The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-07-06
THE FOURTH IN OTTAWA.
A FINE DAY. MANY ATTRACTIONS AND
BIG CROWD.
Parade. Big Run and Squirt Of the Fire Depart
ment-Races at the Fair Grounds-Picnic in
Hoes's Grove-Show at the Opera House
Grand Ball In the Evening at Willis's.

that our citizens ordinarily so full of patriotism,
are SO completely filled up with the article at
this time of the year that they are liable to sleep
over before the great and glorious day arrives on
which they are licensed to pour out their enthu-
siasm freely and according to the recognized GUS
tom of the country. Such was apparently the
case with some on the evening of the 3D. and al
though the mayor had issued his mandate that
the ordinance prohibiting the discharge OF fire.
arms, hre-crackers, or other explosive material
would be strictly enforced, bushels of crackers
were exploded in the streets, greatly to the IT.
ritation and annoyance of his honor and the de-
light of the small boys.
The morning of the 4th dawned as had the pre-
vious one, cloudy and threatening. The DAY was
ushered in with the roar of cannon, the ral'le o'
musketry, the ringing of bells and the uncon-
strained use of the many internal noise-produc-
ing instruments now inflicted upon the Ameri-
can people nv the ingenious mind of the heather
Chinee. As the morning advanced the sur oi
preparation for the proper observance OF lhe day
began The Silver Cornet Band conSregated at
the court house at an early hour and dlscourseu
soul.entrancing strains, previous to accompany
ing the Red Ribbon Club to La Sale to take part
in the temperance celebration there.
The first thing on the programme of the day
was the display parade of our efficient and well
equipped fire department, in which Ottawa pco-
pie take great and just pride, for better one
hardly exists in the volunteer departments OF
the country At about o'clock A. NJ. the de
partmcnt was called together by the tap OF the
bell, formed at the city hall and marched through
In fo1l st
Bach's 18th Battalion Band; I'd, "Dauntless"
Hook and Ladder Company, with truck bcaliti-
fully decked with flowers and evergreens under
command of Sidney X. Blanchard, LIST Asst; Sd,
engine "City of ottawa" handsomely decorated
as was all of the apparatus in fact; 4th, "undne'
Hose Company No. | with hose; 5th engine
IN H. Swift" in holiday attire; 9th, Hose Com
pany No. =, with cart, and last, but not least
THAT big hose cart" The men looked fine in
their bright new uniforms and the different COM
panes appeared to be well drilled and ofilcered
and altogether made very imposing and attrac-
tive display to the large crowds which had con-
pregated upon the streets to view them. After
marching through the principal streets, the de-
partment halted on Columbus street near the
Clifton, where the biz run of the hose company
was to take place A large crowd assembled 10 VIII
ness this feat and were kept waiting short time
to allow the company to don their new running
costume (Which by the way, is very neat and
appropriate and get ready for the start. The
distance was loo feet and run out 300 feet OF
hose, starting from Main ST., which the boys ac-
complshed in the incredible time Of 1907, amid
the cheers of the people who thronged the street,
ba dor nj he moved
at the northeast corner of Washington Park,
where another shorter run made with the
hose and a connection to the an ii. Swift
which was set and steamed up at the play. The
distance was made, hose run out and water start
ed in an incredibly short space of time, Che eX-
act time was not noted,) which was loudly
cheered by the spectators After testing the ca
pacity of the steamer for throwing water for a
while the companies returned to the city hall
and deposited the machinery in the engine house
and dispersed, feeling that they had entertained
the people for the first half of the day very salts
factorily.
Bach's 18th Battalion Band then marched to
Hoes's Grove, where everything had been put in
readiness for their picnic and celebration, which
began at once and continued until about in the
passed off in a very quiet and orderly manner
and was financially a success. MIR. Bach having
charge of the athletic sports they were conducted
to the entire satisfaction of all, the whole
affair in fact, and most enjoyable afternoon was
spent by those who participated in this picnic.
After dinner 'busses and carriages commenced
running to the fair ground carrying people to
the races, which were TO begin at O'Clock.
large crowd was assembled on the ground at the
time set for the races, estimated by some ut near
ly II thousand people, showing conclusvely that
an affair of this kind properly conducted and adj
vcrtsed will draw rs good an attendance at OF
tawa as in other towns. The races opened by a
free for all trot mile heats, best3 in in which +.
m. "Dolly Holiness" owned by II. Holmes, b. IN.
"Rebecca c." by j. f. Cary, b. g. Pat Reilly
by Madison, b. e. Blackbird," by Dick Farms
worth, took part. Five heats were trotted, OF
which Dolly took the first, Blackbrd the second,
Rebecca c. the third, the fourth being given to
Blackbird on account Of foul by the driver OF
Rebecca, (who came in ahead in taking the pc
siton OF Dolly in the last half of the heat. The
decision of the judges in this matter meeting, we
think, the appreciation of nearly all present, al
though considerable feeling was manifested 10y
those Interested The 9TH heat and the race was
also won by "Blackbird," contrary to the eX.
pectations of many. The race in all respects was
good one and holly contested by the several
horses.
The next match was for green horses, best 5 in
), mile heats, in which the following horses APP
peared: s. e. Dutch Billy" by Matt White, b
Z. Blacksmith" by Tom McDermott, b. IN
"Jennie," by Pete Wyman, e. g. "Dick" by II.
Holmes and "Aleck," by unknown. In this
trot the first heat was taken by Jennie second
and third by Dutch Billy, who, at this stage, wa.
the favorte in the bets. Blacksmith, who had
up to this time been of but little consequence in
the race came in first in the 4th heat amid the
cheers of the crow! and 10 the great delight o.
Genfleman Tom his driver. The racn was eNentm