of march was: flag, Castalia band, boy scouts, school children, Liberty band, one hundred servicemen in uniform—all in step to the cadence of Sergeant Lester Ean —and decorated automobiles carrying local dignitaries.

In the afternoon, there were free street attractions, consisting of four professional acts.

At 5:15, the doors of the opera house were opened to all veterans and their guests. A bountiful dinner was spread by the Red Cross Ladies upon newly erected banquet tables. This feast was followed with an entertainment presented by the faculty of the public school.

A huge bowery, covering almost a city block, was opened in the evening. As many as 400 couples enjoyed dancing to the music of an eight piece orchestra.

The Peace Jubilee was certainly a laudable occasion presented by a grateful community for the enjoyment of their service men. Perhaps it was a bit too jubilant --two bullet holes were reported in the windows of the Dessel Implement Co.'s store the next morning.

The Ossian businessmen sponsored a four day free Chautauqua this year. It was held in a large tent and attracted thousands of spectators. Corporal H. O. DeGraff spoke the morning of the second day; Lt. Governor Moore in the afternoon; and Lt. Alexander Lewis, chaplain of the Wild West Division in the evening.

Editor Schmitz complained that wages are now "sky high" in Ossian. He is trying to hire a man, but finds no applicant willing to work for less than $28.50 a week of only 48 hours.

The postoffice announced that postage on first class letters has returned to two cents—one cent for postcards.

Mr. & Mrs. William Hemesath entertained members of the Liberty Band at their home. The Hemesath family has a band of their own. Most of the children play musical instruments including clarinet, cornet, baritone, alto, tenor and the bass drum. Mr. Hemesath declares a willingness to fill any dates cancelled by the Liberty Band Boys.

The following account of the Hemesath Band was written by Mrs. William Dessel for this book. Our thanks for her valuable contribution.

THE HEMESATH BAND

The Hemesath Band had its beginning back in 1877 when teen-agers, William and John Hemesath, walked to Decorah and bought a violin for $3 from the Marsh Music House. They took turns trying to play it on the way home.

Blessed with perfect pitch and the ability to "play by ear", they soon learned well enough to try other instruments. Although they never had any formal music lessons, they learned by listening to other bands.

William acquired a baritone and John a bass horn. They were soon joined by their brother, Frank (who later moved to Presho, South Dakota) with the clarinet, and Henry Bohr who played the slide trombone. Mary Bohr (who became John's wife) played the drums. They inscribed the bass drum, "The Hemesath Band", and for many years they provided music for their own enjoyment and that of the Ossian community.

In later years, the family of William had their very own band. Besides the father, who directed the band and bought the uniforms, the band consisted of his sons: William, who played comet and later clarinet; Frank, who played cornet and baritone; John, baritone and valve trombone; and George, alto and mellaphone. A daughter, Marie, played the drum.

Carrying on the family musical tradition, each of the three daughters in the family became Catholic nuns, music teachers and church organists.

During these years, it was traditional for the band to play in the Corpus Christi processions at St. Francis De Sales Church every June. The brass band accompanied the choir as the procession of all the parish slowly moved from the church out to the cemetery, stopping at the small chapels for Benediction three times. Hymns were sung in Latin or German. After the procession, the band play-