WAR EFFORT: Things were far different a century ago. Looking through some old copies of the Era, we found a gold mine of information about public support for the war effort in World War I.

We wanted to share this description of a parade promoting war bonds.

“Enthusiasm — not a frothy type but the earnest, sincere enthusiasm inspired by serious thinking — was the dominant note among the hundreds of Bradford residents who yesterday cast aside their usual parade affiliations and marched in organizations for war activities which consisted of a magnificent demonstration of genuine democracy in behalf of the fourth Liberty Loan campaign which officially opened Saturday but will be actually launched this morning in Bradford.

“Projected practically on the spur of the moment, the process was composed of associations of men, women and children brought together largely through dire necessities arising from the war and included rich and poor, old and young, all nationalities, white and colored, all intent on providing money to back the men behind the guns on European battlefields.

“In the aggregate it was a fine exhibition of America’s practice of the democracy she preaches and notwithstanding its impromptu character, the marching units and their individual members went over the route with military precision. And it was withal a colorful column. Banners with multi-tinted lettering proclaiming the slogans of Liberty Loan drive; distinctive banners in handsome colors designated the different units while each individual carried either an American flag or a service flag, the latter in several cases displaying a plural number of service stars with a few made from gold to indicate a home bereft. The chief marshal and sides in Sunday black with silk hats afforded the extreme in hue to the one hundred Red Cross workers in white with the crimson emblem of their organization.

“The weather was ideal, bright sunshine conspiring with a nicely adjusted and invigorating temperature to give zest to the program.

“The line of march was from Mechanic street and Chautauqua Place to Main street to Davis and countermarch and the head of the returning column reached the Grand theatre long before the left of the line has passed downward, indicating nearly one mile of marchers in close formation. The Citizens band lent inspiration of new war songs to moving paraders, gave a concert at Main and Congress streets while the procession was entering in detachments the three theatres, the Grand, the Lyceum and Star, and later played accompaniment for the remainder of the marchers and spectators while they conducted a “sing” in Public Square park.”