Mobbed By Children, Tonto Parades Here

Tonto came "home" today for the first time in 17 years.

Perched high on the back seat of a convertible, a handsome, smiling Jay Silverheels was welcomed to Brantford with a downtown parade.

Despite police efforts, scores of children broke through to surround their hero's car.

Business came to a stand-still as crowds moved into the streets.

Store workers left their counters, people leaned from upstairs windows, construction workers on a new building stopped to watch.

There were five other cars in the parade, carrying Indian displays and Six Nations Indians in colorful costumes. There were three bands - the Six Nations Indian Brass Band, the Brantford Catholic High School Girls' Trumpet Band, and the Brantford Kinsmen Boys' Band. But they were in the main ignored.

Harry Smith, Mohawk Indian who became Jay Silverheels, (faithful Indian companion of the Lone Ranger), moved into the limelight alone.

Within half a minute of the time the parade started at Victoria Park, at mid-morning, it was joined by Brantford's youth. There was no stopping. They crowded in around the lead car of the parade. Following cars had to move back to make way for them.

The hero of the day, slimmer and more handsome than he appears on TV, waved to the crowd with one hand; and held his 10-month-old daughter, Pamela.

Beside him rode his wife and daughter, Marilyn, 10. In the front seat rode Mayor Sherman.

The procession stopped at the City Hall while Silverheels signed the official city guest book. It then moved on to Lions Park, where his admirers had a chance to meet him in person.

Along the route, older folks smiled, and youngsters were in ecstacy.

"Where is the Lone Ranger,?" asked a 10-year-old.

"Who cares about the Lone Ranger,?" retorted a companion 10-year-old.

"Hey, doesn't he look just like he does on television?"

Tonto was not in his familiar Indian garb. He wore a plain blue-grey business suit.

It was the most enthusiastic reception Brantford has given anyone in years.

"Much larger than we had ever expected," said Mayor Sherman. "We should have had more police out."

Said Tonto:

"It's the greatest thing I've seen. I never expected people to greet me like this. It's wonderful. I'm glad to be home."

Silverheels was officially welcomed to Brantford by Mayor Sherman at a noon luncheon. He was presented, by Ald. Hogarth, with Brantford's recognition for distinguished visitors, a replica of the telephone.

The city also made a presentation of $100 to the Sour Springs Community Fund, to be used for the Jay Silverheels Arena at Ohsweken.

Mrs. Silverheels and Mrs. A. G. Smith were presented with flowers by Mrs. Sherman.