100 Years Ago This Week: March 15-21

From The Indianapolis News, Monday, March 17, 1919: The morning rain ceased and the clouds broke as the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade stepped off at Michigan and Meridian Streets and proceeded south to Monument Circle with soldiers and sailors of Irish heritage, commanded by Lieut. Hilliard Francis, in the lead. Grand marshal Michael Mahoney followed with members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Women’s Auxiliary, and other Irish organizations. Adding to the profusion of shamrocks, American flags, the flag of the Irish Republic, and other colorful Irish banners, store fronts along the route were decorated with the American colors and the official Irish tricolor of green, white, and orange. The colorful march wound its way to Tomlinson Hall where Joseph Cangany, chair of the St. Patrick’s Day committee, presided over a mass meeting featuring speeches and Irish music.