The Leavenworth weekly times., 1876-07-13
THE FOURTH IN OTTAWA COUNTY
MINNEAPOLIS, OTTAWA COUNTY.
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MLSSEAPoLIS, OTTAWA COUNTY,
Kansas, July 5, 1876
EDITOR TINES: In response to an invita-
tiou, issued last winter, by the good people
OF the beautiful town Of Minneapolis. it
was my good fortune to be present at reg
ular old fashioned Fourth of July celebrs-
tion. The arrangements were under the
control of the Masonic and Odd Fellows
Lodges, assisted by the Patrons of Hus-
bandry, and~ere most completein all their
parts
Judging from appearances, As you pas
from Solomon City up this unsurpassed
valley of the stream by tha, name, you
would wonder where people enough to
make anything like good turn out" could
be found, a large part of the land be-
tween these two towns being held by rail-
road companies and Others, who are not
improving them but beyond Minneapolis
the land is not only nearly all taken up,
but occupied by actual settlers. At 10 A.
NJ, there were present in town and in the
grove not less than 5000 people, and when
the procession was formed i: was nearly
two miles long, headed by brass band OF
10 pieces, which WAS organized only tv o
mouths ago, under the instruction and Lead
ership of Mr.. Ware, who deserves much
credit for the efficiency o. his band next
the Masonic and Odd Fellows iodyer,
Daughters OF Rebekah, each BODY being
distinguished by beautiful banners. Then
followed the feature" OF the procession, a
large car drawn bv eight horses, upon which
was the Goddess Of Liberty, surrounded by
thirteen little girls, representing the origi-
nal thirteen States; then followed the L. of
II. IN wagons, carriages, buggies and on
horseback.
Upon arriving at the grove, the vast as
sem biage was called 10 order by MIR. X T..
Baldwin, President of the day, who, in n
neat speech Of about 10 minutes, said more
than many speskers would in three times
that length OF lime.
After prayer by Rev. Mr. Sidd, and va
riOus pieces Of music, vocal and instrumen-
tai, the Declaration of Independence was
read by Mr.. I. b. Ellison.
The President then introduced the orator
of the day,
HON. JOHN MARTIN,
OF Topeka, who held the entire assemblage
for one hour, with one of the most sensible,
logical and paerioiic addresses it has ever
been my lot to listen to. 1t was not so
much Of spread eagle STYLE" as one gen
orally hears upon sucn occasions, but full OF
sound argument, logic and advice
1t was we'll received, "a evinced by
written request, signed by many of the best
Of h.. L.. 4 L
q copy for publication, which l hope he
will do.
DINNER
being then announced, it was q sight not
aoon To be forgotten. Notwithstanding
5000 people had eaten all they could, there
certainly was enough left in those seeming
ly iHexhaustable baskets, to have fed 5000
more.
After dinner, the President introduced
HON. JOHN NJ. PRICE,
Of Atchison, who had been invited to speak
in b. half of the "Orders," and in a speech
OF about As minutes, acquitted himself ex-
ceedingly we'll. After this was public
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
of Minneapolis Lodge, No. 81, l. o o. +.
The stand was cleared, and the Lodge form
ed thereupon. The installation ceremonies
were conducted by John NJ. Price, Grand
Master, assisted by John Martin, Past
Grand Master; Samuel F. Burdett, Grand
Secretary and - Past Grand of NJ ASA
and several other distinguished
members of the Order. After which the
multitude returned to town, many going
directly to their homes, some having come
~ to - miles In the evening sociables
and dancing were the order. Every one
seemed to be filled to overilowing with |
pleasure, and the Centennial Fourth in
Minneapolis will not soon be forgotten by
any who participated SPECTATOR.