The following article provides details of the celebrations in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1922.

 

 

The Charlotte Observer 5/20/1922, p.1

 

CITY IN GALA ATTIRE, STAGE ALL SET FOR THE GREAT DAY  

People of Charlotte and North Carolina to Honor Distinguished Guests of World Renown While Celebrating Anniversary of Signing of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence—Many Military Units to Participate.  

Weather Forecast—Fair. City in Glad Gala Attire. Visitors Here and Coming. State All Set for Big Day, Commemorating Mecklenburg, Declaration of Independence.  

Before the sun has climbed far up the sky, Charlotte will be all astir in anticipation and realization of one of the biggest celebrations ever held in the city, staged under the auspices of Hornets Nest post of the American legion.  

General John J. Pershing, commander of the American expeditionary forces in the World war; Hanford MacNider, national commander of the American legion, the organization of the men under him; Governor Cameron Morrison, of North Carolina, and his staff; General A. J. Bowley, commander of Camp Bragg, Fayetteville, N. C.; Congressman A. L. Bulwinkle, of the ninth North Carolina district; General Julian S. Carr, commander in chief of the United Confederate veterans—these, and many other distinguished guests will be in the city today.  

Two troops of cavalry, Hickory and Lincolnton; two of infantry, Concord and Charlotte; and one of howitzers, Gastonia; American legion men from many posts in North Carolina, and in South Carolina, fair women and brave men, will be in Charlotte for the day’s events.  

City Well Decorated.  

The city is putting its best front on, with United States and North Carolina flags and welcome and American legion banners, hanging from each of the street railway wires, and flags and bunting draped on each light standard from the Southern railway, to East Avenue tabernacle, on Trade street, and from Morehead to Seventh street, on Tryon.  

In addition, practically every business house and residence in the same territory, with many throughout the other sections of the city, are covered with flags and draperies, giving the city a real gala appearance.  These decorations will form a splendid background for the military appearance the city will have, with the national guard units and former service men in their uniforms.  

Amplifiers at the Park.  

A large platform has been erected at Independence park, capable of seating around 300 people, who will be admitted by official stand badges only.  

On top of the platform have been erected five amplifiers in a nest, the horns pointing in five directions, which will enable people a block away to hear the exercises as well as those very close.  The amplifiers were put up yesterday by the Southern Radio corporation and have been thoroughly tested.  These amplifiers will not interfere with the acoustics of those near, blending so as to make the sounds far-reaching, but not too penetrating.  

Go to Meet Pershing.  

Congressman A. L. Bulwinkle, Mayor J. O. Walker, Chairman Lee A. Folger, of the reception committee, Commander Victor Shaw and Vice-Commander Louis D. Sutherland, leave in a special car early this morning and will meet General Pershing’s special Pullman at Salisbury, joining him as the  train comes through there this morning.  

General Pershing, Commander MacNider, Major Marshall, General Pershing’s aide, and the committee meeting them will be met at the Southern station on arrival of the train here at 9:25 by the Shrine band and Hornets Nest riflemen, accompanying them to the Southern Manufacturers club, where Governor Morrison will receive them.  

Forming of Parade.  

The parade will have formed off South Tryon street, on streets between Morehead and Hill streets and will move into parade formation, heading at Stonewall street, at 10:15.  

General Pershing and the other guests of honor will take their positions at the head of the parade, which will move off at 10:30 o’clock, passing up South Tryon to Independence square, thence on East Trade to Elizabeth avenue, where the honor guests will take their positions in automobiles to review the parade.  

Floats will continue on Elizabeth avenue and turn toward Myers park, there disbanding, while the marching organizations will move down Elizabeth avenue to Fox street, which they will take to the park.  The honor guests, after the parade is passed, will go out North McDowell and Seventh streets to the park.  

Exercises at the Park.  

Exercises are to begin at Independence park when the parade and the crowds have reached there, probably about 12 o’clock, with Commander Victor Shaw presiding.  

Governor Morrison will welcome the visitors, after which Vice Commander Louis D. Sutherland will introduce National Commander Hanford MacNider, who will address the assemblage.  

Following introduction by Congressman Bulwinkle, General John J. Pershing will first present a French medal to Dr. Alonzo Myers and then deliver an address, which will conclude the exercises at the park.  

A luncheon will be given General Pershing at the Southern Manufacturers club at 2 o’clock.  Followed by a reception, to which the public is invited, at 4 o’clock and lasting for an hour.  

Dinner for Legion Men.  

