The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-07-09

The Fourth Of July, 1874, has come and
gone, and is now numbered with the past.
About o'clock in the morning our citi-
zens were awakened by the ringing of
bells and the firing of cannon. The ex-
plosion Of small fire arms, fire-crackers,
&C., was kept up at intervals during the
balance Of the night.
By daylight people from the country
began coming in town, and by 10 o'clock
a large number had arrived. Great
preparations had been made previously
by our citizens in the way Of arranging
seats constructing stands, booths, &C., in
the Court House Square.
Between 10 and II o'clock the procession
was formed headed by the Teledo Cornet
| Band, and after traversing the principal
streets they entered the Square where the
| celebration took place.
| The large assembly was called to order
| by the President of the Day, Hon. J. S.
| Townsend. After music by the Band Rev.
+. NJ. Robertson, Chaplain, made short
prayer. This was followed by music,
after which j. w. Willett read in good
style that time honored document, the
Declaration of Independence. After music
| again, Hon. j. B. Grinnell was introduced
as the Orator of the Day. He proceeded to
give us sort of rambling speech which
was quite interesting throughout and at
times amusing. He said he hardly knew
what to say, as he did not want to talk
about politics, nor religion nor creeds nor
| anything of the kind, but we think he sue
ceeded in giving quite an interesting ora
ton.
After dinner large crowd Of people as
sembled on the grand stand, and quite a
number were under it when it suddenly
came down, causing quite an excitement,
but happily no one was seriously injured.
A young son Of Mr.. Robert Melick was
hurt, also young lady whose name we
did not learn.
About O'Clock the fantasies or Cal
thumpians came out, causing much mer
riment. After parading the streets some
time they came up to the stand in the
square where the Grafton was delivered
After the Grafton their band discoursed
some very fne(?) music. Their exercises
passed off very well, and they were quite
al attractive and amusing feature of the
celebration though we think the burles-
quing of an occurrence that took place in
our town recently was uncalled for and
would have been just as well had it been
omitted. But the boys deserve great
credit for the originality and gro
tcsqueness of their uniforms and conduct
ed themselves in very gentlemanly and
orderly manner.
The afternoon was principally spent in
eating ice cream drinking lemonade and
soda water, dancing at the several places
provided for the occasion, &c, &. During
southwest corner of the square for dis
playing the fireworks.
In the evening the exhibition Of the fire.
works commenced by sending up a large
balloon which rose grandly up and was
gently carried Otto the northeast, when
It continued growing smaller and smaller,
and finally passed entirely out Of sight.
Rockets, Roman candles, Thunder wheels,
and various other articles in that line
engaged the attention of those present
till about IL o'clock, and all seemed
pleased with the show that was made.
There was quite large number of
Rockets and some of the most beautiful
ones we ever saw.
The celebration was success. There
were probably not quite as many people
here as some might have expected, but
considering the extreme heat Of the day
and the number Of celebrations in various
parts Of the county, we think we had our
share.
We have been shown the plan of the
limited Rrat hron (thurcl, now in, no,,rCa ,f