MUSEUM MATTERS

Special to the Citizen It was the biggest and most spectacular parade that Dublin had ever seen. It had bands, floats and groups displaying their patriotic best. The US Government preparing for World War I had asked that towns to have meetings and other activities to spur patriotic feelings. The government also was asking for our greatest food crops to be readied. Our country was entering a difficult time. Just days before, Congress had declared war on Germany and was making plans on how to precede. European countries had been fighting for some time as World War I was playing out. Now the United States was entering the war. The draft, that time called the conscription, was coming soon and local boys would be called on to go to military camp before sending them overseas.

Dr. Goodner, the mayor of Dublin, along with Rev. Frank Donaldson had visited Alexander, Clairette, Carlton, Harbin, Greens Creek, Purves and Stephenville and asked citizens and school students if they would come join us in the parade and other activities. (Dublin Progress April 20, 1917)

The Honorable Clarence Ousley had met with government officials in St. Louis. He was coming to Dublin to tell us what the government wanted us to do. As many as 10,000 were invited to see the parade and participate in the patriotic ceremonies. Seven hundred Dublin school students were anticipated to be in the parade, each child carrying an emblem of liberty. It happened on April 21, 1917, San Jacinto day for that year.

When the parade took place, it went down Patrick Street and ended at the park next to the Frisco (Santa Fe) train station. A park was created there just after the new station was completed in 1909. A flag was raised and Mr. Ousley spoke to around 5000 people gathered there.

The Hico Band led the parade followed by floats and the Dublin city band. Later, ladies in the Women’s Thursday Club marched along with young women in Red Cross attire. It was an impressive day in Dublin with all the flags and decorations. The streets were lined with buggies, cars and people.