In honor of Commander MacNider, State Commander Thomas W. Bird, of Asheville, National Committeeman Dan S. Hollenga, State Adjutant Cale K. Burgess, of Raleigh, a dinner, with a small group of guests, will be given at the Southern Manufacturers club at 7 o’clock.  

The closing event of the big day will be the grand ball at the city auditorium, beginning at 9 o’clock and lasting until midnight.  This ball will not be strictly formal, it is announced, but those not dancing will be admitted to the balcony.  

During the afternoon the ball game, band concerts, fireworks, the war picture and other local attractions will be offered the visitors.  

Distinguished Guests.  

In addition to General Pershing, Commander MacNider, Governor Morrison, General Julian S. Carr, commander of the Confederate veterans, General Bowley, commander of Camp Bragg, Fayetteville, Congressman Bulwinkle, Commander Bird, Adjutant Burgess, Committeeman Hollenga and numerous other honor guests will be present.  

All of Governor Morrison’s staff is expected, including Adjutant General J. Van B. Metts, Col. Don E. Scott, Majors Gordon Smith, Wade M. Bowman, Ralph R. Faison, K. Ed Carter, Tom C. Guthrie, Jr., Henry C. Dockery and Captain Silver.  

Luncheon Guests.  

Guests invited to the luncheon at the Southern Manufacturers club at 2 o’clock today in honor of General Pershing and the honor visitors, are announced as follows:  

Victor Shaw, post commander, General Pershing, Governor Morrison, General Bowley, General Metts, Congressman Bulwinkle, Colonel Don E. Scott, Mrs. Bulwinkle, Mrs. R. E. Digney, Capt. R. F. McLendon, Major Gordon Smith, Mrs. Minnie Fagg Malloy, Mrs. Hugh Montgomery, Captain Harrelson, Mrs. E. W. Burt, Mrs. Latta Johnson, Mrs. Goidus Smith, Major J. V. McGougan, Mrs. J. Van Metts, Capt. H. S. Silver, Mrs. J. R. Wilkes, Mrs. T. L. Alexander, A. J. Beall, C. V. Thornburg, W. W. Cox, Frank A. Owens, Louis G. Ratcliffe, W. S. Charles, Walter Clark, Jr., B. H. Cathey, Dr. Baxter S. Moore, Walter B. Orr, S. B. Alexander, Jr., Claude A. Cochran, Major W. R. Robertson, W. M. Jones, T. L. Alexander, E. C. Sweeney, H. C. Dockery, Dr. H. W. McKay, Mr. Laughlin, Mr. Parker, Mr. Johnson, Lane Etheredge, Mr. Dozier, Dick Young, Norman Pease, M. R. Dunnagan, Cameron Allen, Mrs. C. B. Bryant, R. E. Simpson, C. B. Bryant, S. Y. McAden, LeRoy Parker, Guion Griffith, J. E. Huneycutt, John Berryhill, T. T. Allison, General W. A. Smith, C. O. Kuester, General Julian S. Carr, W. C. Dowd, Col. A. L. Smith, Col. Wade H. Harris, Lee A. Folger, L. D. Sutherland, Commander M. C. Lumpkin, Mrs. Isaac Hardeman, Mrs. E. P. Coles, Mayor J. O. Walker, E. P. Coles, Dr. Alonzo Myers, Major Marshall, A. D. Shelton.  

Guests for Dinner.  

Guests invited to the dinner to the national and state American legion officials at the Southern Manufacturers club at 7 o’clock are the following named:  

General Julian S. Carr, Col. A. L. Smith, Cameron Allen, Cale K. Burgess, Thomas W. Bird, Col. Wm. A. Smith, M. C. Lumpkin, L. D. Sutherland, Congressman Bulwinkle, Major J. V. McGougan, General Bowley, C. A. Cochran, Col. Hanford MacNider, T. L. Alexander, Commander Victor Shaw, S. B. Alexander, Jr., Governor Morrison, Major W. R. Robertson, General J. Van B. Metts, W. M. Osborne, Lee A. Folger, S. Y. McAden, R. E. Simpson, Dan S. Hollenga, Mayor J. O. Walker, George W. Harvey.  

To Make Motion Pictures.  

A series of motion pictures of the parade and other interesting features connected with the celebration will be made today to be shown in the theaters throughout the country within the next week.  

These pictures will be produced by the Pathe News, of Charlotte, under the personal direction of E. E. Heller, local manager of the Pathe offices, with Herbert W. Pelton and J. Hampton Livingston as the cinematographers.  The release of these films among theaters will greatly advertise the Twentieth of May in Charlotte.  

By special arrangement, Thomas L. Alexander, chairman of the May 20th celebration committee, permission for the picture men will have right of way in the parade route, with the approval of the police department.