Sullivan, Indiana Celebration at Coffman Park
Weather: Idea
Attendance: 5,000
The weather was rainy all-around Sullivan but was bone dry in Sullivan. This affected the attendance from other outlying cities.
Cities of Vincennes, Princeton, Linton, and all the towns in Sullivan County will participate in the Celebration.
Special trains were scheduled pulling up to 10 coaches, ran from different surrendering cities going to Sullivan, Indiana and back was 50 cents to ride that train.
The Ft. Branch band with over 200 Union men and supporters left at 7:30 am for Sullivan, Indiana. Over 700 Union members left Vincennes, Indiana on Labor Day to meet in Sullivan, Indiana.
The Ft. Branch band was sent by the Gibson County Fair Association to advertise their fair. The Parade kicked off at 10:30 am.
Most all of the Union had a float to go with their marchers. There were also unusual business floats in the Parade; W.E. Woods float had a live monkey in a cage, which was very entertaining. The Mankedick & Sons cement works had a float that had made cement blocks during the Parade.
One of the newspapers reported the Labor crowd acted exceptionally well with no signs of drunkenness or rowdyism.
Labor Day Committee:
Sam Self of Painters Union is President
Frank Hiatt of Painters Union is Vice President
George Ferree of Iron Workers is Treasurer
Canton Thompson was named the Parade Grand Marshall.
Indiana Governor, T. Frank Hanly issues a Proclamation declaring September 3rd, 1906 as a Labor Day holiday in Indiana.
Sullivan Mayor J. D. Wilson did the welcome speech to the participants and introduced the other speakers.
Speakers for the Celebration are: William H. Hays, Fred E. Byas , and Wellington O’Conner, District President of UMWA.
Admission was FREE to the Fairgrounds along with FREE ice water.
After the Parade and in between speeches there were contests:
Wheelbarrow race: the prize was a suit of overalls donated by George Schaller—winner was ED McCoy.
Tug of War; the prize was 2 boxes of cigars donated by Gus Vieke & Joe Antoine—winners were the Iron Workers Union.
100-yard Sprint; prize was a pair of new shoes donated by Chip Merchant—winner was Ed McCoy.
Fat Man’s race; prize was a hat donated by S & L Lyons Company—winner was A.L. Coddie.
3 legged mans race; prize was 100 cigars donated by John N/ Brey Company—winner was Tom Mullner & Joe Stage.
Sack race; prize was a box of cigars donated by C. W. Shanks –winner was Onie Charles.
$10 paid in gold was awarded to the Union with the best appearance in the Parade. $5 was paid in gold to the next best in Parade appearance.
George E. Gardner donated his 2 black cabs for the speakers to ride on in the Parade.
Start at Central Schoolhouse then South on Main Street to Washington Street then West on Washington to Court Street to Jackson then East on Jackson to Main Street, then North on Main Street to Washington Street and on to the McCammon Hotel and South to Jackson Street and East to the Coffman Park.
Grand Marshall — Canton Thompson
Sullivan Fire Department
President — Sam Self
Vice President — Frank Hall
Treasurer — George Ferree
Recording Secretary —
William H. Hays
Fred F. Bays
Division A
Vincennes Delegation
Iron Moulders #400
Carpenters & Joiners #812
Painters # 373
Plasterers # 441
Brewery Workers # 52
Machinists # 985
Princeton Delegation
Princeton Band
Painters Union
Carpenters & Joiners Union #658
Plasterers Union #114
Carpenters & Joiners Union # 706
Brick Masons Union #52
BMIU # 24
Robinson delegation
Hymera delegation
Foster’s Concert Band of Palestine, IL.
Mankedick & Sons Cement Works
J.P. Statton & Son Harness Makers
W. E. Wood Company
Herman Schmidt Plumbing
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Other Celebrations were held in Bicknell, Washington, and Evansville, Indiana. They all had a UMWA presence as well as an American Federal of Labor involvement.
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1906 Washington, Indiana Celebration
at Oak Grove Park
Speeches were given by Honorable Ezra Mattingly and the Honorable J. H. Spencer during the day. Music was provided throughout the day.
10:00 am Sack race—Winners were 1st place Ed Nimnicht—2nd place was Chris Nimnicht. Prizes were a new pair of shoes and a pocket knife.
11:00 am Speeches
1:30 pm Beaty Pageant
2:00 pm Sawing Contest—Winners were 1st Place, Mimmie Sissel –2nd place was Lille Brunner. Prizes were an umbrella and a powder bowl.
3:00 pm Speeches
4:00 pm Nailing Contest—Winners were 1st Place, Mrs. Henry Fullerton—2nd Place Mrs. William Day. Prizes were a jardinere and a salad dish.
5:30 pm Pie Eating Contest—Winners were 1st Place, George McMahon—2nd Place was Noble Swing. Prizes were a new pair of shows and a pocket knife.
6:00 pm Social hour
6: 30 pm Shoe Lace Tieing Contest—Winners were 1st Place, Earl Phillips—2nd Place was Jerald Hudson. Prizes were a new pair of shoes and a pocket knife.
7:30 pm Baby Beautiful Contest—Winners was Mrs. Edward Herrin. Prizes were anew baby couch and a child’s table.
