100 Years Ago: July 12-18

From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, July 17, 1924: The annual French fete sponsored by the Irvington American Legion Post to raise money to care for wounded or permanently disabled American servicemen opened last evening at Jameson [Ellenberger] Park. The four-day event given during the week of France’s Bastille Day holiday features booths festooned with American and French flags hung together where hot dogs, barbecue sandwiches, frosted cakes, and candies can be brought. On the slick boards of the dance floor a “scooter” race among the youngsters proceeded the first dance. About 1,000 people attended the first evening’s festivities. Among the speakers, Hilton U. Brown, who lost a son in France, stressed the need of keeping faith with men who served their flag in wartime and to whom a national debt of care and consideration is due in times of peace.