This year, the Swiss Historical Village has been making special note of the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the Pioneer Monument in downtown New Glarus. Part of this month's newsletter is being devoted to reprinting contemporary comments about the well attended two-day celebration on August 16 and 17, 1915, as recorded in the New Glarus Post:

A special Milwaukee Road train ran from Monroe to New Glarus, via Brodhead, to bring celebrants and Company H of the Wisconsin National Guard.

The brewery, pop factory and waterworks were all running at full capacity.

Henry Trumpy of Monroe, the oldest of the remaining pioneers, had planned to attend the celebration but died during the weekend.

About the time the governor's car was expected, the New Glarus band and a reception committee marched to the bridge east of town. When a car was seen coming in the distance, one person said get ready, he's coming. Then another said, no he isn't, it's a Ford (Gov. Emanuel Philipp drove a big Pierce Arrow).

After the governor arrived, the actual unveiling ceremony took place. It began with an invocation by the Rev. G. D. Elliker of Swiss Church. Then Thomas Luchsinger, representing the subscription committee, presented the monument to the village, which was represented by Village President Dr. C. A. Hefty. The monument was "unveiled" by a young girl.

Assemblyman S. A. Schindler, who also served on the committee, said: "May this monument be a new spur to new impulses in the development of this town and enliven the spirit of perseverance, of hope, of diligence, and faithfulness to the pioneers." The community was encouraged to protect the monument and hope was expressed that it "always be kept in a respectable condition and that it be an ornament to the town."

The New Glarus and Monroe Cornet bands then played the Star Spangled Banner, followed by remarks by Gov. Philipp. The choirs sang "Heimat, Heimat, Ueber Alles." After a lunch break, there was a procession to the Village Hall for additional speeches. The parade was to have gone to the Shooting Park, but rain made the road too muddy.

Tuesday was set aside for amusements. There were two baseball games (New Glarus beat Monroe, 7-3, and the Fauerbach team of Madison beat New Glarus, 5-0), water fights, Swiss-style wrestling, and "moving picture" shows. There were dances in the evening. Engler's eight-piece orchestra played at Lengacher's Hall (the New Glarus Hotel) and the Bast and Booth Orchestra of Monroe played at Gmur's Hall (the Wilhelm Tell Hotel).

No outside vendors were allowed here. All the side attractions were under local management (except the dance bands).

The only place that people were "soaked" at the celebration was at the water fight and Monday's shower.

Sue Moen

The Pioneer Monument in downtown New Glarus.

Lee German, one of the members of the Monroe band, had his cornet stolen from the pool table in the New Glarus Hotel. The cornet was recovered, having been in the possession of a Brodhead man.

Although many were slightly worse because of intoxicants, no disturbance of any kind was made.

That the local police force was on the job was proved Tuesday evening. Two officials saw a small ray of light coming from one of the local business buildings at 12 o'clock. They rounded up the "criminals" and they proved to be two local people in a secluded place as they counted the money that had been made at the celebration.

About $3,000 was raised by a special committee to pay for the monument.