The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-07-07
OUR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Fine weAther-BIg Crowd-Immenso
Procession.


Procession.
sIDgIng-ReadIng OF the Declaration OF
c--AzuSIc--Orati0ns Etc.
Dance and Fireworks 1t Night.
The ever glorious Fourth was more glo-
rious this year than usual. The wet
weather had cleared up finely, and on the
eventful morning the woods and grove
were dry and the air full OF sunshine and
gentle zephyrs. Daylight was ushered
in by the explosion OF firearms and fire.
crackers, and revealed the stars and
stripes, little and big, flying in every d.
rection. The people soon began TO come
in from all parts OF the country, and by
nine o'clock the crowd was very large
and everything promised a successful day.
The procession was formed and started
about 10 =. m. and made fine appearance.
First came an advance guard OF rAga-
mullins on horseback, In all sorts Of
quaint costumes. Next, the martial band;
Odd Fellows In regAlia; Kni ghts Of
PythIas in uniform OF black clothes, belts
and drawn swords, marching in fine
style; Masonic lodge in regalla; Emporia
Fire department with engine and hook
and ladder truck; Emporia Cornet band;
President and orators Of the day; citizens
in carriages, wagons and on horseback.
We counted three hundred wagons in
line, and estimated the procession at two
miles in length. There were besides
scores OF wagons from the country not In
line, and there were not less than 800
wagons and other vehicles at the grove
after the procession arrived. Averaging
eight persons to each wagOn-and some
had twelYe-there were 4, 900 people came
In wagons, and 1000 In other ways, the
crowd numbered 5000 people, and was
the largest assembly on record In Lyon
county.
The exercises at the grove were well
managed by the president OF the day, Hon.
q. V. Eskrldge, and passed on smoothly
and satisfactorily. There had been .
large dancing platform erected in front,
and towards the south, Of the speakers
platform, and as the crowd gathered on
that side the speakers had TO talk against
the breeze. The choir sang Old Hundred,
Star Spangled Banner, and America, ac-
companied by the Cornet band, and the
singing and music were highly spoken
Of. The martial band gave some very
lively music. That immortal document,
the Declaration OF Independence, was
read by K. h. Ford, ESQ.,, in a very clear
and fOrcible manner. 1t Is seldom as well
read. The oratiOns by DIR. J. j. Wright
and L. b. Kellogg ESQ, were excellent,
and well delivered. 4. p. Bancroft made
brief address In regard to the Centenni-
al exhibition at Philadelphia. The poem
by Miss Augusta Slocum, was tine pro-
duction, and worthy OF the centennial IL
commemOrated. The exercises were lis
tened to throughout by large and deeply
interested Ru0isnce, while Thousands Of
others out OF hearlugs enjoyed them
selves in social intercourse.
Soon after noon, the baskets Wereun-
packed, and hundreds OF happy groups
spread around through the ample grove,
and put away COED things with an appe;
tite that would have done credit to W ash
ingnop's army at Valley Forge. The
relreshment stands did lively business.
We never saw a more social, happy
crowd, or one more orderly and well be.
haved in all respects. There was no dis
order OF any kind, no intoXication, and
not an occurrence to mar the pleasurable
festivities. When the dancing started, af-
ter dinner, the upper platform was 80
packed that it gave way in the center
but fortunately no one was injured. The
nremen, acting as police, attended to eV-
| cry body's comfort in the most courteous
manner, and there was no lack OF good
pure, cold waite r for every body.
At night the grove was Illuminated,
and the dancing platform put to full use
1t was very successful out of door
dance, and largely attended by both WIS.,
Itors from the country and our citizen /
There was also a successful dance al
Grange Hall, and more or less Trevor ks
in every part of town. The weather con
inued to be very pleasant all day and
evening, and midnight closed the most
pleasant and successful Fourth of July
celebration we have yet recorded here.
4 S-O-