The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-11-20
AN IMMENSE SUCCESS y.
Cannon Torchght Parade Fireworks, Toass, Speeches

party in our Nation, giving assurance oil
the certain return of the government tc
the principles Of its founders, is certain
! ly an event calculated to excite the most
jubilant feelings in the breast of every
man and woman who clings to the faith
of the fathers, who believes the mission
of the government to be, in the language
Of the Constitution, " to secure the bless
ngs of freedom" Such has been the
feeling of the Republicans Of Buchanan
County over the election of Mr.. LINCOLN
and the prospect of the country having
an honest President and an honest adj
ministration. Their triumph, also, in
County and State, has added largely tc
their joy, and in order properly to dem
onstrate their appreciation of the victory
las kind of safety valve for their en-.
thusiastic feelings-they resolved tc
have grand jubilee. The needed steps
wero taken and on Friday last the event
came Off
The weather, so uncertain at this sea
son of the year, remained clear, warm
and genial, during the whole week, and
Friday was the pleasantest day Of all
Fairer weather for the preparations could
not have been asked for, and it undoubt.
eddy had much influence in drawing out
the great crowd assembled. 1t facilita.
ted all the operations, and made waiting
pleasant.
On Thursday the work of constructing
the wigwam commenced, and such was
the energy displayed that it was com
pletely finished early on Friday morn
ing. The building was located north OF
Main Street, on the bank Of the river, on
a beautiful level ridge of ground. 1t
was goo feet long by 43 feet wide at the
bottom, and about So feet at the top,
with wing for kitchen l2 by 90 feet.
1t was certainly a novelty, and an ac-
count OF It's construction may not be
.amiss. Three rows of poles, about 20
feet in length, IA in each row, were SET
in the ground, at proper distances apart.
Nailed strongly to these, at the height of
It feet on the center row, and Is feet on
the outside rows, and running horizon
tally the length of the building, were
beams, upon which rested roof of
boards, pitching both ways, and proper
" battened. The sides of the building
were formed by resting one end OF the
boards against the outside beams, and
tbs other upon the ground at a proper
angle, and the wigwam was complete,
only few nails being used, and the
building being strong, symmetrical and
unique. Eight tables, each about 100
feet in length, with seats, were erected,
with proper tables for the kitchen. On
the outside-the building was decorated
with AZ small flags, one nailed to the
top Of each pole at each end of the wig
wan foated large and handsome flag.
On the inside the building was finely or
namented with wreaths, festoons, and
BRAN hes Of evergreen. On the north
end, in letters Of evergreen. were the
words l." Honest Old Abe,"" and large
photograph of Mr. LINCOLN was also
tastefully framed in evergreen. The
building was Illuminated by innumela-
bic candles set in large frames suspend
ed from the poles, and by number Of
side lamps.
AS the Democrats, in view Of the eel
ebration, and with desire TO interfere
with it, had stolen the town cannon, two
other cannon were procured, one from
Dubuque and the other from Quasque-
ton, and they were kept booming most Of
the day and evening As the afternoon
wore away, and long lines OF teams, loa.
ded with men, women, children and
provisions, came in from all quarters, IL
became evident that the great capacity
OF the wigwam would be inadequate to
the demand. Our town was perfectly
alive with country people, and Main
street was perfect jam of teams and
human beings. We certainly think that
more persons were in town on Friday
than were ever before congrcga.ed here.
About four o'clock, the Wide Awakes
formed, and to the number of eighty or
ninety, marched to the Court House,
headed by the brass band, and two mar
tai bands. There long procession OF
Wide Awakes and citizens, numbering
fully thousand, formed and marched
down Main Street, over the bridge, and
back 10 the wigwam.
la the meantime the tables had been
aid for the supper. Over thousand |
plates and as many cups were laid upon
he eight hundred feet Of table. Pro
visions were in grand profusion, thanks