Gigantic Victory Parade Staged in City Yesterday Parade Was Greatest Spectacle of Its Kind Ever Witnessed In The Mountain City - Participated In By Representatives of Practically Every Family In The Municipality and Vicinity - 25,000 People Were In Line Altoona's gigantic victory pageant, arranged in a few hours, and moving promptly at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, was the greatest spectacle of its kind ever witnessed in the Mountain city. Under a clear November sky, with a chill wind blowing, but with a beautiful sun beaming from the heavens, the victory of America's manhood over the howling beasts of Wilhelm Hohenzollern, was celebrated by every man, woman and child in Altoona and vicinity. Fully 25,000 persons participated in the pageant that took one hour and five minutes to pass a given point, while almost twice that number stood on the sidewalks and cheered as the marchers trod their way through the city, singing and shouting for joy at the victory of the American and allied soldiers. FLAGS IN EVIDENCE Thousands upon thousands of flags were carried in the line of march, seventy per cent of those participating carrying an emblem of America or her allies. The beautiful Stars and Stripes predominated, and the stiff breeze that was sweeping the avenue, almost continually during the entire day floated these emblems over the heads of the marchers, presenting one of the most magnificent sights ever witnessed in this city. Flags of America's allies, many carried by men of foreign birth, took their place alongside "Old Glory" and waved conspicuously in the sunlit avenue. Visitors poured into the city in the early hours from the surrounding communities, all ready to aid in celebrating the signing of the armistice, and the bringing of victory to the allied arms. They came with all manner of noise making instruments, and throughout the entire day, they remained in the city and aided in celebrating the shattering of the dream of the Berlin royal family. PLANS FORMULATED At 10 o'clock yesterday morning a meeting was held in the office of Mayor Charles E. Rhodes and plans laid for the parade. The mayor was named chief marshal and Charles Weller was appointed chief of staff. A dozen or more aides were appointed then the work began in earnest. Bands were called out, and members of lodges, and labor unions were sent for to prepare to form for the pageant and the work went fast. The real work, however, came when the chief marshal and his chief of staff and aides began the formation of the parade. There was no organized method, time being too short, and it was necessary to put the different bodies where they best fitted, without regard to position in the line of march or division. STARTED AT 3 O'CLOCK However, the pageant moved at 3 o'clock and traversed the usual parade route of the city, and when the rear end was leaving the cricket field, where the affair started, Chief Marshal Rhodes was on its heels. Heading the pageant was Police Sergeant Frank MacPherson and a squad of policemen, and immediately afterwards came enlisted soldiers and sailors, home on furloughs. Several of them carried magnificent flags, and they were followed by boys bearing banners boosting the United War Work campaign. The Middle Division band was the first musical organization in line, it leading the mothers and wives of the boys in service. Every one carried a service flag and they were loudly applauded during every foot of the line of march. These mothers who gave all they held dear in the world - their sons, their own flesh and blood - marched proudly by, with a smile on their lips and waving a service flag that will be an heirloom in the family for generations to come. MOTHERS WERE PROUD These mothers, who made the sacrifice, almost as great as the boy who made the sacrifice, were proud of the fact that they sent their boy to camp, and then to France, with the smile that never faded, while there was a lump in their throat and an ache in their heart. But now, the lump in the throat no longer there, and the heart no longer aching, these women received cheer after cheer and the shouts that greeted them were almost deafening. Then there were mothers whose service flag contained a star that resembled the magnificent sunset, showing that their sons had paid the greatest price and that their blood had been spilled on French soil, by murders sent out by the Kaiser, now a fugitive from justice. Several automobiles followed carrying mothers who were unable to walk the distance and they too were loudly cheered. G.A.R. MEN IN LINE Then came a truck load of veterans of the Rebellion, the men who defended the Union when the south seceded, and they were all smiles. They shouted and cheered and the crowds on the sidewalk answered back in great volume. Several auxiliaries of the American Red Cross came next, bearing flags, while two of the women carried a stretcher on which much money was being tossed. Nickels, dimes, quarters, halves and even dollars, while some dropped $5 notes on the white sheet over the stretcher. Additional auxiliaries followed, all carrying flags and dressed in the regalia of Red Cross nurses. Automobiles, carrying ladies of the canteen service, next came in line, and flags waved from the machines as they passed through a stiff easterly breeze. GIRL SCOUTS MARCHED The Girl Scouts, in full uniform, bearing the flags of the allies, followed, and then came the members of the Y.Y.C.A. [sic], carrying a beautiful banner, and carrying several flags. Much money was being tossed into these flags. Banners boosting the War Work fund were carried by many of the marchers. The Boy Scouts, headed by their Scoutmaster and six buglers came next, and then the Eighth Ward War Fund committee, bearing a flag into which much money was being tossed. Colonel J. L. Minick and the various companies of the Home Defense Police followed, and they made a very appealing sight. Each company marched by itself, and the headquarters company was headed by a large number of flags. The black and white arm bands made a very neat appearance, adding to the attractiveness of this branch. FACULTY LEADS PUPILS The High school faculty headed the students from that school and the Maroon and White Jazz band furnished real music. A magnificent service flag of the High school, bearing a number of golden stars for boys who fell in action was carried by many girls, and a great amount of money was thrown in this. The students of the four grades of the High school, almost every one carrying flags, presented a most picturesque sight. Then came