The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-07-15
THE FOURTH AT ARKANSAS CITY.

Need premise by telling where and
what Arkansas City is? think not,
though three months ago, Arkansas
City had neither name or existence, and
none save the Usage Indians had tray
ersed its site. Yet, on the Fourth, it had
patriotic, as all American citizens are,
they did celebrate. They did it after
this wise. At ten o'clock the citizens
and residents of surrounding country
were formed in procession in front of
the Woolsey House by Capt. Smith, and
proceeded to Max. Fawcett's grove, on
the banks of the Arkansas. This grove,
beautiful by nature, has been rendered
more so by MaX's artistic hand. Arriv-
ing there, strolls and chats were indulg-
ed in until the dinner hour, when the
crowd crystalized around different
points of gastronomic interest, and pro-
ceeded to discuss, with much interest
and apparent satisfaction, the contents
of diverse and sundry baskets, buckets,
and boxes. To our certain knowledge
the Arkansas City people have good
things to cat. The city takes pattern of
its Godmother, Emporia, and discour-
ages the sale and consumption of intoX-
icating drinks but the oldest soaker
would have forgotten his t'red eye" in
the presence of the bountiful supplies
of pure cold water flowing from Max's
| springs.
Dinner dismissed and the crowd set
tied, 4 selection of vocal music was
finely rendered by number of ladies
and gentlemen. l may say of all the
music, both. vocal and instrumental
that it was creditable, not only to a
town not yet six months old, and stand
ing as an outpost on the borders OF
civilization, but would have been con-
sidered highly meritorions in any place
After prayer by Rev. Swarts, and an
/ other piece of music, Prof Norton, the
orator of the day, was introduced, and
for about three quarters of an hour, adj
dressed the people in most interesting
manner.
Diminishing the past and matters OF
more general importance with few
eloquent remarks, he directed attention
to things of the present and future OF
great local importance. He appealed tc
the people to plant trees, and urged the
necessity of it, because of the climatic
influence they would exercise; because
they would afford homes for birds, the
sworn enemies OF all noxious insects.
i'm order 10 supply the demands of the
future; and in order that town and
country might be made attractive and
pleasant. He directed attention to the
importance of railroads to their country
Spoke of the wonderful agricultural re
sources that would be opened up there
by; and of the cheapening of all foreign
imports by means of a railroad tina
} must soon be built to tide water, dowl
the Arkansas valley. He urged upol
all the vast importance of the Common
School System as an element of perma
nent FIXTURE prosperity, and expressed
hope that at that place would never ex
list a starveling college, with its wis,
: looking and pretentious professors, ant
its cOneeited students pouring over tn
foolish fables of a long since dead Ian
guage, while the living, scientific truth
! of living age should go unstudied
but that in the place thereof should b
the well regulated public school, full O
the life and spirit of the age.
An abstract cannot do Justice to tn
professors speech, it was eloquent, ap
plicable, and well received. After tn
speaking and singing the crowd dis
lpersed, some to their homes, some L
the river to sail and fish, and all read
to declare that the first Fourth of Jul
celebration in Arkansas City was
| success.
There were well attended celebration
at three points in this county, in whic
county, one year ago, there were nc
half dozen white mems homes. tn
> change is marvellous, and what is bette
the people are happy and contented, an
sanguine of the future. OF course nc
very much of a crop will be raised thi
year on the sod freshly turned over, bI
next year the lower Walnut and Arkar
sas valleys will laugh with such hal
vest as will surprise even Kansas.