Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1868-07-17
THE FOURTH AT WINTHROP.

Ed. BULLETIN As q natural conses
| quence Of the indulgence Of considerable
pride over our 4h ofJuly celebration, comes
a desire to let your readers and "all the
rest of mankind know some Of the particu-
lars Of that eventfuf occasion. A few Of our
citizens thought best to redeem the i'll fame
Of Buchanan county as regards 4,h Of July
obserTances. by making an effort to have a
genuine good time ON that day. A meeting
was called. II was thought that enough
were interested in the enterprise to warrant
the attempt. or course the usual number
were found who grasely shook their heads
and made dubious predictions Of failure.
But these were disregardet, and the busy
work Of preparation was heard for several
days previous to the 9TH. Our farmer friends,
together With most Of our villagers, pianked
down the needed funds to the amount OF
over two hundred dollars, and the various
committees went to work. The day opened
anspiciously. A newly purchased field>.
piece Numbered forth its welcome salute q
sunrise. People poured in from all direc>
tions, and the morning breeze unfurled to
their eager and delighted vision a magnif.
cent regulation flag, swenty five feet long,
streaming from staff whose altitude when
decked with the flag, made it visible for .
1suSa ~ Ectoac Al
iag and and pole as well as the cannon are
permanent possessions al ready for future
service. The western train brought an inn
mense cargo Of over 400 celebrators, who
we're welcomed by the thunder of artillery,
bursts Of music and the shouts Of thousands
gathered to receive them. Now began the
prescribed order Of the day. Under the able
charge Of Marshal John McGowen the pro-
cessiou, consisting of,he Independence Brass
Band orator, Independence Hook L Lad
der Co., and last, but by no means least, A
young ladies representing the States and
Territories, followed by citizens in carriages,
moved out to our splendid grove situated
west Of our village. This procession merits
more than passing notice. Before the last
wagon moved the first had arrived at its des-
tination, nearly three>fourths ofa mile dis
tant. II rcsenbled indeed AN army with
banners,' and as it proudly moved over tie
verdant swells Of our beautiful prairie, with
inspiring music, and the prancing Of gai'y
caparsoned horses chatting under the spur
Of their uniformed riders, every eve gazed
with admiration, aud oil seemed filed with
patriotic enthusiasm. At the grove the ar.
rangements, with one exception we're COM
plete. The stand was occupied Ly the beau.
tiful array Of young ladies, officers of the
day, orator, musicians and invited guests,
while wide expanse Of comfortable seats
accommodated the greater number Of wo
men ani children present. After an earnest
prayer by the Rev. l.. W. Brintnall, the
Glee Club gave US one ofiheir finely execu>
ted patriotic songs. This was followed by
the reading Of the Declaration Of Indepen>
dence by DR.. n. C. Markham, when tho or
ator of the day, Rev. Henry Mills, favored
US with an effort which for elegance Of dc
ton, beauty Of illustration and 6ne delicacy,
in handling controverted questions is seldom
heard equaled. The only possible objection
to the ora,ion was its brevi,y. All seemed
disappointed at its apparently early conclu-
sion. Then came the refreshment of the in
ner man and woman. Our village people
had prepared themselves for inviting any
from distance who came unprovided with
eatables, and ifany we're missed Of this for.
tunate class, it was not for lack Of effort
to include them all. Afer this came more
good music and responses to the toasts Of
the occasion. The uniform excellence ol
these responses forbids anything like suc>
cessful attempt 1t particularizing. Then a
closing song and the great concourse return
ed TO the village edited and pleased The
balloon ascension thereafter from Main St.
Was grand, although somewhat compromise
ed by the wind, which caused to ignition Of.
| tSt tCoNuhuk ~ ostuaS W 0tous wv shou
sand feet. The display Of fireworks surpris-
ed US oil. The like was perhaps never
before witnessed. By an accident, the large
boz ia which the whole stock was packed
received spark from an ascending intro
duesory rocket, and such demonstration
deies the widest flights Of the imagination.
Those in charge were seen tnmbling head.
long off the building, delicate young ladies
tainted "clean away" horses took fright,
the crowd yelled, and the surging volcano OF
ERE. after few moments Of terrible uproar,
subsidized, 10 the relief Of all. Taken alto.
gcther il was field day for Winthrop. /,
is with pleasure we notice the fact that
throughout the whole there was no drunk.
enness, no disorder, no rowdyism, but all
combined good order and good cheer. For
this We give a large share Of credit to our
Marshal, Who seems to be made up for .
leader of such occasions. No serious acci-
dent happened to mar the general pleasure
Of the day. An excited horse nearly troi !
down Rev. L. W. Brintnall, but hs escaped
with an injury Of one foot. The exception
able part Of the arrangement on the grounds
before alluded to, consisted in An inadequate
supply Of cooling drink furnished. But We
did not expect to Be called upon to keep
cool 1000 mouths and throats, task which
on such day may be constantly attempted
but never completed.
Yours for our county.
TAo BEATEN Flag - tho N1uehesyo etc
egoa Gen. v00aove4s