Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-07-12
The Fourth at Avoca.

The Fourth at AVoca.
EDS. CHRONICLE
Thinking you and the readers of your
paper might be interested by a brief &C
count of the doings here on the Day of all
DAYS to the patriotic, loyal citizens OF
America, the following is submitted
The celebration of the Fourth of July
Just past, at Avoca, was success. Early
in the day the farmers with their families
came in with their wagons loaded, from
all parts of the surrounding country. AT
10 a. IN. the express from the west brought
a large number of the citizens of Muscoda
and other parts to join with US in making
glad the day of common rejoicing.
The gathering is variously estimated at
three thousand and upwards. A few
minutes after ten the procession was
formed and led by the Avoca Cornet Band
proceeded to the beautiful grove on the
bank of the lake just north of the village
Here ample preparations had been made
for their reception. Soon the happy
throng were seated.
The Hon. w. L. Lincoln, President OF
the day, in few we'll timed remarks, had
order observed, and greeting Of welcome
and good will extended to all. Much
credit is due to Mr.. Lincoln for the dignity
and good taste exhibited in conductiI G
the exercises.
First was the prayer by the Rev. Mr..
Jameson, of Muscoda, who in a few well
worded sentences petitioned the Giver OF
all good for his blessing.
Samuel Parks, Esq, was then announ-
ced to read the Declaration of Independ
ence. We judge Mr.. Parks to be coed
reader, but pei haps not Of late being accus-
toned to read in the open air, or from
some other cause, he failed to make him
self heard by all.
Then came the grafton. NJ. j. Briggs,
Esq, of Dodgeville, was announced as the
orator. This, we are happy to say, was
free from much of the tedium and routin.
that often characterize 4th of July grafton i.
In clear voice and well articulated words
was the Grafton delivered. The orator
seemed conscious of the responsibilities
and necessities of the occasion, and while
reference was had to the familiar history
of the early part of our national life, yet
i. was done il such few and we'll chosen
words, interspersed with much new and
suggestive thought, that the audience wa,
charmed at hearing the old story of tn,
revolution retold. The orator took strong
and decisive issue upon many of the polit,
ical questions now before the people. Thi
could not fail of placing him in antago-
nism with large portion Of his audience.
while at the same time 1t aroused the Yea:
and admiration of those in sympathy witt,
his thought. Yet were the issues ap-
preached, canvassed, AID decided with So
much power and ability, with such stricl
regard to truth, humanity, and justice I,
Ill, that those who differed from the speak
er were bound to admire the moral cour-
age and wor tn Of the man out of respec
for the candor and honesty with which h,
reached the conclusions. All saw tn
nan grapple with the difficulties before
lin and decide them above the plane of
;elf>hness, bigotry, and superstition.
The Grafton finished, the assembly be-
took themselves to refreshments, many a
!, public table prepared for the occasion
others in groups or families coming pre-
pared and furnished for good time an'
Inner in the grove.
At one o'clock the tub. sack, and foo
races, each of which afforded incidents OF
amusement and mirth to the lockers on.
The spirited contest for the $40 priz,
between the first nine of Avoca base bal
club, and the first nine of the Richlan.
county club, best in five innings, attracted
considerable attention, and was enjoye,
by the lovers of the national game. Tn,
contest was quite close during the frs
few innings, but finally the Richland coun
ty boys proved too much for Avoca ski
and at the close Of the game were man,
counts ahead.
The horse racing closed the prize list
In this were two prizes, the first $40, sec
ond s., respectively, for the fastest run
ners in halt mile heat. The only thing
worthy of note, was. that the poorest run
ming horses won the race, thus proving
the old adage "the more haste the less
speed"
The two horses that would, had tn, y
run true, have won the race, when near
the coming out place, became unmanagcabl'
and dashed away through the crowd, dis
mounting their riders, who, fortunately,
escaped without serious injury.
Much might be said of fireworks and
dance in the evening, but refrain from
troubling you further. Suffice it to say
that the good people of Avoca conside,
the day and it's pleasures felicitous beyond
all days within their recollection.
A C,rr-ur or AvorA