Amador weekly ledger., 1858-07-10
Volcano Correspondence.

give full or extended account Of the cele
bration, but will only give brief description
of the incidents of that day.
At twelve o'clock, Sunday night, the firing
of guns announced to our slumbering citizens
that the Fourth, or rather the fifth of July
was being ushered in, and from that time un-
till daylight continued burning of powder
was kept up, to the great annoyance Of the
more sedate portion Of the community.
About daylight people from all parts of the
county commenced hocking into town, and
before eleven o'clock it was estimated that
there was over six hundred strangers in Vol
cano. Flags were displayed from nearly
every house in town, and the joyous expires
sion upon every countenance betokened a
day of general rejoicing
About IL o'clock the procession formed
on Union Square, under the direction of the
Chief Marshal, Dr. g. K Smith, assisted by
Mr.. Wooley, both Of whom we're mounted
upon elegant black steeds, richly caparisoned
In advance was the Sutter Creek Brass Band
next came the American Flag born by Capt
j. H. Miller, supported on the right by j. H.
Dennis and on the left by j. b. Cameron,
next to the coiors came the Orders of Masons
and Odd Fellows, followed by the officers of
the day, next came the thirteen young ladies,
dressed in white, emblematical of the thir-
teen original States, then came the Volcano
Hook and Ladder Co, in uniform, under the
direction Of their foreman, Mr.. Butterfeld
They we're followed by the schools, ladies and
the citizens generally, all marching two
abreast, making, altogether, possession Of
session marched down Main street and back,
then through Consolation street and Quality
row out Of town to the ground prepared for
the ceremonies, in Mr. Gresback's ranch,
where the Speakers booth and seats had
been erected After the asscmblage were
seated, the President Of the day-the Hon.
j. T. Farley--caled them to order and the
exercises commenced with prayer by the
Rev Mr.. Williamson reading Of the De-
claration of Independence, by Col. j. X.
Hatton, which was followed by music By the
Band. The President then introduced the
Orator Of the day, JAS. NJ Porter, Esq,
,tk .f
applause by the immense gathering. Time
and space will not permit me to speak OF it
as | would like Suffice it to say that it
cannot be too highly commended for its his
torical accuracy patriotism and literary
merit.
After the Grafton the possession reformed
and marched to the tables where an abnn-
dant collation. had been spread
After the ealables were dispatched the
President introduced the Toast Master, vino
in shocking bad manner, read the regular
aud several volunteer toasts, which were res
ponded to in proper manner by j. NJ Por-
ter, Esq, Hon j. T. Farley. Col j X Hat
ton, DIR. Munckton, Col. MADEIRA, NJ Evans,
r. Stewart, j. b. Cameron, L. S. Scott. F.
Mcbride, E. b Wooley Capt j. II. Miller,
Of Fort John, and other gentleman. who
made the toasts, decidedly, one of the prom
inent features of the day.
After the toasts were read aud several
patriotic airs were played, the procession was
again formed and marched back to town
where it was dismissed, with an invitation
to assemble on the Square in the evening and
witness the balloon ascension, fire works, &c
just about dark Balloon gayly decorated
was sent up. In the language of the Poet,
1t went up, amid the shouts Of the assem-
bled multitude, amid the strains of martial
music and the roar of Artillery-tillery-
tillery.-
The fireworks "went off in a manner
highly satisfactory to all spectators, especial
ly the grand display of Rockets, when the
sparks from the fre-wheel, got among them
and caused such general getting up and
getting among the crowd; the stick from
one of the Rockets hit Mr. Whitmore and
slightly injured him upon that part of person
supposed to be the most sensitive part of a
colored person.
The festivities of the day "wound up" with
grand ball in the evening at Mahoney
Hall. where was congregated the beauty and