the Central Grammar school faculty and the students, and the teachers of the various grade schools and the pupils, down to the beginners. Almost every one carried flags, and they sang and cheered throughout the line of march. The East End delegation followed, headed by the band from that place. Two large flags and two pennants, carried at the head of this body, presented a very imposing sight. The East End school children followed. JUNIATA CAME NEXT Then came the students and teachers of the Juniata schools, each class bearing a neat banner. The teachers wore white sashes bearing the words, "Peace, Liberty and Justice," which attracted much attention. There was considerable money in the various flags carried by pupils from the schools. The Altoona Ministerial association was next in line and had an excellent turnout, and it was followed by the Penn Central Patriotic association, and employes of that company. A magnificent service flag was carried by girls from that industry, representing a large number of employes now in the service of Uncle Sam. Clerks from the five and ten cent stores came next, and all carried small flags, presenting a mighty fine appearance. LIBERTY BAND PLAYED Hollidaysburg's Liberty band, playing stirring music, led the various orders of the P.O.S. of A., including the drill team, and there was a large number of the members of this organization in line. Their red, white and blue sashes presented a fine appearance. The large service flag of the order, containing one gold star, held a prominent place at the head of this organization. The Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, with their swords, and wearing plumed hats, presented a beautiful appearance. This was followed by the various lodges of the K. of P., all carrying small flags. Postmaster E. F. Giles led the postal clerks and all employes of the postoffice department, there being many girls in line. All carried flags, while the mailmen tooted their whistles continuously through the line of march, added a new feature to the pageant. R.R. GIRLS CAME NEXT Then came the Pennsylvania Railroad girl employes and there were many. They marched eight abreast, and all carried magnificent flags, while many of them wore small service flags, indicating that a sweetheart was defending them against the brutality of the Hun, before the latter was forced to give up the majority of his earthly possessions. Altoona Aeria of Eagles, No. 286, bearing a magnificent service flag, followed. The members carried the usual red, white and blue umbrellas and as usual they presented a most pleasing sight. Some of them carried flags and these, with the rows of beautiful umbrellas, attracted the eye of the spectator before these men were within many blocks. The Car Shop band headed the Eagles and it was followed by a number of girls wearing green blouses and white skirts, presenting a very pleasing sight. WON MUCH APPLAUSE The Hollidaysburg lodge of carmen, not so many in number, but present with real patriotism, was next in line, followed by many members of the Carmen's union. These men, who aided in winning the war by their steady work received great applause throughout the entire line of march and they made an excellent showing. Then came the Machine Shop band, and the lodge of the Elks, many of them carrying flags, and all with a beautiful silk flag with exceedingly deep blue field for the stars and deep red stripes, placed over the heart, made a magnificent appearance. Only a part of these beautiful flags were visible, adding to the beauty of that body in the procession. The fine service flag of the order, the pride of every member, was carried at the rear. Next came the members of the Pennsylvania Railroad Women's Division for War Relief and there was a great number in line. These women, who have worked hard since the beginning of the war, made a most pleasing appearance. Male shop clerks, and there were many of them, followed. Practically every man was carrying a beautiful little American flag. STORE FORCES TURN OUT Employes of the Klein Company, Kline Bros., William F. Gable and Company, and Brett's made a very neat showing. All carried flags and they turned out in force, presenting a clever sight. Then came the craftsmen - machinists, boiler workers, sheet metal workers, electrical workers - the men who helped keep the railroads going, in order to supply the boys in the camps and at the front. There were a great number in each one of these organizations. Many carried flags, while the service flags they displayed were marvelous, showing that great numbers of their employes had entered the government service. [They] received great applause throughout the entire line of march. UNIQUE FEATURE Then came one of the most unique features that was ever a part of an Altoona parade, miners of the Blair-Cambria company mine at Dougherty. They appeared in their working clothes, with lamps on their caps and these men, who turned out coal to aid the fighting boys received cheer after cheer throughout the entire line of march. They represented a dozen different nationalities, but were all of the same heart, all for Uncle Sam and the downfall of autocracy. Three of these men played accordions, and this music was melodious from beginning to end, and attracted no end of attention. It was one of the most marvelous stunts that were staged in the Mountain city during a celebration, and there was not a single point along the line that these men were not loudly applauded. They had an old gray mule, on which they had a dummy representing the Kaiser and this added much to the make up of these men. AUTOS WERE DECORATED Then came the automobiles, many beautifully decorated and carrying a large number of persons. War Work banners floated from many of these machines, appealing to the public to lend a hand. Then came the police patrol of old, and the Liberty bell on an automobile. Many automobiles were in the windup of the pageant and every one was neatly decorated. The Altoona fire department, headed by Chief T. W. Alleman followed, and then came a motor truck of the Juniata department. An automobile bearing the famous stand of "flags of the allies," owned by Walter S. Greevy came next, and it attracted no end of attention throughout. Nine boys riding horseback brought up the rear of the most magnificent pageant that Altoona has ever witnessed. Altoona Times, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday Morning, November 12, 1918 Judy Banja Blair County PA USGenWeb Archives http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/blair/