The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-07-09
THE GtORIoUs FOURTH,
How it was Observed in Raxenna

f L d
A Large Crowd and a Pleasant and Inter.
esting Time.
The celebration of the 9Sth anniver-
sary of American Independence in
Ravenna was one of the most brilliant
affairs of the kind that ever took place
in the town. The streets were beau
dbuIly decorated with flags shrubbery
aud eYergreens and looked gay and
attractive. Brightly broke the morn
ing, and the day was ushered in amid
the ring of bells. the roar of cannon
and the strains of music.
AT an early hour the people came
pouring in from all directions and at
the hour for the commencement of the
regular exercises the public square
and the sidewalks in every direction
were literally packed with people.
For once the politicians forgot their
partizanism, the sectarians their creeds,
and all seemed to realize that they
were Amefican citizens anxious to
demonstrate that they held in CRATE
full remembrance the daring deeds of
the Revolutionary patriots who laid
the foundation of this great and pros
perous nation.
The regular exercises of the day
commenced at 10 o'clock in the fore
noon with grand parade of the Ar
tiIIery, Steam Fire Engine, hose carts,
Hand Engine and the Hook and Lad
der Company all in full uniform,
which, led by the RaVenna SiIverCOr-
net Band marched through the princi-
pal streets of town. This part of the
exercises closed by a ffiFemen's drill
on the public square. The procession
made an elegant appearance, and the
display throughout seemed to be en-
joyed and admired by all.
At IL o'clock a. m. sack race took
place in Bhichthree men, enyeloped
in large sacks, competed for a prize
of $500 by renning distance of about
twelve rods. The scene was amusing
and ludicrous in the extreme. The
prize was awarded to Charles Long.
The Mulligan Guards paraded at II
m. and went through their mirth pro-
voking performances. This company
consisted ofsome thirty young men
grotesquelydressed mounted on horse
back, Their get-up and evolutions
were funny beyond description and
a vast amount of side-split-
ting sport to all who witnessed them.
At l o'clock p. M. the following ex-
ercises took place in the park:
rsMuSie by, Band - fgrsFn kTntsl
Called TO order by President of the
Day, Col. Ro val Taylor @@Ass
German Song, by Ravenna Senger-
bund
Prayer by Chaplain, Geo. Darsie;
Song by Glee Club-Wandeyer's
Return;
j Reading Declaration, by Bradford
Song BY Glee CIub-star spangled
Grafton, by w. B. Thomas;
Song by Ravenna Sengerbund-l
Brothers, Let Us March-German.
Music by the Band. s1 aQ8es
These exercises were of very in
eresting character and all of those
who participated in them performed |
veil their several parts. s saalE
At O'clock the grand exercise of
climbing a creased pole some twenty |
eet in height with its bark pealed off,
or a prize of $500, took place upon
he public square. Numerous efforts
we're made to accomplish the feat but
10 one fully succeeded. The prize
vas awarded to the one who made the
most successful effort.
At half-past three O'Clock there was
walking race fora purse of $500
istanee one mile. There were five
The prize was awarded to
Warren Jones, who walked the dis
ance in eleven minutes and fifty-two
econds.
Next in order was a running race of
half mile at four o'clock for prize
fs5!00. There were SIX entries. The
rize was awarded to Brayden, of Al
ance.
A wheelbarrow race for a prize of
800 came off at 80 p. m. There
vere nine competitors for the prize.
he parties were blindfolded and in
lis condition ran distance of ten or
Welve rods to given point trundling
lch wheelbarrow.. The perform
nee was exciting and amusing, and &
srved to illustrrte the ups and downs '
f life.
The performances of the day closed
18th the firing of national salute at
inset Q A nfFFsf
Eks THE FIREWORKS
a the evening were the finest ever
iven in Ravenna, and the crowd in
,wn to witness them was even larger
ian that during the day. 1t is esti-
lated that not less than eight thou :
md people were present to witness
le grand display, The following are
le special pieces exhibited with the :
rder of the display: ,f.,sD ,
The Day We Celebrate; Cupid's
ountain.; Tree. of Glory; Chinese
artery ;SilverG Glory Y ankee Doodle;
Tasonic Emblem.;l Polka Dance;
Cross; Kaleidoscope Katy
id Polka Equestrian Statue ofWash-
lgton; "Good Night"
esides these was the usual number
f rockets, roman candles, mines, tor
edoes, SC. The only failure in this :
art of the programme was in the $
,nding up of the balloons, as annaun-
ID. Tllis was rendered impossible d
Y the wind and condition Of the at :
osphere. But the display was of
lch character that it could not fail 5
be pleasing to those who Witness
| it.
The number of people was larger by