The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-07-09
THE CELEBRATION an EMPoK1A.
OBSERVATIONS BY SANDY. ,,

NEWS OF last week, the young man with
|'sandy hair, Roman nose and massive brow''
was on the ground taking notes." and would
beg leave to submit the following report Of
what he saw, felt and realized while ceIsbrat-
ing:
THE DAY.
On the morning Of 1.-the day we celebrate
the sun rose in all its majestic splendor, cast
Ing its effulgent rays athwart the blue ethereal
dome Of heavens vast canopy-but unfortu-
nately cloud or two happened to be in the
way and the morning was not as propitious as
it might have been. \ few drops Of rain fell,
and while it did not dampen the bosom of
mother earth, which was already water-soak-
ed, 1t did dampen the ardor of some OF our pa
! triotic citizens. But-as the sun mounted up
toward mid-heaven, and the town clock on
the court house pointed to the hour of nine,
the clouds broke away and the day turned out
TO be most lovely. The sun shone forth in all
its brilliance, nature having put on its most
beautiful robes, and while the gentle zephyrs
from the south played among the branches of
the trees, the birds were pouring forth their
joyous notes in tuneful melody III happy an
ticipation Of what was to come. All nature
seemed combined in one grand effort to make
this day long TO be remembered in the event
full history Of Emporia.
THE CROWD.
At early hour in the day the people be-
gan To pour in from the country, and it was
soon evident that the whole country had turn
ed out eR DtdSse. They came in wagons car
riages, on horseback and on foot-fair maidens
with rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes and swelling
bosoms, accompanied by robust sons of toll;
old gentlemen with their wives and families
an Intelligent, we'll dressed people-a crowd
!
sion. In fact, after gazing intently for few
minutes in certain direction we, were led to
Remark that "eFeF.thiRss was lovely and the
goose was hanging high.''
THE FORMATION.
At ten O'Clock, not very sharp time, the
Grand Marshal, accompanied by numerous
assistants, mounted gaily caparisoned
chargers CHATS horSes), with sashes, star
spansled banners, American eagles and horses
tails floating Rroudly in the breeze, 1'the
| sword OF Bunker Hill appearing conSpicuously
! in the foreground, made their appearance and
| began to issue orders for the formation Of the
! procession; the EnpOria Silver Cornet Band,
meanwhile. playing its most soul-stirring and
patriotic songs. Being ''Citizens OH foot" we
were ordered to form in line near the corner of
! Commercial street and Seventh avenue, with
our flank" resting diagonally cr0sswise-cir-
/ commenting longitudinarily athwart the cen
ter of mud hole. Having on pair of spotless
linen brooches, we did not propose to "'flank''
it TO any great extent. The procession was not
rs well formed it might have been, owing
! perhaps, to the fact that the "Spring Chick
ems had not been assigned place to rest their
fianks. 1t was also observedAhat some of the
- Bachelors" looked Mt the sun too often
through the bottom of pint flask. Your cor
respondent having a weakness that way was
of course the first to observe these little irreg-
ularities. This celebration being gotten up
under the auspices of the Sons and Daughters
of Temperance, of course they were the heroes
of the day, and their appearance from the hall
was anXiously looked for. When everything
was ready for
THE MARCH,
This society made their appearance with
banners fying-the band playing "Hail Co
lumbia,' while a small African in the back
ground was whistlin" yankee Doodle'' and
dancing jig-horses prancing and Grand and
Assistant Marshals giving commands amid
the roar and din of two or three fire-crackers-
a scene truly terrific and one requiring a more
graphic pen than ours to describe. We cam
not attempt to picture the beautiful regalia,
the notices, flags, etc, nor can we describe the
swelling emotions that filled our bosom as we
Emporia's fair daughters, who had ''gone
back on Christi Pomeroy would say, be-
come welded to the cause of Temperance.
Suffice i to say that throughout the entire day
they were the observed of all observers, doing
honor to themselves and to the cause they re-
present. Their appearances WAS the signal for
the forward movement and the line of march
was Mt once taken up. The band preceded the
column, followed by the Sanhedrims the
Great Moguls, the orator of the day, the Presi
dent, the Mayor and City Council, county Off
GERS and men of rank, members of the press
and a shorthand reporter, who was busily en-.
gagged i'll recording all that he saw and heard
Immediately following came the Sons and
Daughters of Temperance; then followed the
Masons and Odd Fellows, (f) citizens in ear
riages, citizens in wagons and large number
, on horseback. Therewere two hundred team,
in the procession and about two thousand
people.
| THE GROUNDS.
The pro ccssion marched direct to the Grove
which is situated mile south Of town OF
Hiatt's bottom, and there found that consid
cradle preparation had been made to enter
tain this immense concourse of people. Their,
were two kerosene barrels full of water-thi
being temperance crowd it was not expected
they would drink much-besides there was tn,
placid but now swollen Cottonwood, with
slaughter house only hundred yards abOv,
and other accommodations and arrangement
too numerous to mention.
THE EXERCISES.
1t was understood that the OratiOns, speech
es. lectures and other exercises would be shor
that the audience would have ample time t.
enjoy themselves by having social intercOurs
with each other, etc, etc, and we are happy t.
, state that none of the speeches We're more thar
two hours long. The Declaration of Indepen
, dence was read, and many Of Emporia's mos
gifted orators held the audience entranced 70
many long hours. The music was good-th
picnic dinner also good. Too mucl
praise cannot be given to the gentlemen VIII
conducted and to those who participated III tn
musical exercises.
WHAT HAPPENED.
The young man who attempted to show hi
deXterity by helping young lady alight fror
- u horse and unfortunately slipped and fell
4 making an impression with his linen pants O.
h the bosom of nature instead of the young Ia
g dy's, and causing her to show her agility b
. diSmounting herself, was not a member Of tn
Bachelors Club"
The old gentleman who went to leap at tn
! root of tree and lost pint flask from his sid
pocket, did not belong to the Sons and Daugh
= tiers.
i THE FIREWORKS.
e In the evening a large crowd assembled q
: the corner of Fifth avenue and Commerci3
street, where 4 stand had been erected to wit
) ness the fireworks. There seemed to be gre;
= enthusiasm over these performances, but W
u must confess that we often found ourseiyG
; asleep ''betwecn scenes A" The laundering
! the Band the war of anYiIs the crash of firs