The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-07-06
Centennial!
GRAND Fourth or July
BIG CELEBRATION!
Magnificent Fireworks F.!
Thousands Of People in Toledo

Thousands of People in Toledo {!
The Centennial Fourth of July has at
last come and gone, and its record
and observance will mark an epoch in
the history Of our Country Prepare
tions were made all oyer the United
States, and in fact, by American Citizens
all over the world, for celebrating the
day in such manner as had never be-
fore been attempted. Amid all the grand
preparations Toledo was not behind any
OF her sister towns. In ''the merry month
of May" our citizens commenced making
arrangements for a grand celebration and
Mr.. c. G. Guilford and VIM. Reickhoff,
two gentlemen who always make sue
cess of what they undertake, were put
in charge Of the financial part of the pro-
gramme. Meetings were held and other
committees appointed and work COM
menced in earnest. The committee on
orator succeeded in procuring the SER
vices of Rev. J. w. Clinton The Com
mittee on Fireworks made fine selection
of articles and ordered them. The va
rious other committees did their part and
everything betokened grand success.
Just previous to the Fourth the weather
was very warm, especially on the Sd, and
Monday evening the wind and clouds
threatened a storm. 1t raired considera-
bly, Monday night. but Tuesday morning
the sun came out undoubtedly dried up
tie moisture SO it Mas pleasanter than if
there had been no rain. About midnight
the church bells commenced ringing out
the first century and ringing in the new
century of our national existence, and
an occasionableps peal ofstle cannon whose
heavy tones were echoed and re-echoed
back and forth produced fine accom-
paniment to the more mellow sound of
the bells.
The morning of the Fourth dawned
pleasantly, the rain having laid the dust
and cooled the atmosphere, and at an
early hour the people began pouring into
town, and kept coming from all direc-
tons till past noon. The services of the
Toledo Cornet Band had been engaged,
and about the usual time the exercises
commenced in the Court House Square
The President of the Day was Knight
Dexter; Chaplain, Rev. w. B. Frazell;
Reader of the Declaration, A. J. Whea
ton, and orator Rev. j. w. Clinton. They
all performed their several duties well.
The Grafton was especially good as we
knew it would be when we learned who
had been selected as orator. While, of
course, there were some exaggerations
lit would not be considered suitable for
the Fourth of July without more or less |
spread eagle about it) in it, there were
many fine thoughts and sentiments con- !
tanned in the address. In the afternoon |
Maj. T. S. Free read most interesting |
and entertaining History of the early |
days in Tama county. This history was
the work of Messrs T. s. Free and l.. B. |
Nelson, and was gotten entirely from the
mouths or pens of the old settlers them
selves. The two gentlemen named are
among our Oldest inhabitants, and the
assignment of this duty to them was a |
most suitable one
The balance Of the day was taken up
with dancing, Indian war dance, an after
noon concert by the Smith Bell Ringers,
&C., &c.
AS before stated large amount and
fine selection of Fire Works had been
purchased and it was intended to give a
grand show in the evening, but old Ma
ture, who had behaved herself very we'll
all day seemed to be determined to have
a hand in the exercises and accordingly
provided f1rst-class rain storm accompa-
MED by the glare of the lightning, which
would pale the most magnificent and elab-
crate pyrotechnics which man could get
up, while the reverberati0ns of thunder
which shook ''the everlasting hills"made
the roar of artillery seem tame.
An immense crowd had gathered on
High street in front of the stand erected
for the display of the Fireworks, and
one or two rockets had been sent up
when it became evident to the most
CdSudi OUScIfcI tA1t oAoSACSaoh vac sAS
better part of valor, and consequently
teams were soon rushing in all directions,
the people commenced to scatter, and the
committee began sending the Fireworks
under cover. This was not done minute
too soon for In a very short time the rain
began to descend in torrents. Indeed, we
don't remember ever having witnessed
such a flood. Stores, offices and dwell
ings were thrown open for the strangers
to 60 some place out of the storm, but
the poor horses or many of them had to
receive it all There seemed to be no let
up to the rain till after midnight when 1t
began to slacken somewhat, apparently
because the water had all run out. The
food carried everything before 1t sparing
neither bridges, culverts, or railroad
track. Everyone with whom we have
spoken say they never saw such storm.
The celebration was grand success.
The crowd was immense and the good
order everywhere was remarkable. All
seemed to be intent on having q good
time and enjoying themselves ip ration
al quiet manner We were on the streets
most of the Gay and failed to see drunk
en- man, and did not hear Of single fight
or quarrel the whole day long. Taking
all together the Centennial Fourth OF July
will long be remembered by those who
were in Toledo as a day Of enjoyment ]