burlington shops. A few remained at
the different departments to look after
matters that necessitated direct atten
tion. We need a few more days like the
one just passed to stir up some of our
business men from their sleepy "don't
care-a-damitiveness" whether business
comes this way or not.
Considering the immense crowd in
town on the occasion every citizen re
joices at the commendable termination
of the festivities. The police had little
trouble in keeping order.
The crowd turned out to see the
parade and fireworks at night. The
streets seemed to be as crowded as they
were in the afternoon. All seemed to
enjoy the evening's display.
We need more activity among the
business men in general to carry out
such celebrations to a more successful
termination. Why net make up your
mind to do so in the future?
The show windows of Asemissen &
Sons deserves mor than a passing
notice. While they were unique, they
were attractive and caused many favor
able remarks for the energy displayed.
"The laborer is worthy of his hire,"
and should have a day of his own oc
casionally. He had one this year which
he will long remembered. It was one
of the biggest days in the history of the
old town.
Most of the business houses were
closed in the afternoon, but a few kept
open to grab the few nickels that would
have gone to those houses that were
closed to give their help an opportunity
to celebrate.
Governor Sheldon was free from the
botheration of whipper-snapper poli
ticians," when they sought him at the
Hotel Riley. He no doubt felt a relief
in his retreat at the hospitable home of
Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Richey.
There were five business houses rep
resented in the parade H. M. Soen
nichsen, John Hall, L. B. Egenberger,
John Hatt & Son, all grocers, and Ger
ing & Co., druggists. They deserve
great credit for their enterprise.
The little boy was very much in evi
dence in the parade at night and all car
rihd Japanese lanterns. Everyone in
the parade was given a check good for
a soda at Mayor Gering's store. This
was generons on the part of our good
natured mayor.
lhe parade was not a howling suc
cess" by any means, but those who took
part in it deserve credit and a great
deal of it for their enterprise. It demon
strated to a dead moral certainity that
they had much more grit than many of
the older business men.
The credit is solely due Mayor Gering
and John Hatt, jr. , for the large crowd
in town. They put forth evary effort
to make the celebration a success
While the business men contributed
very liberally, the most of them done
but little else in the matter.
Governor Sheldon bore one of his good
natured smiles on his countenance as
the procession passed up Main street.
He was in his own county, where the
people 11 know him and are proud of
him. Cass county people always loved
George Sheldon from boyhood up.
Hugh L. Myers, of Omaha, delivered
a most eloquent address, and one which
was greeted with considerable applause.
He is a Big Chief? among the Red Men
of Nebraska, and not only is that order
proud of him, but all who listened to his
eloquent speech felt a pride in making
his acquaintances.
Those who stood on the court house
lawn to hear the addresses certainly
see, the necessity for the keeping up of
a park for such occasions. Had the
morning been excessively hot neither the
speakers nor the audience could have
stood the ordeal. "Where's your park?"
asked one of the speakers. The reply
was, "We have one, but it is not in
shape for holding such celebrations."
Shame!
The boys of the Burlington paint shop
department caused much comment, and
people gave them much credit for their
fine appearance in the parade. There
were at least thirty in a body, all dress
ed in white, and they made a fine show
ing. If other organizations had done
half as well as the Burlington boys did,
the parade would have been more credit
able. Dan Smith, foreman, and Ray
Travis, as color bearer, headed the
painters. Long live the boys of the
Burlington paint shop.
HIS SEVENTIETH
AHfHVEnSARY
Children and Grandchildren
Assist Uncle Geo. Kroeh
ler in Celebrating
Little dreaming of the events that
were in store for the day, Uncle
George Kroehler, after he had arisen
on last Sunday morning went about his
chores, thinking that the seventy years
which had been his lot to see, on that
day, had dealt leniently with him, as
he was in the possession of his wanted
health, to the extent that he pursued
his daily avocation at the Burlington
shops not losing a day. The children
and grandchildren, dropped in one by
one and two by two, until there was a
pretty well filled house. An ellegant
comfortable easy rocking chair was
wheeled out from some place where it
had been in waiting, and grandpa
Kroehler was invited to takn a scat in
it. After doing so he was reminded
that just seventy years before he had
been born, and the chair and gathering
together on the occasion was the show
ing of love and honor which his chil
dren had for him.
An adjournment was then m;ide t
the dining room, where a surnptuou
dinner was awaiting theirconsideration.
For about an hour they discussed the
subject before them, when they pro
ceeded to the sitting room and shady
lawn where they spent the afternoon
pleasantly, discussing those themes
dear to his heart. Those present were
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kroehler and
children, Mr. and Mrs. I). B. Ebersole
and children, MiFe3 Lizzie trnd Clara and
Lewis Kroehler, of this city, John
Kroehler, of Davenport, Iowa, Mr. and
Mrs. George Krohler, and Mr. and Mrs.
Harry Neuman, of Omaha.
Quite a Compliment to Billy
The Union Ledger pays our young
friend, Will Ramsey, the following
graceful compliment in reference to his
address delivered at the Old Settlers'
reunion;
"Attorney Will C. Ramsey of Platts
mouth followed with a splendid address
that was highly pleasing and agreeably
surprised even those who knew of the
the talent of our eloquent young friend.
"Mr. Ramsey's address was princi
pally along the lines of pioneer history
of eastern Nebraska and showed that
he, although a young man, wa3 well ac
quainted with early events and had the
knack of presenting his ideas in a clear
and pleasing way.
"From the remarks we have heard,
everybody was well pleased with the
speech of our young friend. He is a
bright young lawyer and will no doubt
win in his profession."
Death of Charles E. Woman
After a long time of very severe suf
fering Chas. E. Vroman passed away
Sunday evening at about eleven o'clock.
Charley has been sick for a long time
and the end, when it came, was but an
end of the suffering which was the
continual companion of his last days.
Some time since Mr. Vroman recieved
some poison while working in the shops,
from which he never' recovered. At
times he thought he would be able to
return to work again, only to be
followed by conditions which were
worse. From time to time he grew
weaker and less able to get around and
care for himself. He had a family of
six children and a wife, depending up
on his efforts to make a living. During
the time which has marked his last
sickness, he has recieved from the Bur
lington Relief Department, a dollar a.
day for living. This his frugal and
careful wife has endeavored to make
cover the expenses.
Charley carried a policy of insurance
in the Royal Hilanders, and which will
furnish $1,000 to the family, besides
$600- from the Burlington relief.
The funeral will occur this afternoon,
interment will be made at Oakllill cem
etery. By his death he leaves of his
immediate family, his wife and six
children, namely, Gladys, Vere, Ellery,
Lester, Hazel and Mable. Chas. E.
Vroman was born July 2, 1857, at Paw
Paw, 111., being fifty years old last
month, and came to this place in 1890,
marrying Miss Lillian Schermerhorn in
1891. His aged father and mother live
at Harmon, 111., where his mother lies
very sick with the inflammatory rheuma
tism, at the age of 76 years, while her
husband is one year older. It is hard
ly expected that all the relatives in the
east will be here on account of the sick
ness of his mother.
Got Five and Costs
On a complaint filed by John Harkins,
a warrant was issued charging Harvey
Herger with participating in the fight
of Monday afternoon. When notified,
he came in and plead guilty, received a
fine of five dollars and costs which he
paid and was given his liberty.
"1
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