Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-07-05
THE FOURTH.

IT'S OBSERVANCE IN Observation-Disclosures AND
FIRE WORKS PASDEM1NIUM AND FUN-PRoBABLY
FATAL AccIDEHT-THE FIRE RECOhD-LNcuR'
sICNs, DC.
The 4th passed of in Wilmington very much af-
ter the fashion OF former years. There was very
general observance of the day, and the city were
the CAV holiday attire. The stores were mostly |
closed though some kept open all day, flags |
we're displayed from the public buildings, from
the shipping in the river and from many private |
houses in the city. No public celebration took |
place but every passed away the hot, anltry |
hours according to the bent OF their OWE lncllna-
tons.
The general disposition was to get away from |
| the pandemoni1m Of noise incident to the 4th, |
and the various excursions were well patronlled |
Besides these many private picnic parties were
held in numerous popular places, and 1t may be
estimated, without extravaganza, that almost
| one half the permanent Residents OF the city
| were out of town at some period OF the day
Still the streets seemed well filled, to be ac
/ counted form part by the presence here oil e&-
| cursionists here from other cities and towns.
The popular excursions OF the day were to
| Pennsgroye and over the W. Il W. H. Il. to its
| pic pic grounds at Mount Cuba Two steamers
| the Ariel and FdlcOn-made frequent trips
| across the river and Pennsgrove was almost full
| to eifowing with Wilmingtonians. The day
was quietly and pleasantly spent there so far n
we can learn the fate of Sweeney and Capt Hea-
| cock evidently being remembered by the not
ously disposed.
AZ Mount Cuba a temperance jubilee was held
and it is thought that nearly two thousand peo-
pie were present during the day. The exercises
were opened with prayer by Isaac L. Crouch,
John Guthrie read the declaration of Independ-
ence. and Rev. Fielder Israel made aetrong tom
| perance appeal. About the time he concluded
| a heavy ram storm came up and forced the null
| titude into the pavilion but many women aud
| children were dreuched, and cnnolne wore
| dropping Appearance, like the hopes of some
OF the party Ia the afternoon and evening the
pavilion was gwen up 10 dancing, and many
/ "tripped the toe to the tune of 20 cents each.
, | This was not down in the bills, and the extra
| charge produced no little indignation.
| An incident lthy Of note occurred carly in
the afternoon. The heavy rain fell just before
the 27 train WAS due, moving east. This un-
: expected termination to the exercises, although
only temporary, filed hundreds with desire TO
return to the city, and as the tram drew up to
tue station a general rush was made Tor the carr
b | For while the greatest confusion Tegued on all
j. sides. About three car loads OF excursionistr
were brought down from the upper end of the
y | road. who we're anxious to get out Of the carr,
|, | but the platforms were ali full, and for some
| moments progress WAS impossible either way.
, | Finally order was restored, and after a twenty
i minutes halt the train came ON to the winning
+ | ton depot. No accidents occurred at Mt Cuba,
T. although a continual bang bang, OF fireworks
y | was keI up during the day.
, | Quiet prevailed. 81 far as We know al all the
+, pen cg except KureIdale. Here beer wa. pen-
Al tcou-ly iudng,d IN. aud under the influence OF
4 irehAled BRAN, many disturbances occurred.
At one time the fight became general, aud tho
y utmost eNcrtiuu- OF the police were required t'
y lleIl 1t. Oue ruftian Wildly handled baci
\, ack aud several heads were bleeding under tAt
weight OF it- blows.
y Inside the city the customary saturnalia OF fire
. works prevailed, So early as shutdown, on THURS
F. day evening, the dircharge of squibs was begun
:" and by midnight the noise and confusion haI
Nd | increased to a perfect pAndemonium. Seeker
| 81 4Iap1,lpaalv nj thpF ppurles 1
~ consequence, aud everywhere on the street, yes
IA. teIday morning. we could hear complaints of th'
BE- noise 30 that it must have been general through
20 out the city. 1t did not afae III the least during
> the day but everywheTe-in all the streets, an,
lanes, ard alleys-a continual explosion OF fire
works and guns aud pistols rent the air and tor
. tured the nerves OF hundreds OF our people
io Much Indignation Is felt that this state Of thing
Is permitted IN the city, and many strangers TO
f. marked Ia our hearing that 1t was "a tuleratiul
which IA ridiculous as annoying.
Accidents do not seem to have been 50 freqnen
as IN in other years, but We might record many
l'r One m particular, happened early yesterda
70 | morning, which shrOuded at least one family
ne. gloom, and settled pail over hearts which la
he a right to rejoice III tue recurrence OF our nj
ted tiuual holiday. IL also oppressed the author
he the accident aud during the remainder OF til
IN. day lie did not quit lis home, but sat seeullngl
rnt wrapped IN thoughtful remorse at the suteru
~ he had wrought. We allude to the explosion
the small cannon IN IEtnali street, and the pr,
baby fatal wounding of little Charlton Ruth,
3m tuui year old son oil John L. Rlth, residing
6l2 Washington street.
Tie little feilOw-a bright ch'ld-had gor
down to his grandmOtherr, at 9th aud Iatna
we believe, remarking that he would have
mice time. and while standing tho sire
corner cannon exploded about half Eqna
distant in THtnall street, fragment strlkiI
him IN the head, producnga cumminuted fra
g, | ture of the skull, from which seven pieces
~ bone were extracted. His physician has b.
little hope of his recovery, though he was st
living this morning. Ibe brain was oozlI
through the fracture, yesterday, before IL
wound was dressed, and portion of the bra
substance was lost. II he should die, would II
fun OF all those who INDUCED il such sport col
pensate for hls death This is practical que
m tion and We submit it to those within who
10 power it is to prevent the occasion Of such a
cdents.
Charles Brotten, a Young man II years Of az
residing at Sl3 Orange street, had the end Of
finger blown OIL by the premature discharge
a navy revolver.
lC- Chas Neahr, residing at 4l2 Tatnall street hi
Luo blown through the palm of his hand
the premature discharge OF pistol lie was loa
ing tearing away the flesh and tenluus al
making painful wound, DR.. West rendered Il
neceHsary assistance.
William Meally, residing in Justi4on street
company with a friend, and both lame-n
"A | walking with one crutch and the other with tv
uS went down on Tatnall street wharf about
o'clock, yesterday morning, with nuske to 4
a salute In some manner uuaCcJuutable, NJ
ley was shot in the thigh with the wad, aud
N, very ugly wound inflicted 1t was i'll his la
leg, too.
Harry Belt, residing at 80 Maryland Ayen,
had the two last fingers and part OF tho palm
M the hand blown off by the premature explosi
OF pistol.
A very singular accident bsfel son of III,
ard Griffith, residing at 10Th aud Tatuall stree
The little fellow, about 10 years OF age,
walking leisurely along the street, and in pa
u ing 9Th and Orange quantity Of powder Ii
upon the tiro-ing WAS exploded by sOms b0
burning his fare pretty badly, The boys
been trying to igaite the powder with crack
,,ES. for some time and succeeded just as lie v
passing.
There ere also many other accidents which
lclts cured, such burned hands and eyes.
IS o. which we have Heard Of, probably 20 in numl
but the names We could not obtain, and can
classify for this reRsun The above are all
serious ones which have come to our knowled
The fire record is not small one, although
very great damage done The hTemen v
very prompt and efficient 10 responding to
alarms and much credit il due all the compal
AZ for the uuseiah manner in which they aacriti