Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-07-09
Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad.
The Fourth in Kenosha.

We were awakened at daybreak by the boom
ing of the cannon and the ringing of all the bells
in the city Although the ringing was not as
musical as the Chimes" we read of, yet the
clangor did not fail to cary US back to the time
when the old bell in the steeple of Independence
Hall first rang out to the expectant citizens of
Philadelphia the glad tidings that the immortal
Declaration of Independence had been adopted
by the Continental Congress-. 1t is said that
the old bcllman had sat in the steeple all day,
awaiting the signing of the Declaration, and at
last the intelligence came-a small boy ran out
swinging his hat and shouting at the top of his
voice-'Ring, Ring, he did ring, and
rang with such energy, that the echoes of the
clarion tones Of that old bell still ring in the
hearts Of al true American citizens.
THE GATHERING.
At an early hour in the morning teams began
to pour in from the country and the multitude to
gather in groups on the corners, and our streets
and sidewalks soon presented an animated ap-
pearsnce. The farmers had come out with
their wives, their sons and their daughters, all
in their holiday attire, with their rudy and
smiling faces, to honor the day whose annual
cry breast Soon the military in their neat and
shining uniforms, began to be seen through the
crowd, and anon the roll of the drum calling
them together at their respective rendezvous.
Next the Marshal of the Day and his assistants
appeared on the grounds, and as the hour for
marshalling the procession drew near, the crowd
concentrated around Market square, and the
streets leading TO it.
At about half-past ten, the Kenosha Rifles I'M
der the Command of Capt. LANE. and the Wash
iugton Light Guards, Commanded by Cap. CLARK
formed on Main Street. and marched to the de-
pot to meet the guests, and the Band of Music
from Milwaukee These two Companies made
splendid appearance, and were important
auxiliary to the celebration. The Rifles with their
nodding plumes and neat uniforms made fine
appearance and the Light Guards, though in
palmer uniform, were but little behind in their
tout en- semLle. On the return from the depot I,
the procession being largely augmented, march
ed to the Park, to listen to
THE GRAFTON.
Thousands were gather ed in the Park under
the shade of the ancient oaks that cast abroad
their leafy branches, covering almost the entire
grounds with grateful shade. Here the crowd
was gathered sitting upon the green sward, o
standing, when the officers of the day mounted
the platform, The exercises were opened by
an appropriate and eloquent prayer by the Chap
lain, Elder LoTHROP. The Declaration Of In
dependence was read by /. W. WEBSTER, Esq,
in his usual eloquent impressive manner. The
Orator ofthe Day, Z. w. EVANS, Esq, was then
introduced and delivered one of the most elo-
quent and spirit-stirring addresses that we have
listened to for many day Mr.. EVANS is al
ways clear, teIse and eloquent, but on this &C.
casion he surpassed himself. He was listened
TO with careful attention, and evident gratifca
ton by all who could get within hearing of his
voice. The exercises being closed the crowd
dispersed again, and each sought amusement in
his or her own way.
THE FUsILEEzs
About three o'clock in the afternoon, the multi !
tude were thrown into commissions by the appear
ance Of a company moving down Park Street, which
beggared a., description. AS the cortege wheeled
into Main Street the air was rent with the shouts
and wells OF the spectators while the grntesque
members Of the more grstesque company moved
along with slow and measured pace, aud with ap-
parent stole Indifference ohlivious # all sur.
rounding objects. Mounted on donkeya mules and |
rack q bone horses, and foot in the most gro.
tesque, ridiculous and outre costumes and horrid |
stlcks aud pItchforks, they looked more like reg
imenf OF taterdcmalions from Pandem0niu m than |
anything human. Their Artillery consisted of the |
smoke pipe of some steam engine mounted ON hage |
wheels, and drawn by three donkeys driven atndem
Nor must omit to mention that with them came
Satan also, or at least u very good representation
OF what that gentleman ia supposed TO be, horns
tail and boot band ofmusic, cOnssting of vi
o0no, cracked fiddle, busted drum head and a
couple Of tin pail covers for cymhas and musicians
TO correspond, was mounted in coal cart, and |
drawn by three small doukeys, preceded the corps.
After marching through the principal streets of the
city amid the continued shouts and cheers of the
crowd, they finally disappeared, and comparative
quiet reigncd.
Az ALARM OF FIRE.
lttlo after noon considerable confusion was
occaSloued by the cry OF Fire. II was soon found
that IRE had broken out in an old frame building
adjoining the Franklin House. 1t seemed TO have
caught IN some way from the chimney. The engines
were on the spot with their accustomed prompt
tude, but through the exertons of the occupants of
the house and citizens the fire was mostly extin-
guished before they arrived Bat little damage was
done 10 the building
YOUNG AMERICA.
Was overlowin- with patriotism, which leaked out
a. oil hours OF the day in allplaces through the
plosion of squ.bs, crackers and torpedoes, As a
general thing we think they were commercially qui-
e: aud uno5sirusiye in Their demonstrations.
rHE FIREWORKS.
tbs In the evening, though many had left for their
suoues there still enough remaining, 70 fill the
e.Park tu witress the display of Fire Works These
spectators under the superintendent OF Messrs.
can + Henry and Thomas Carter.
GENERAL SUMMARY
- On the whole the celebration satisfactory 10
= nearly all who participated. The day was fine as
could be desired. 4 smart shower the night before
had Ejd the dust finely, and the streets in fine
condition; though the dust began to be a little I'M
pleasant in the afternoon 1t is 20 be presumed that
considerable liquor was drank, for the saloons
were pretty generally crowded. bat we noticed very
tew cases OF aciual drunkenness. No sights rows
occurred that we heard off
We have heard il estimated by several gentlemen
who took pains t1 ascertain nearly possible
that thcre were about ten thousand persons present
who took part in some way in the celebration.
FATAL CASUALTY.
As the day drew 70 q close and the cannon
had done its duty and been dismissed. and the
exercises Vi tho day had been closed for the day
without accident to mar the festivities-not
even runaway nor n horse frightened, we were
strongly in hopes that the celebration would
pass of without anything serious occurring but
the hope was not 10 be realized.
just at dusk, with thousands of others citi.
liens and strangers, We repaired to the Park 10
witness the Fire Works that had been prepared
for the occasion. As we entered the Park we
noticed in one Of the oaks young man. who
had climbed there Cor the purpose Of having 3
more elevated view Of the fire works, or in mere
wautonness We paid but little attention to