World War I Memorial & Welcome Home Celebration, Montour County

 

The World War  Memorial, Danville Pa

Originally placed beside the courthouse in  4 day Welcome Home Ceremony in 1919

It was moved to Memorial Park in 1949

August 31 - September 3rd, 1919

"When the parade was over and the discharged service men disbanded and took up their positions near the Memorial, still concealed beneath the rich folds of two great flags ; when the other units of the great parade swung out of the line of march and also crowded in around the speakers stand ; when still at the rear of these the mighty concourse of spectators came crowding onward, wave after wave, the scene became one that beggared description.

 The most conservative estimate placed the number of people on the spot at eighteen thousand." - The Danville Morning News September 4th 1919

The 4 day celebration included special church services, a mardi gras, a carnival, numerous parades, and the dedication of the War Monument at the Borough Building.

Over 400 soldiers were in the parade on September 3rd.  Also were five army nurses: Mrs Minnie Wintersteen, Miss Boone Eckman, Miss Evlyn Miller, Miss Joyce Andrews & Miss Elsie Rothermal. One hundred members of the red cross were in line, all white dresses and red cross headwear.  Fourteen automobiles filled with civil war veterans followed the Catawissa band.

Piano recital celebrating the dedication of the Would War I memorial in front of the Courthouse. September 3, 1919.  [Note, a "fisheye" lens was used here, to get everyone in the shot.  This process slightly distorts the shape of the courthouse in the background]

One of the many interesting stories from the 4 day welcome home event involves the key to the city being delivered  to the Governor by airplane, at the home of Frank. E. Delong of Washingtonville.

"Montour county wrote an epoch into the history of the United States yesterday when, amid elaborate ceremonies, the welcome key to the city of Danville was curried to the Governor of the State at Washingtonville by airplane. Governor Sproul acknowledged the compliment of the gift on the landing field on the estate of Colonel Frank E. DeLong, and in accepting the token he stated that it was the first time the key of welcome had ever been dispatched to the recipient by air. Earle Ovington, manager of the Curtiss company's flying station at Atlantic City, who is one of the pioneer airmen of America, upheld the governor's statement. 

The occasion of the reception to Governor Sproul and his party at Colonel Delong's Estate, Blue Spring farm, yesterday at noon was one of the most auspicious of the Welcome Home celebration, and reflects the lofty patriotism and disinterested generosity that always marks the occasions in which Col. DeLong has a part.  Present were the members of the executive committee of the celebration and a few invited guests.

 The party from Danville, arrived at the DeLong home about noon, and were presented to the Governor, Auditor General Charles Snyder, Public Service Commissioner Samuel M. Clement, Jr., and the Governor's secretary, Harry S. McDevitt. Immediately following the introductions a procession was formed which moved to the field that had been selected as a landing place for the airplane. The parade was led by Major J. Beaver Gearhart, as the highest commissioned officer present, carrying an American flag, and by Governor Sproul. 

At the landing held a large concourse of people had gathered to witness the landing of the airplane.  At a few minutes after 12 the plane was sighted. A graceful landing was made, and the key to the city of Danville was handed to Burgess George B. Jacobs, who presented it to the Governor. Burgess Jacobs, in a few well chosen words, said that the key was significant of the appreciation of the people of Montour county that the Governor of the State should grace the occasion of our Welcome Home celebration with his presence. Governor Sproul, said, in reply, that it was the first time that the key to a city had been carried' to him by airplane. He said that he would preserve it always as a souvenir of the extraordinary happiness of the occasion.

 Following the landing of the plane and the presentation of the key the guests of Mr. DeLong returned to the home, where luncheon was served. 

In addition to the Governor and his party there were present as Mr. DeLong guests Hon. Alex.

Billmeyer, Thad S. Vincent, of Mifflintown ; Dr. H. W. Sweigart, of Lewistown ; Harry Billmeyer, Major J. Beaver Gearhart, Theo. K. Angle, Bernard Shevlin, James Scarlet, Hon. John G. Harman, of Bloomsburg; Harry Ellenbogen, Thomas J. Trice, William G. Purse, Edward Purpur, George B. Jacobs, William L. Sidler, Charles O. Myers, E.M. Applebaugh, John F. Tooley, J. DeWitt Jobborn, Samuel C. Rebman, William L. McClure, Earle Ovington, of Atlantic City ; Lieutenant Porter G. Polk, Judge Max L. Mitchell and Senator Charles Sones, of Williamsport ; Thomas G. Vincent, Robert W. Froberger, Herbert T. Hecht, Lieutenant Edward F. Price, Lieutenant Carlton S. Wagner. 

