Cuba City Veterans' Reunion, 1903

Many thanks to Alexander Bare for sharing this image of a ribbon from one of the many Grant County veterans' reunions to be held in Cuba City!

On June 23-24, 1903, Cuba City was decked out to welcome 270 Grant County veterans (255 Civil War, 15 Spanish-American War). Trains rolled into town, bringing former soldiers, family members, and other attendees (local newspapers estimated the total number at 4,000-5,000 people). Crowds of people, along with the Cuba City Military Band, gathered at the railroad station to greet the arrivals. 

 

This photograph could have been taken at the 1903 reunion or a similar celebration. The image is from the "Remember When" DVD put together by Beanie Loeffelholz and the City of Presidents.

The second day of the event was the main attraction, with a parade through town. The veterans marched in a double line and were followed by the 24-piece Cuba City Military Band, drum corps, "the Catholic Knights, the Cuba City Fire Company, the girls in the flag drill, the cavalry company, and carriages, in which the oldest of the old comrades were conveyed, some, perhaps, for the last time." (Fennimore Times, July 1, 1903).

 

This image, courtesy of John Riha, appears to capture a veterans' parade in Cuba City, perhaps even the 1903 event.

The rest of the reunion activities took place at the city park (Veterans Memorial Park today), which was filled with tents for the old soldiers. There were speeches, music, a dancing pavilion, vaudeville shows, magic acts, fireworks, games, a cavalry drill, even a drilling contest between the "men of the mines."

One unplanned bit of entertainment came courtesy of an attention-seeking painter working on the town's new water tower. The Grant County Herald described the spectacle:

"A journeyman painter engaged in painting the huge new water tower, furnished a free exhibition on the flag staff 130 feet above ground Tuesday that was voted a most reckless performance. At the dizzy height he would poise on one foot on the ball at the top of the staff, and even balance himself on his head. Spectators turned their heads from the sight and many left the scene. The fellow was informed that his services as a mid-air artist were not required and he furnished no sensations after that." (June 27, 1903) 

In addition to describing the entertainment and business meetings related to the reunion, local newspaper correspondents were impressed with Cuba City in general. The Lancaster Teller reporter found that "when visitors stop off there, they feel that they are in a city with lights and water and modern conveniences to make them as comfortable as if they were in Boston."

The Fennimore Times correspondent was even more enthusiastic, particularly when it came to the town's park: 

"Cuba City is a bright, clean, hustling and progressive village. It has waterworks, a steel water tower just being completed, electric arc lights for lighting the streets, and a fine park. By the way, we fell in love with that beautiful park, and said to ourselves 'if Fennimore only had a similar place for out door gatherings.' The citizens of Cuba took time by the forelock, and fifteen years ago, we believe, set aside this square, only a few blocks from the heart of the city, for a park. The trees planted then have now grown up and form an excellent grove. The city in general is a model of thrift and cleanliness and, being so level, reminds one of an Iowa town."

The Lancaster Teller and Fennimore Times provided some of the most in-depth coverage of the 1903 soldiers' reunion, and can be viewed below.

Lancaster Teller (July 2, 1903)

Fennimore Times (July 1, 1903)