The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-07-08
The itil ut Mont0ur.

Saturday the d,dawncd unaUSpiciously
for the grand festival at Montour. The
grand salute which was to welcome the
first beams Of the day god dwindled into Il
few scattered muilied shots, because the
beams came not and the sun rise was Il
myth, a supposition to be determined by
Joint reference TO watches and almanacs,
rather doubtful and unsatisfactory
method in the demoraliZcd condition of
the watches along the line of the N. W.
r. r. The joy bells silent because no
Joy warned the hearts of the fcstal Mon
tourites. 1t had become evident for some
days preceding that the weather was de-
tcrmincd to make no exceptions in favor
of the glorious 4tE.
The Iowa river swollen by the recent
rains and practically impossible, showed
no signs of abating. Daily showers deep
cned the mud on all the throughfares
leading into the town. The grove had
become but little better than a swamp
and the race course in spite of immense
effort to keep it in condition, was a black,
rcpulsive mire pit.
A few warm sun rays on the 2nd, had
quickened the hopes of some enthusiastic
ones and seats and stands were erected
in the damp, foggy grove, but the follow
ing night with hours of heavy uncom-
promising rain, etfectually settled the
question of celebration according TO
programme. Nevertheless as the day
ithumpians with their provcrbial dash and
elan assumed the offensive and in most
grotesque and outre uniform, charged at
hard gallop through the streets executing
maneuvers not laid down in Scott or Har-
dee. The mud was unable to rcprcss the
zeal of the stout grangers, and through the
black sea on every line of approach, came
wallowing in carriages and stout lumber
wagons loaded with the chivalry of Tama
County. The Calithumpian orator dis
coursed humorous patriotism to con-
course of several hundred people. The
crowd in the streets grew more dense,
although many North Side people were
frightenedhome by the tidings that the
river was rapidly rising.
At II a. m. announcement was made
that portion of the exercises intended
20 be held at the grove, would be held at
the Congregational Church at 2 o'clock, p.
III. at which time large audience assem-
bled and listened in rapt attention for two
hours 10 varied exercises prepared for the
occasion.
The marked feature of the day was Rev.
J. w. Clinton's Grafton. With but little eff
fort at rhetorical display, avoiding the
usual style of spread eagle oratory, it was
nevertheless rich in clear trcnchant
thoughts and happy expressions, deliver
ed with easy grace sometimes rising into
passionate stirring appeals. The Orator
was particularly impressive in his call for
sympathy and fraternity with our brothers
of the Southern States, and related with
marked effect the story of the Centennial
at Bunker Hill with Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
fianked by the Palmetto at one end of the
platform and General w. 7. Sherman
with the Northern pine at the other.
The singing on the occasion by the
Montour Philharmonic Association was
very fine, some beautiful new patriotic
pieces were rendered in exceedingly ef-
fectiye style. Thanks are particularly
due Prof l. G. Willard for the skill and
care exercised in the preliminary training
of the singers. A poem was read by W.
b. Mumbruc and the exercises closed at
5 p. M, after over two hours OF most
pleased and attentive listening on the
part of the crowded audience. The bal
ance CT the day passed off pleasantly.
The dancers passed the closing hours in
a social hop at Union Hall, and the Mon
tourites SLEPT soundly in the happy con
seriousness that their celebration was in no
respect tlzzle.