German Day Celebration, 1891

KRAUSE, LUDWIG, ERLER, SIMON, STENDIKE, BECKER, BEITER, VOLLMER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 12/26/2005 at 16:34:51

I translated the following article from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published on 18 September 1891. Any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

At its last meeting, the Germania-Verein [German Club] appointed the various committees to prepare for a worthy celebration of German Day. The Arrangements Committee, consisting of Messrs. F. W. Krause, Chas. Ludwig, Aug. Erler, Moses Simon, Jos. Stendike, and A. Becker, met on Sunday evening and adopted several resolutions to ensure that the celebration proceeds in the most splendid manner. It was decided to issue an appeal to all the Germans in the county and surrounding counties, and especially to all the German organizations, so that all Germans may take part in this celebration. All of the German clubs will assemble with their music bands and banners with the rest of the Germans at 10:30 a.m. at the Germania Halle, where the marching order will be issued by the Marshall of the Day, Mr. Beiter. Here will begin the formation of the parade that will march through the streets of the town, which are expected to be richly decked out with flags. After the parade, with drums beating and trumpets sounding, the marchers will proceed to Germania Park, where the mayor of Carroll, Mr. Beach, will give a welcoming speech and briefly explain the meaning of the day. A good dinner [lunch] will then be served in the upper hall, during which our music section will give a splendid concert. We also note that our band has been practicing a long time for this day, in order to play musical marches etc. in the style of the old Fatherland. At exactly 1:30, the estimable Mr. Henry Vollmer of Davenport will give the formal address. After the speech, the afternoon concert will commence, and there will public entertainment, such as target shooting, clay pigeon shooting, Vogelschießen [shooting at a wooden bird silhouette], sack races, pole climbing, etc. Naturally, good cash prizes will be awarded at the shooting competitions for the first-, second-, and third-place shooters. We wish to especially mention the Vogelschießen, which in Germany is very popular and customary at all shooting festivals and similar events, and which always provides so much entertainment. The celebration will end with a large dance.