New Glarus Centennial Celebration

Greetings From The President Of The United States Received, Musical Program, Speeches Given

New Glarus was to suitably celebrate and commemorate its founding 100 years ago, “after the war was over.”

The fact that V-J Day fell a day before the planned centennial observance for this year added a purposefulness and quiet peace to the program held on the church lawn last Thursday.

Speakers and audience alike felt that in honoring their forefathers for the fine job they had done in the first 100 years of New Glarus life, the next 100 were indeed, the opening of the door into a new era, an era “demanding as much courage and bravery as the first Swiss settlers displayed.”

Program

Highlight of the musical and oratorical program came when Gilbert Ott, Chairman of the Centennial committee, read the following telegram from Pres. Harry S. Truman, White House:

“Hearty greetings to you an all who commemorate the One Hundredth Anniversary of the founding of the first Swiss Colony in Wisconsin at New Glarus. After the hardships of a long and perilous journey these brave pioneers established their homes in a new country.”

“They and their descendants have made valuable contributions to American agriculture and to the arts and sciences in all the decades since the arrival of their fore-bearers. It is especially fitting for the citizens of the present day to honor the memory of these brave men and valiant women.”

Senator Alexander Wiley also sent a telegram of greetings.

Musical Events

The high school band, under the direction of Miss Rose Marie Rolph, entertained at various times during the afternoon; a mixed choir from the Swiss Evangelical and Reformed Church gave several numbers; the Maennerchor and the Yodelers sang several selections; Mrs. Anna Gempler and Miss Dorothea Widmer, in Swiss costumes, played the accordion and sang and yodeled.

Greeting the special guests, who had previously been entertained at a luncheon at the Wilhelm Tell Hotel, and welcoming the crowd filling the hillside in front of the church, Burgermeister Gilbert Hoesly said; in part:

“One hundred years ago there came to America from Switzerland a group of families who made for themselves a new home. It was not easy. My grandmother was one in the second group of colonists to arrive. She told me how the first settlers received them with open arms and tears in their eyes but they warned them, “In God’s name, if you have enough money left, go back home. For we haven’t enough food or shelter to carry us through another winter.” But the second group, too, was broke. Together they survived and that is why I can welcome you today, to one of the best little cities in the state of Wisconsin.”

The Rev. Walter J. Stuckey gave the invocation. Harvey Ott announced the musical numbers and had charge of the loud speaking system, and Gilbert Ott acted as Master of Ceremonies for the speaking program.

Consul

Acting Swiss Consul Ulrich Beusch, Chicago, offered several fine thoughts in his speech, part of which follows:

“It is a great privilege and pleasure for me to be here today, and to extend to you all on the occasion of your 100th Anniversary the sincere greetings, congratulations and best wishes of the Swiss government.”

“No doubt the Swiss tenacity and endurance guided the pioneers of New Glarus and made them venture into new fields once they realized they could not succeed merely by sticking to their former occupation, raising livestock.”

“New Glarus in particular, and Green County in general, have done an excellent job in the dairy business and an especially outstanding one in cheese making. Certainly, as an outsider, I can safely make you the compliment that you have contributed in no small way to the splendid reputation which Wisconsin dairy products enjoy today all over the United States.”

Reputation

“Usually if I have to deal with an attorney in the state of Wisconsin, the first thing he asks is “do you know the people of New Glarus?” and immediately he will picture a community of admirable soundness, thrift, modesty and endurance, where practically everyone is doing well, if not better.”

“For my part, I always have marveled that besides working hard, the people of New Glarus found time for cultural and spiritual development. I am firmly convinced that the annual presentation of Wilhelm Tell is an excellent expression of the perpetual forces of democratic government and love for freedom.”

Consul Beusch also read greetings from the government of Kanton Glarus and the Hstorischer Verein from Glarus. The Canton of Glarus had presented several engravings to the community as a gift in commemoration of this occasion.

Other Speakers

Besides Chief Justice Marvin Rosenberry, who gave the main address, Senators Olson, Robinson, Representative Smith, and Assemblyman Keegan sat on the platform. George F. Stauffacher, a direct descendant of one of the first settlers who came to this country as a three-year-old boy, came to speak a few words.

Gordon Crump, state agriculture advertising department, was publicly thanked for his help and inspiration on obtaining the centennial stamp.

Assemblyman Harry Keegan promised all the legislative help possible in the big centennial celebration to be held in the future and suggested that “now would not be too soon to prepare for it.” NOTE: The 1945 celebration was very low key because many of the New Glarus men and women serving in WWII were not yet home. A much larger celebration took place in August 1946.

Smith

Representative Lawrence Smith, Racine, said that when he was in Washington, Pres. Truman had asked him to be his representative here. He said that “we stand on the threshold of a new era, an era which calls for bravery and courage so that in the days of reconstruction ahead the prerogatives invested in local and state governments, and assumed by the national government in war-time, will be returned to the people.” Unless this is done, Smith warned that the adverse trend would take us back to the “very conditions your forefathers came to this country to avoid.”

Robinson

Sen. Robert Robinson brought the greetings of Rock County and said that, “The settling of Green County was a fine thing for the state of Wisconsin. They were the only people who realized how valuable the cow was, and they did something about it.”

“Though the number of people was few, they made Wisconsin the leading dairy state in the nation. It produces more cheese than any other ten states put together.”

Robinson said the Swiss also “built character. I wish Europe would agree to let the Swiss run it. But I’m afraid they’d be too smart to tackle the job.”

Newsmen

Photographers and newsmen were on hand to record the day, many towns people had appropriate displays in their show windows, and the American and Swiss flags and large welcome banners decorated the town. The speakers platform erected on the church lawn south of the monument was also decorated in bunting and flags.