100 Years Ago This Week: Aug. 30-Sept. 6

From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, September 2, 1913: Yesterday morning’s parade was the largest Labor Day demonstration ever seen in Indianapolis.  More than 3,000 members of organized labor — machinists, metal workers, stove mounters, blacksmiths, carpenters, steam engineers, plumbers, iron workers, cigar makers, bricklayers, printers — many clad in the symbolic dress of their trade — carmen wearing black capes, light colored shirts, horseshoers in blue shirts, leather aprons, brewery workers wearing blue shirts, white ties, suspenders — marched three and four abreast through downtown streets. A float with motion picture men had a modern motion picture machine in operation. Various bands were interspersed among the marchers including the Paperhangers’ “Rube” Band.  Officers of international organizations with headquarters in Indianapolis either rode in automobiles or marched with the locals. Thousands of spectators lined the sidewalks along the line of march.