Will Erect Marker.

 Colonel DeLong said yesterday to the assembled gentlemen at his home that it is his intention to erect a permanent marker at the spot where the key to the city of Danville was tendered to Governor Sproul, in order that the memory of the historic event may be forever perpetuated.

In the flight from Danville to Washingtonville Lieutenant Dunn, the aviator who has been thrilling the crowds during the celebration, carried as passenger Dr. H. L. Foss. Lieutenant Dunn and Dr. Foss left the landing field on the South side at twelve o'clock noon and circled over Danville for about nine minutes as they climbed to an altitude of 3,000 feet. Then the pilot headed over the hills toward Washingtonville and arrived over the village eight minutes later.  Over the Delong estate Lt Dunn shut off his motor and glanced over his shoulder to ascertain if Dr Foss was willing that he should do some aerial acrobatics for the crowd.  Dr Foss nodded a glad assent and the pilot put the plane through two consecutive Immelmann turns and then executed a long spiral to the field for a perfect landing within a few fee of where Gov. Sproul, Col. DeLong and guests were waiting."

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Souvenir Programs were sold for 25 cents

The program contained photos of the boys who died in service, a list of all who served from Montour County, and the program of events.

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MOVIE OF THE EVENT

A movie was filmed, of the Welcome Home Celebration

It was shown in the Luna Theater in December

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THE WAR MEMORIAL

During the 4 day celebration, a monument to show appreciation to those who fought in the Great War [World War I].  It was placed on the courthouse lawn.

As listed on the Memorial:

Killed

George Bloch • Charles C. Cotner • Burgess A. Gibson

James M. Gibson • Fred John Mayan Jr. • George J. Michaels

Earl B. Mohr • Paul T. Shultz • Frank W. Sidler

Karl Groff West • John S. Winner

Wounded

Frank W. Becker • Edwin G. Eyerly • James L. Fallon

William L. Fern • Clarence E. Fetterman • John A. Flanagan

Elliot M. Gearhart • Gotlib R. Gearhart • Elwood H. Gilger

Thomas S. Gilger • Thomas J. Hartman • Arthur J. Harvey

Harry H. Heiner • John Hemricks • Frank P. Hickey

Edward P. Hurley • Robert James Irvin • R. Warren Johnson

Edward W. Keefer • Richard L. Kessler • John E. Mausteller

John E. Myers • Donald A. McClure • Fred Owens

Albert Paugh • William Reese Renner • John W. Robson

Dominic Rogers • Israel Rudy • Howard F. Smith

Joseph A. Smith • Jacob F. Stine • Parvin J. Sweitzer

Joseph F. Woods • William R. Woolridge • Joseph A. Yost

Charles O. Young • Howard D. Young • John B. Youngman

Died in Service

Jacob P. Arnwine • Thomas T. Bower • Herman R. Densberger

Charles A. Faust • Charles R. Haas • Howard E. Krum

Robert E. Law • Rodney H. Leslie • William R. Ploch

John F. Reiley • Luther E. Sinton • James A. Ward

James W. Wintersteen

The World War I Memorial was moved to Memorial Park in 1949 when the World War II Memorial was built.

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From the Daily News, 1919

[Scroll down to near the bottom of the post for this image cropped into more readable sections]

A list of all of those who served, in the 1919 Danville News

[Scroll on down, near the bottom of the post I've posted this image in smaller, more readable, segments]

Reunion of World War Soldiers, Danville PA

Thought to have been taken in the early 1940s

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DIED IN SERVICE

WORLD WAR I, DANVILLE PENNSYLVANIA

In a larger, more readable format

1st Lt. Frank W. Sidler was a native of Danville and an American pilot in WWI. He was a member of 213th Aero Squadron and was killed in action, shot down over France on September 13,1918. This was less than two months from the end of the war. Danville's American Legion Post is named in his honor.

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THE LIST OF THOSE WHO SERVED

WORLD WAR I, DANVILLE PENNSYLVANIA

In a larger, more readable format

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READ MORE

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The World War II Monument

From Burial Grounds To Memorial Park In Danville Pa

Building Memorial Park & The Soldiers & Sailors  Monument

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Lest We Forget
An Index Of Stories & Photos Of Those Who Didn't Make It Home
And A Closer Look At Some Of The Memorials Erected For them.
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/05/memorial-day-in-valley-through-decades.html

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