The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-07-30
fETTESs FROM EOvyA.
GUTARIE, GUTHRIE Co ,.1owA,l
Julv Q 1o-0

GUTHRIE, GUTHRIE Co Iowa,
| July 6, 1872.
Els. SrlMT: Thinking that perhaps a
few lines from the West woeld not be un-
interesting to some of the readers of the
SPIRIT, I thought:t would not be amiss to
devote few leisure moments in telling
YOU how we celebrated the birth day Of
this vast and Independent Republic that
all Americans are sojustly proud of.
-. THE FOURTH AT STUART. e.
In regard to the situation of Stuart, it
is only necessary, in order to solve the
secret of its rapid growth and prosperity,
to say that it lies on the Chicago Rock Is.
land and Pacific Railroad, some fifty miles
from the capital of The State, Desmoine)
and in two of the most fertile and fast
settling counties of the State, Adair and
Guthrie, Capt Chas Stuart is the foun-
der Of the place, and it is an honor to any
town to have suuh a kind hearted and be-
nevolent man for proprietor and name
sake He strives TO do justice to all men
alike, and succeeds admirably. But
hold, Macbeth, l am DEPRESSING, and must
resume Nriting about the "'doins" at Stu
art.
Long ere the month of June had pass
ed into oblivion the enterprjsing and kind
people of Stuart had resolved themselves
into committee of one, and unanimous
fly decided to celebrate the Fourth" in a
manner that would not only be pleasant
to themselves, but to all, whether old or
young, male or female, prince or plebian
! it mattered not whether they came in gol.
den chariots or afoot-back, the welcem,
ing hand was extended to all alike,
At 5 o'clock I'm. Capt. Stuart, at the
head of delegation of eighty of his Hi
nois friends, arrived on IA special train,
and the people of Stuart were awakened
from their peaceful slumbers by the
booming of the cannon which announced
their arrival =.
About the time Old Sol crimsoned the
oriental horizon with his clear and bright
rays, people from distance came rolling
in in almost every imag aginable description
of vehicles, all THAT | saw being sup
piled with baskets filled with the choicest
of viands, that contained eatables that
would alleviate the hunger of the most
fastidious
A10 O'Clock large procession moved
slowly along the beautiful and decorated
streets WITH lhh. Stuart Comet Band in
the lead, and w ee- -aw- wee-haw,' or some
other chief, in hot pursuit, mounted on,,a
frantic steed that 'champed his iron curb,
and pranced just like mule will. Ipre-
sumo there were some three or four hun
dred Joined in the procession, which was
pretty good considering the size Of the
place. '#l-.l
After the processian was. over the peo,
Eple repaired to the Wig~aIn, which was a
very large shade arranged with seats,
speakers stand, DC, that would accom-
modate about three thousand persons :
At IL the orator of the day entered the
stand, accompanied by the proper COM
mittee. and trouble soon began. The
Rev. Kellogg was called upon to offer
thanks to the Almighty, and he did so in
one of those soul-stirring prayers that
would move the heart Of the most eccen-
trio unbeliever.. i,i ,- [ .t'.t
Immediately following prayer, the Stu
art Glee Club delighted the audience with
some of the sweetest vocal music ever
had the pleasure of listening to- they
sang several appropriate national airs,
which always awaken feelings of loyalty
IN the bosom Of true American. Long
ere they finished, the Wigwan was crowd
ed to its utmost, by anxious and interested
listeners. The band then gave US "Hail
| Columbia," and the music ceased for a
time 5t1
After the committee of arrangements
had given the. female portion of the audi,
ence time TO Huss' alittle. fix the "hitch
up of their Dolly Vardens leetle more,
rise up, brush off the seats with their
"fellers" borrowed nose-rag, enquire by &
meaning look, "HoY. do you like my
har2" give strong hints. for anything
that was impossible, then they were ready
, to s'go ashore" ~ tll- We
Miss Harlan was then introduced, to
read the Declaration Of Indepensaepce.--
,, She appeared, before the. audience in 9
"don't care if it SHOWS kind of manner
that.dispelled all fears of embarrassment
She done justice to her sex and nation, by
: reading that most important document il
! loud, clear tone Of voice. 'e
!; The principal orator Of the day, Judge
, Mott of Des Nome, then look the stan(
, andentertained such as love good speak
( ing in very satisfactory manner Som'
i. Eother speakers were on the stand, and af
| ter they "shot their mouths OFF, unit
tired, ,toasts were in order; this was some
) what interesting, as there was some ex
/ ceedihgly witty and appropriate one
made and responded to.
Bit it was time for grub and that mus
a not be neglected, and accordingly peopl
/ dispersed to their several baskets ant
partook heartily of the good thing
therein contained. sI.ss
j Early in the afternoon, people wer'
I somewhat startled by the'e entrance oftw'
;; distinct tronpes, one under the nom d
!, Iplitme Of "Shiverourbuttons and Whoop
einup," ,(that's as near as | can come a
7 lit, J and the other the Fantastic Raga
+ mufiins" The first was a mounted troup
a of lady and gentlemen riders, fixed up il
4 regular circus style, and the other was
), minstrel troupe on a portable style, ar
l. ranged on a wagon; they delighted tn
i audience and wonder strnak gazers. 70