Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-07-10
THE JOURNAL.
The Fourth in NHslScattne

n
Never in the history of this city has there
been such vast number of people within her
limits as we're here last Saturday. We had an
ticipated great crowd, but our anticipations
were more than realized. At 10 o'clock Satur-
day morning no less than eight thousand stran-
gers lined the principal streets. Wagons after
wagons came pouring into the city from every
avenue, commencing before daylight, and
continuing in one unbrokcn stream until past
noon, at which time everybody and their
cousins for miles around, were here for the
purpose of celebrating the S7th anniversary
of American Independence. Never before have
we seen so much interest and enthusiasm man.
ifested on any occasion. An extra train,
consisting of three we'll loaded passenger
coaches, from Iowa City and intermediate
points, arrived about ten o'clock, just in sea-
son for the passengers to witness the great
feature Of the day. The
PROCESSION
was the prettiest and largest ever witnessed
in this portion of the State, and we doubt if
it was ever surpassed on any occasion in any
portion of the State. There were ONE HUN.
DRIED AND sEvESTy-FouR WAGONS, which, to.
gether with the Floral procession, made up o
line of over mile in length, occupy
ing one hour and a half in passing given
point First in order came a squad of noble
patriots who had periled their lives in defense
of their country and returned hcme to enjoy
the hearty welcomes and blessings Of the
dear friends whom they had left-soldiers
discharged from service on account of wounds
or disability. 1t was touching sight to SEE
these war-scar: ed veterans, many of whom
mad become disabled for life, by the loss Of
an arm or a. leg, come forth on this day to re-
new their devotion to the country which they
had so CALAMITY upheld. May they long live
to enjoy the blessings cf a free, united and
happy country! But the feature of the occa.
sion was the 'Florel Procession" by the
young ladies Of this city. First came wag.
on beautifully trimmed with flowers and ever.
greens, on which, standing on pedestal also
tastsfully trimmed, was a representation OF
the Goddess of Liberty" personated by
Miss Cora Chaplin. Next came thirty-fve
young ladies on foot, dressed in white, repre-
sen;ing the shirty-fve States, arranged in the
form of crescent, with the horns projecting
toward the Goddess of Liberty. These were
followed by a number Of young ladies, array
ed also in white, with floral crowns upon their
heads, and their dresses tastefully trimmed
with flowers and evergreens. After these a
wagon beautifully trimmed, on which stand
had been erected; upon this three young Ia
dies Misses Ella Pratt, Rebecca Beard and
Rose Miller were placed, representing ''Fath,
Hope and Charity" followed by number of
young ladies dressed similarly to those who
proceeded. On a wagon arranged and deco
rated in the same manner as those proceed
ing, was Miss Mary Chapman, representing
Justice with the scales and sword. After
Justice came number Of young ladies',
surrounding and carrying beautiful cone
shaped, representation of the Union. These
were followed by large wagon tastefuly
trimmed and covered with leaves, containing
thirty five little girls, representing "Union."
Next in order came the delegations from the
various portions Of the county, in wagons
Some of these wagons were beautifully deco
rated, and being interspersed at various
points along the line, added much to the APP
pearance of the cavalcade. The procession
was the prettiest ever attempted here. Much,
if not all the credit, is due to the projectors
of, and participants in the Floral Procession.
Mr.. Geo. E. Fawc ett has been indefatigable in
his labors for the success of this feature, and
to him it is mainly due. To the young ladies,
who so nobly seconded his efforts, too great
praise cannot be awarded. Mr.. Walker is
also entitled to praise.
The procession formed on Second street
at 10 o'clock, marched up that street to Null
berry, up Mulberry to Eighth, thence to the
grounds. At the corner of Fourth and Null.
berry, beautiful festoon had been stretched
across the street from the grocery store Of
Martin Bi:zer to the Muscatine Hotel. The
route OF the procession had been well sprin-
killed. by Pat Healy. and no inconvenience was
felt from dust: after short march the
H. ERouNDs
were reached. Here everything had been
arranged IN creditable manner under the
supervision of the Chief Marshal, Robt. B.
Hatch, Esq, of whom We cannot refrain from
speaking here For the past month he has
been at work necessarily, with an untiring
energy. Having the general supervision Of
oil the arrangements, he has neglected none.
He is entitled to ard receives the thanks of
the community. a large stand hsd been
erected, of ample dimensions, sufficient to ac-'
ccmmodate, besides the speakers, President,
&C., the pupils of the Iowa Musical Institute.
who enligened the occasion with beautiful
patriotic airs, rendered in mastery manner.
Seats had been erected to accommodate from
three to four thousand people, but they were
found to be entirely inadequate for the people
in attendance. After . song
THE ORATORS OF THE DAY
were introduced. The most truthful report
we can make of the orators on the 4th, is to
say that never upon any occasion did We wit
ness such marked attention and profound
silence on the part of those who could get
within hearing distance, interrupted only by
an occasional storm of applause. The Grafton
of Judge Dillon, first in order, we believe was
never surpassed. From beginning to end it
was replete with truths that will never die,