The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-07-07
THE FOURTH AT HOME.

THE FOURTH AT HOME.
The 9th anniversary ef the pro-
mitigation of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence was celebrated in Ravenna
in old-fashioned style. A little after
IL midnight, the deep mouthed bel
lowing of artillery and clarion tones
of the fire bell rang out on the clear
night air, startling many persons from
sound sleep, who, with visions of
fearful confagrations and terrible loss
of property and, maybe, life before
their eyes, rushed half dressed to their
doors, making anxious inquiries as to
the location of the fire. Their anger
and vexation caused by their too has
ty conclusion were allayed, however,
when they remembered that all this
noise and clamor was but mode of
expressing appreciation of the occa-
sion of which the day was an ami
versary. They retired again, and
sought that little rest they could find
until dawn of day, when it was i'm
possible longer to sleep the noise was
deafening.
AT l o'clock the enlivening strains
of patriotic air by the Silver Cornet
Band called the people together, and
it was observable that much larger
crowd of people was in attendance
than Ravenna was used to. In fact
the crowd was immense. After the
Band ceased playing, S. D. Harris, of
the PRESS, called the assembly to or
der and announced the programme,
which was as follows:
l. Music.
2. Prayer by Rev. E. D. Mason.
3. Music. -- =
4. Reading the Declaration of independence
by Geo. L. Ticknor.
6. Grafton by W. B. Thomas, Esq.
z. Music.
s. Parade and Practice DI i'll by the Fire De-
partment.
o. Climbing the poles wheelbarrow race; sack
race.
Fireworks in the evening
In arranging the programme for the
occasion as printed in the PRESS, the
reading of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence was omitted, but afterwards
the Committee of Arrangements
thought better of the matter and con-
cluded that it would lily accord with
the spirit of the times to dispense with
the reading of the instrument the
adoption of which they were celebra-
ting. It would be like holding Divine
service without using the Scriptures.
The music was as it always is. excel
lent, and all who listened to it felt
proud that such an institution existed
in our midst.
The Grafton by Mr.. Thomas was an
excellent one and we would be doing
injustice to the speaker were we to
attempt even synopsis of it.
The parade of the Fire Department
was grand, the engine under charge
of Chief Engineer Miller, worked to
charm, and the members of the two
companies displayed skill and abili-
ty in managing their different apara-
tus that speaks well for their diligence
in practice and reflects credit upon
their officers for the efficient manner
in which they have conducted the
practice exercises.
In the evening a large crowd
thronged the streets and upper win
dows of the buildings along the square
to witness the display of fire works
and well were they repaid for their
patience, for the shooting rocket with
its many colored serpents and stars,
the brilliant Roman candle, the wheels
of fire, the deafening "mine," togeth-
er with the indispensable and inevita.
BILE little nuisance, the fre-cracker
made up a scene that was magnificent
and grand.
Taking it all in all, we were salts
fed with our celebration, and we have
heard but little complaint as to the
manner of its management. Messrs
Geo. F. Robinson, Newell Mix, A. G
Mason, j. 7. Cox, Edward Knapp
and Henry Barber deserve great praise
for the manner in which they per
formed their duty.
Il 45-5 {, = : 10