Published July 26, 1962
It was 31 years ago that the Watervliet City Hall was built and dedicated and many local people will remember the dedication day, which was really quite an event. That date was June 13, 1931, and on a Saturday. It was sponsored by the Watervliet Chamber of Commerce and general chairman was the late C.I. Monroe, who played a large part in making the affair a decided success. It was in the form of a Home Coming and some 5,000 persons attended. The program opened at 10:30 a.m. with a band concert in the afternoon.
A light rain for an hour or two in the late afternoon interfered somewhat with the comfort of the spectators at the ball game, but the entire nine innings were played with Paw Paw winning over the Watervliet Metropolitans by the score 5 to 1.
At 1:30 p.m. the new $15,000 hall was dedicated, with the late Congressman John J. Ketcham giving the dedication address. He was introduced by the late Leon D. Case, then mayor of the city, and one who worked diligently for the support of the new municipal building.
In his address, the Hon. Mr. Ketcham said it was the duty of each and every citizen to believe in his hometown and to take an active part in the making and enforcing of its laws. He condemned the lazy excuse often heard in many towns, and Watervliet is no exception, that “a few were bound to run it, so let them run it.” Instead of such a foolish evasion, all should enter into local politics with enthusiasm and make this influence felt and seen in improved conditions, he said. The speaker spoke highly of present achievements here and predicted a still brighter future.
The big entertainment feature of the afternoon was a monster parade to Hays Field, headed by the Watervliet High School band. And what a parade, as I recall it.
The Watervliet Record, in the June 19 issue, had this to say: “The Watervliet Fire Department had a new piece of apparatus designed especially for the occasion that made quite a hit, as did the old surrey and mule driven by C.I. Monroe, accompanied by three charming Misses in old-fashioned attire.”
“Other amusing outfits in the parade included an ancient vehicle driven the Gillard Sisters and bearing the sign ‘Just Married’; Otto Kreiger with his road cart and mule; Alton Howard in cowboy attire and astride a mule; Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Peirce in the former’s Reo automobile of 1912 vintage, and a group of children. Charley Cooley had a big time taking pictures of the crowd and Joseph Collins, ‘The Mystery Man,’ had many callers.”
Jimmie Dunham, local aviator, made his sensational leap from an airplane at 5:30 p.m. and landed as he said he would near the baseball diamond at Hays Field. Cheers and the honking of automobile horns greeted Jimmie as he swung gracefully to earth.
Members of the arrangement committee were hosts to Congressman Ketcham at a noon luncheon at Rainbow Inn with about 20 in the party, after which Mr. Ketcham and C.I. Monroe were escorted to town by “Amos and Andy” in a properly decorated “flivver.”
The program and announcements were carried to all sections of the street by the amplifier system rigged up for the occasion by Stanford Keasey and Jack McKenney, and the special lighting arrangements were provided by C. E. Shepard and Elliott Spreen.
That June day 31 years ago provided a day of clean fun and splendid fellowship and there were a lot of prizes provided by Watervliet business houses. The following is the list:
Heaviest Man - Dr. C.V. Spawr, Benton Harbor, 250 pounds, 4 prizes.
Slimmest Man - Henry Barney, 25-inch waist, 2 prizes.
Tallest Man - Lloyd McKee, 6 ft. 6-1/4 inches, 2 prizes.
Shortest Man - Pete Fillmore, 4 ft. 5-3/4 inches, 2 prizes.
Lightest Man - Charles Janek, 114-1/2 pounds, 2 prizes.
Heaviest Woman - Mrs. Fred Hentschel, 4 prizes.
Slimmest Woman - Mrs. C. W. Lewis, 20-1/2 inch waist, 2 prizes.
Tallest Woman - Miss Margaret Friesen, 6 ft., 2 prizes.
Shortest Woman - Mrs. W. J. G. Hall, 4 ft. 8 inches, 2 prizes.
Lightest Woman - Mrs. Edwin Camp, 75 pounds, 2 prizes.
Best Dressed Man - Z. A. Brule, 2 prizes.
Most Ridiculously Dressed Man - Charley Cooley, 2 prizes.
Oldest Automobile - B. L. Peirce, 1912 Reo, 2 prizes.
Best Dressed Women - Miss Florence Smith and Mrs. Frank C. Smith, 1 prize each.
Most Ridiculously Dressed Woman - Elmer Pelkey, 2 prizes.
Largest Family - Mr. and Mrs. John Frazier, 13 children, 2 prizes.
Parade prizes were awarded as follows: 1st Place, Fire Department; 2nd Place, C. I. Monroe; and 3rd Place, the Gillard Sisters.
Judges were Mrs. S. G. Bridges, Phil Cutler and Allen Woodruff.
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