The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-07-08
HOME MATTERS.
THE FOURTH IN OTTA WA
Afternoon and Evening.

ANcTHOOh A-NehlhSs
| After the exercises in the Court House yard
| reported on our ID page,) the crowds began to
accumulate on the circus grounds, the Foxriver
bridge and in the rear of the Clifton Hotel to
witness the balloon ascension, advertised to take
place from the circus grounds. These points
were crowded with people anxious TO see the
ascension, which was to have been the most III.
teresting feature Of the day. The rigging for
managing the air.ship was ready, the balloon on
the ground, and about half after one the infa-
ton began; but as in all cases of limitation,
just as il began to assume fine proportions and
about ready to start on her voyage, it burst at
the top and fell to the ground like rag Ahowl
of disgust, not unmingleG with rage, went up
from the crowd, and many hard words were spo-
ken against Mr.. Cunningham the manager and
the committee on sports. Ii is but just to both
to say that all acted in entire good faith in max
ing the arrangements. Mr.. Cunningham knew
full well that he had to make an ascension or
received no pay and he has received no pay,
which statement is sustained by Mr.. Bowman in
the following card:
The committee on sports, in justice to them
selves, the general committee, and the citizens
of Ottawa, desire to state that the balloon as
lsension was contracted for In the utmost good
faith, and that they are in no sense responsible
for the failure. To make assurance doubly sure,
it was mutually agreed between the parties that
in case of failure to make successful ascension
no money would be charged.
Chairman OF Committee on Sports.
The balloon after this failure was Immediately
repaired, and about o'clock another attempt at
an ascension was made. On this occasion, the
balloon was inflated, and rose some five or six
feet above ground, but for some reason Topped
over on to Its side, and the attempt to raise it
was again given up
Late in the afternoon, the Out-and-Outers,"
under the command of Mr.. Hewes, suddenly
swooped down upon the crowd from the foun-
dry regions. The display was not as large as
had been hoped but created an immense amount
Of fun, and some black eyes on indiscreet young
layericks from the rural suburbs who tried to
break up the procession. The best part OF this
procession, and which made up in quality what
it lacked in quantity, was Bartels' Ministries.
Bartels is famous for managing these shows, but
this year he eclipsed his former record, and gave
the people an entertainment which has never
been equalcd on our streets. The music was cX-
cellent, and the selections of songs first class.
After leaving the general procession the COM
pany gave entertainments in various places, for
two or three hours about town, gathering great
crowds around their wagon wherever they
stopped, convulsing them with laughter, and
keeping them in such good humor that they for
got all about the disappointment of the balloon
failure. AS was due, the company was every
where received with loud applause
There was no drawback to the exhibition Of
the Fire Department. which was viewed by large
crowds. The steamer used WIS the NJ. II. Swift,
Silsby Rotary Engine, which on this occasion
did homer to the manufacturers by doing some
Of the finest work on record. The first test was
two horizontal streams through $50 feet OF hose,
IL inch nozzle. The distance thrown was 80
feet The nozzle was then reduced to inch;
throw, 225I2 feet. Three streams were then
thrown through "a inch nozzle; distance 22lN
feet The steam pressure was ITO lbs Two per
pendcular streams were also thrown, which
made pretty sight They rose high above the
Court House; and by the sunshine upon the
spray formed lovely rainbow decoration for
themselves.
There is no lodging the fact that the fire works
were a grand fzzle. They were not at all in
proportion with the amount Of money spent for
them, being almost entirely made up of rockets
and Roman candles,-certainly these were all
that would 90 off, and everybody was disgusted.
1t is said that the rain Of Monday spoiled them,
which, for the committees sake we hope, is true.
One piece only redeemed them from total fail
ure the Centennial" Thousands of people had
gathered to witness them. The day closed with
balls at Wilis's and Turn Halls, which were well
attended and which lasted till far into the 5th