1908 Labor Day History
Washington, Indiana Celebration at Commercial Club Weather: Pretty & bright.
Attendance:
Special trains were scheduled from other cities to Washington, Indiana. The Commercial Club of Washington was where the Celebration was held instead of the fairgrounds.
Labor Day Officers:
President, Charles Herr, Machinist Union Vice President, Peter Schuck, Barbers Union Treasurer, C. F. Ageton, Recording Secretary, Charles Daut, Barbers Union
James O’Brian, of Allen Union was named the Parade Grand Marshall. He had two assistants; John Yarbrough & Matthew McBride.
The Daviess County F. E. and C. U. of A. will assess a 10-cent fee per member to help with costs of the Celebration
Daviess County F. E. and C. U. of A of Daviess County Officers: C. F. Ageton , President Thomas Singleton, Secretary/Treasurer Matthew McGehee, Executive Board member Stanton Barbary, Executive Board member L. S. Horrall, Business Agent John Wise, Parade Marshall for Central Union
The carnival rides were well in demand as especially the merry-go round. A banner was put across the Main Street in Washington welcoming the Celebration.
The Arrangement Committee: Pete Shuck R. W. Braun John Burris Charles Stewart Dennis McGee Jesse Burris — Secretary Charles Dove – Financial Secretary
The Parade started at 10 am, over Parade awards were handed out. The oldest banner in the Parade was from UMWA, South Washington Mine, it was organized in 1887.
1908 Parade Awards:
1st Place, Lett Farmer’s Union # 22. 2nd Place Vollmers’s Company. 3rd Place, Home Telephone Company.
The Barber’s Union looked nice in their all-white jackets.
Washington Mayor, Robert Russell did the welcome speech to the participants and gave a history of organized labor in the City of Washington and Davies County. He also introduced the other speakers.
Speakers for the Celebration were: Grant Faith, John Weinmaster of the Farmers Union and John H. Spencer. Grant Faith talked on the local history of organized labor in Daviess County. Mr. Weinmaster was the state organizer for the Farmers Union. Mr. Spencer, one of Indiana’s best speakers gave an extemporary speech on Labor, the Bible and Farmers.
The Baby Contest were held in between speeches: A. Prettiest baby – Ellis Harris –1st Place was a silver cup. B. Heaviest baby – Corrine Squire—1st Place was golden ring. C. Lightest baby – Rusty Crane – 1st Place was a golden ring.
After the Baby Contests there were bucking broncos ridden by the Rough Riders.
The Farmer’s Band and the Citizen’s band gave two concerts during the day. The Knights of Pythia’s Band were in the Parade
Lemonade & peanuts were a big seller for the Celebration’s stand.
There wasn’t a Balloon Ascension this year.
Admission was FREE to the Fairgrounds along with FREE ice water. Fire Works will be the last event on the grounds and it will remain open untip 11 pm. But there is a Ball at People’s Hall that will end the Celebration.
Parade Route; The Parade started lining up on Troy Road at 8:30 am and then onto the Court House at 9:00 am. At 10 am the Parade started at Walnut Street onto Seventh Street, down Seventh Street to Main Street, from Main Street to Meridan Street to the Commercial Club.
Parade line up: Color Guard Chief Parade Marshal – James O’Brian Parade Marshall’s aide, John Yarbrough Parade Marshall’s aide, Matthew McBride Washington Mayor, Robert Russell Washington City Council Washington Fire Department Washington Police Department Labor Association Officers: President, Charles Herr — Machinists Union Vice President, Peter Schuck – Barbers Union Recording Secretary – Charles Daut – Barbers Union Treasurer , C. F. Ageton Financial Secretary – Peter Reister – Teamster Union Speaker Carriages: John H. Spencer Grant Faith — John Weinmaster – Farmer’s Union Division A Parade Marshall aide—John Yarbrough Cumback band Farmers Unions Citizens band Merchants Floats: Vollmers Company Carnahan & Company Hatfield & Palmers Home Telephone Company Bernies Meat Company Division B Parade — Matthew McBride Framers band Teamsters Union # 1278 Teamsters Owners Union Printers Union Machinist Union Carpenters & Joiners Union Brick Masons Union Division C Parade Marshall aide — John Wise Knights of Pythias band Boilermakers & Helpers Union UMWA Union Mines Painters Union Electrical Workers Union Blacksmith Worker & Helpers Union Rough Riders Paperhangers & Decorators Union Stationary Engineers Union
———————————————————————————————— Other Celebrations were held in Mt. Carmel, Il. And Evansville, Indiana. They all had a UMWA presence as well as an American Federal of Labor involvement.
Mt. Carmel, Illinois
Weather —
Attendance —
The train system could not be persuaded to run special trains to Mt. Carmel for the Celebration. The event was held at City Park. Goddess of Liberty, Josephine Driebleis was crowned representing the Central Labor Council. She was chosen over 8 other contestants for the honor.
There were 75 floats in the Parade along with all the Labor Unions.
This was the largest Labor Day Parade yet, Mt. Carmel was so proud to have hosted this event.
There were speeches in City Park in the afternoon.
James Mauckles of the Blacksmith & Helper’s Union spoke first, followed by F. L. Ronemus of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen’s Union. There was a short break and then J.H. Keeman of the Machinists Union spoke next and finally Congressman M. D. Foster of Olney, Illinois rounded up a great afternoon of speakers.
1908 Parade Lineup
Color Guard
Mt. Carmel Mayor, Woodcock
Mt. Carmel City Council
Mt. Carmel Police
Mt. Carmel Fire Department
Big Four Band
Labor Day Association Officers;
President —
Vice President —
Treasurer —
Recording Secretary —
Goddess of Liberty — Josephine Driebleis
Speakers Carriages;
James Mauckles
F. L. Ronemus
J. H. Keeman
Congressman M. D. Foster
75 floats
Labor Unions
Schedule of Events
Monday September 8, 1908
10:00 AM — Parade City Park
1:300 PM — Welcome Mayor of Mt. Carmel, Ilinios
2:30 PM — Speakers — James Mauckles, F. L. Ronemus, J. H. Keeman and Congressman M. D. Foster
1908 Parade Route
1908 Members
Blacksmiths and Helpers Union
Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Union
Machinists Union
Central Labor Council
1908 Supporters
