Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-08-23
For the Mineral Point Tribune
Fourth Of July Celebration.
ISprrExDExcE Gaovg. July 4 1889

ISpEPENDENcE GRovE. July 4, 1889.
/ On the evening of the ID Of July the compa-
( ny of emigrants under the leadership of Captain
6ALLASEs, of Davenport, Iowa. and Sarceant
n ALL, of Iowa County, Wisconsin. pitched their
tents days march nearer the golden land in a
beautiful grove on the bank of the North Platte.
which was named Independence Grove. in hon-
or of the coming Fourth
On Sabbath eve, as the shades of twilight
deepened around, the company was called to-
gether 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. After
considerable discussion handsome majority
were found to be in favor Of remaining when
on motion committee of arrar genents was
appointed to prepare public dinner aud fo-
other purposes.
At midnight 4 single gun was fired, heralding
the advent Of the anniversary of the greatest
day shat ever dawned upon the world The day
that witnessed the rights of humanity. That
shook European despotism to its very centre
and kiudled a fire in the souls of men that burns
to-day. as the plains Of Italy bear ample tez;i-
rnonY.
The day was ushered in by the rapid and con-
tinuous discharge of rifles and revolvers, the
firing being kept up for an hour or more
The following are the Places represented by
the company Delavan. Toma, Clinton. Butter
Cedar and Scott counties in Iowa Iowa county
Wisconsin, and Monroe City. Michigan and
then again most Of the Tew England States had
their representatives.. as also New York and
Pennsylvania. The land Of the magnificent
Rhine had her delegation. and the Isle of the
Sea on whose dominions the sun never sets
and there too were the coHntrvmen of the gal
liant and chivalrc La Fayette, the friend and
companion Of the great Washington.
At midday thirteen guns were discharged
one after a2other. from Fort Laramie, in honor
of the thirteen original States of the conteder-
acy. About this time several other trains came
along, among their number were some eight or
ten ladies. Could you have seen US about the
time the fair cortege arrived upon the ground
you would no doubt have thought Us highly de-
lighted. Dinner was now announced. " hen the
boys were organized by the Sergeant. marched
around the encampment. and ranged on either
side Of the table where, after returning thanks
70 the arbitrer Of descinies Of men and nations.
and invoking bis guardian care for the future,
they partoOk Of = faest more sufapjous than i
prepared on many similar occasions IN the
States. The prairie furnished Us with buffalo
and antelope. the river with delicious fish. and
there was an ample supply Of cakes, pies. Pud
ding, fruit, DC our drinks we're lemonade and
ginger beer; not beng supplied, unfortunately
with that subtle poison that = steals away mems
minds" and has wrecked full many a noble
heart treigt,ed with happiness and purity and
truth.
In the cool of the evening the several conpa-
nies were called together. when on T. otion. H.
?. HAwKISs. Of Monroe. Michigan, was appointed
President Of the meeting. and ". L. SHELTER
Secretary. The "Star Spangled Banner" Hail
Columbia" and several other patriotic airs were
then sung with applause after which the Dec
laration of Independence was read 4 brief
but eloquent oration was delivered by J. c.
DEAN Esq. Of Van Buren, County, Michigan
The audience was also addressed by Sergeant
HALL, and several Others. On motion 4 vote of
thanks was returned TO the Committee of Ar
rangements. On motion Of GEORGE L. Hall.
JAMES {. NOBLE, and CHARLES URrS, Of Iowa
County, Wisconsin, it was resolved that the pro-
ceedings of this meeting be published il the
Mineral Point Tribune
HI. HAWKINS. President.
y. L. SHELTER, Secretary.