Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-08-14

"a j u.
The following report OF az open air csle.
bratisn on the Plains, Although received very
late IN the day. We feel bound to give it
room 10 our column:
IsDErfsDrscr Gsovn. July 4th. 1859.
On the evening OF the Sd a July. the
company Of emigrants under the leadership
Of Capt. Gsilanes, Of Davenport. lowe. and
Sergeant Hall. Of Iowa county. Wisconsin,
pitched their tens Q days march nearer
the golden land. in beautiful grove on
the bank Of the North Platte, which was
named Independence Grove in honor of the
eomisg Fourth.
On Sabbath eve, as the shades of wilieht
deepened around, the company was called
together for the purpose Of determining
whether they should travel on the morrow,
or remain where they we're, and celebrate
the birthday Of American liberty in proper
manner. fAfter considerable discussion. q
handsome majority we're found TO be in ia
vor Of remaining when on motion. CON-
mittee Of arrangements was appointed to
prepare . public dinner, and for other pur
poses.
At midnight single gun was fired. herald
ing the advent Of the anniversary Of the
greatest day that ever dawned upon the
world-the day that witnessed the vindi
cation of the rights of humanity that shook
European despotism to its very center, and
kindled . fire in the souls of men that
burns to day, as the plains of Italy bear am-
pie testimony.
The day was ushered in by the rapid and
continuous discharge of rifles and revolvers.
the firing being kept up for an hour or
more.
The following are the plaees represented
by the company:
Delaware Tams, Clinton, Cedar and
Scott counties. in Iowa. Iowa county, in
Wisconsin. and Monroe city. Michigan. And
then again. most of the New England States
had their representations. as also New York
and Pennsylv ania. The land of the mag
nifcent Rhine had her delegation, and the
Isle Of the Sea, on whose dominions the sun
never sets. And there too, we're the coun-
trymen Of the gallant and chivalric Lafay.
cite, the friend and companion Of the great
Washington.
At midday, thirteen guns were discharg
ed, one after another, from Fort Laramie,
in honor of the thirteen original States OF
the confederacy. About this time. slsc,
80 veral other trains came along Among
their number were some eight or ten ladies.
Cou Id you have seen us about the time the
fair cortege arrived on the GROUND, you would
no doubt, have thought us highly delighted.
Dinner was now announced, when the boys
were organized by the Sergeant, marched
round the encampment, and ranged on
either side of the table, when, after return
ing thanks to the Arbiter of the destinies oil
men and nations. and invoking His guardian
care for the future. they psrtook Of feast
more sumptuous than is prepared on many
similar occasions in the States. The prairie
furnished us with buffalo and antelope, the
river with delicious fish, and there was On
ample supply of cakes, pies. pudding. fruit
DC. Our drinks were lemonade and ginge.
beer, not being supplied, fortunately
with that subtle fluid which "steals away
mems brains.' and has wrecked many no.
bic heart freighted with happiness, purity
and truth.
In the cool of the evening the several
companies we're called together, when, OF
motion, II. P. Hawkins. Of Monroe, Michi.
gan was elected President of the meeting
aud W. l.. Shelter, Secretary. The "sta,
Sprangled Banner" "Hail Columbia" and
several other patriotic odes, were then sung
with applause, after which the Declaration
Of Independence was read A brief but elo
quent GRAFTON was delivered by J. G. Dean
Eco of Illinois. The audience Was also ad
dressed BY Sergeant Hall and Others
On motion vote of thanks was returned
to the committee Of arrangements. On mo
ton of Captain George Gallsner. d. Gala
ner, Fred. Bath and Henry Bnshueil. it wal
resolved that the proceedings of the cele
bration be published in the Iowa STArl
DKMocsAr. A salute was then fired. aftel
which the company dispersed. highly graf
fled with the days proceedings.
II. P. HAWKINS, President.
W. l.. SLEEPER, Secy