World War I 100 Years Ago: Jan. 6-12

From The Indianapolis News, Friday, January 12: Led by mounted police and the Indianapolis Police Band, five hundred Hoosier National Guardsmen paraded through the downtown streets to the State House late yesterday afternoon. Stores were decked with flags and bunting and many hundreds of persons lined the streets cheering and waving flags. Inside the Capitol Gov. James P. Goodrich and a number of other dignitaries greeted the soldiers while patriotic music filled the air. Former Gov. Samuel Ralston commended the men for adding to the peace and dignity of their country during the recent Mexican crisis. “You have breathed the breath of new honor, and you have added new luster to the flag and to Indiana,” he said. The soldiers were joined by their wives, mothers, and sweethearts at a buffet supper. Later the men were presented service medals.