The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-07-09
ST. LOUIS CELEBRATION.

The St. Louis papers all issued extra
sheets on Sunday morning, and were filled
up with accounts of the great 4th OF July
bridge celebration. An estimate of the
number of visitors present places the figure
at one hundred and fifty thousand. That Is
probably somewhat exaggerated, but then
there were no doubt a great many visitors in
the city. The exercises of the day all passed
Of in very satisfactory manner-everybody
seemed to be entirely satisfied with the
demonstration, and fully convinced that the
bridge was "big thing"-when supple
mented by the 4th OF July, a rcry "big
thing" But the display OF fireworks, which
was to have been the chief feature Of the &C.
casion. did not seem to lie altogether salts
factory. The Deaocrat Describes the display
As follows:
To fully appreciate the immensely OF the
multitudes Of people who hOcked last night
to witness the grand finale Of the great
bridge celebration. il were more than neces-
sary TO be present. From the hour Of sun
down until the time appointed for the pyrO-
technical display, every avenue leading to
the leyee was alive with human beings hur-
rying to the landing to secure an eligible
position from which to view the fireworks.
Long before the hour of 8 o'clock the dif-
ferent steamboats, that had advertised to
supply seats to spectators were black with
| an anxious crowd, They were like so many
human bee-hives. The ievee, as Tar as the
eve could reach, was filled with seethmg,
surging mass of men, women and children
and vehicles Of all descriptions. The house
tops were covered and windows filled IN the
same manner. Probably never before in the
history of the great city has such vast as
semblage been collected at one time on It's
Ieyee. The air was filled with the hum OF
human voices, the strains Of music and the
shrill whistles Of the steamers as they pre-
pared to take their positic-'s on the river.
At $50 O'Clock, everything being in readi-
ness, the signal gun was fired, and, as II by
magic. the atmosphere was filled with
shower of rockets Of every imaginable color,
Of the most delicate and beautiful tints and
hines forming an aerial scene and lighting
nm the heavens with myriads Of the most
Charming colors, causing an involuntary
hurst ri a,mrobation to burst from the thOus-
,n,Is 81 s,,ectators. At different portions oil
the bridge colored lights were kept burning
filing the air with q lurid, weird like light
which WAS intensely captivating. Many Of
the nieces displayed were full Of merit. The
rocket displays were intensely grand. Wash
;npton surrounded by boquets Of stars, OF a
Thousand variegated colors, was beautiful
beyond description. The fairy fountains,
fights of bombshells the diamond cross, the
lone star, the fire telegraph, pillars Of fire,
| and showers of grplites, which were excel
lent. and ELECTED much praise-wOrti,y COM
ment from the r....titude.
The Globe givs more e~'.'s'y" account
of the pyrotechnic display, i... concludes its
remarks as follows:
The foregoing comprises succinct state
ment OF the exhibition at the bridge as it
appeared to an impartial observer. From
tie beginning of this display to its close,
! tie presentation was all that could be de-
sired, and equaled the reasonable expecta-
tions of those who congregated to witness Il.
! The sudden termination Of that which had
! opened so auspiciously, left the people in a
condition of mind. that, without dealing in
antiquities, was not flattering to those en-
trlrte0 WIFI It's eNecutlon. 1nc stdtefuent
has been that it was gotten up at great ex-
pesse, and the conclusion Of those who as
srjned to be familiar with the outlay, SEEM
ed to be that it was vastly in excess Of any
entertainment that was afforded. To the
stranger in onr midst who had journeyed
hither to participate in the ceremonies incl
dent to the formal bridge inaugural, and
who had been edited by the elaborate efforts
of the morning. il appeared as If there was
cause worthy Of explanation for this effect |
To the citizen who gloried in the success of
the day, and who had contemplated the
finale in the evening as fitting sequel, it
was a source of modification that found ex-
preston in emphatic utterances. To all it
was disappointment unworthy the occa-
sion, and one calling for clear explsna-
ton, without circumlOcutiOn or attempt at
extenuation, unless caused by circumstances ]
which it was impossible to guaM against.
Evidently there is room for an investigation
committee.