THE WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

June 7, 1895

 

DANES’ DAY.

 

The Waupaca Danes’ Home Society and Others Celebrate.

 

            The 5^th of June is a great day for our Danish citizens, and especially the Danes’ Home Society.  The society in Waupaca has done itself proud the past year by erecting a magnificent building and has been looking forward to the festal day with great pleasure.  The day came bright and pleasant, but through some misunderstanding on the part of the neighboring lodges in regard to whether they would have free entertainment, free drinks, et., during their stay here, they made up their minds not to come at all.  But when the time came for the parade it was evident the Waupaca Danish society was in it. There was a fine procession headed by the Waupaca band, mounted police and carriages containing the mayor, speakers and others.  Then followed the Waupaca Danes’ Home society, over one hundred strong.  The men looked fine in their regalias.  Matt Jensen and Martin Peterson acted as marshals on horseback and each wore a military uniform of light gray.  There were also about twenty visiting members from other societies who came and joined in the procession with their Waupaca brothers.

            The procession marched from the Danes’ Home hall under the grand arch to Shadow Lake grove, where the address of welcome was made by Mayor Nelson.  The mayor’s welcome remarks had the true ring to them.  He was followed by H. P. Nelson of Racine, grand president of the United Danish societies, in the Danish language.  He was followed by his son, P. B Nelson, the vice counsel of the order, who gave a good talk in English.  J. P. Jesperson of Neenah, prominent in the work of the fraternity, addressed the assembly in English.  The band interspersed fine music between the speeches and the exercises were very interesting.  The speeches while revering the time that independence was declared in Denmark, breathed a spirit of loyalty and love for America and the Stars and Stripes.

            The celebration of the day closed with a grand dance at their new building, in which fully three hundred participated, and there were as many spectators in the gallery.

            Many American and Danish flags were floating in the breeze during the day, and a number of houses displayed quite elaborate decorations of bunting, flags and evergreens.  The celebration was a success, and even though outside lodges staid away the home society has netted a neat little sum to help them out.