Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-10

S~s's AAAs Au
Lieut.. and Tom. B. Stafford Cd Lieut..
The company is now full, many of the
members having had experience on
the field of battle. Keep up your or
ganization boys.
The patrons Of the Opera House
will be pleased to learn that Conn
Lewis has adopted system Of water
works through that concern which
makes it almost fire proof with any
sort of care. Every part Of the build.
ing is supplied with water with hose
already attached, SO that there is moth.
ing to do but turn on the water.
the FOURTH.
The Fourth of July in Otturnwa il
always celebrated in spirit worthy
the great national holiday, and wor
thy the enterprising people of the
boss town Of the State, and this the
third Fourth of the second century Of
American Independence, of course
was no exception to the general rule
The morning was ushered in by {
salvo of artillery, and the business
houses and many residences were
decorated with national flags, bott
large and small. The clouds of thu
early morning soon cleared away and
left the skies clear with a cool brac
ing air which had a tendency to in
duce people to leave dull care aside
and to partake of the festivities usu
al on such occasions. 1t is q daty in.
cumbent upon every patriotic either
to celebrate the Fourth of July some
way and no matter how much fiz;
and fuss, noise and chatter is necessa'
ry all patriotic towns take hand
The people in the country lay aside
their business and expect good time
in town, town people expect it, ir
fact verybody prepare themselves tc
give the bird high old boost on tht
Fourth of July.
Yesterday, we had celebration ir
detail much like ordinary cclebra
tions, except in this instance, we had
really, two celebrations, one under
the auspices of the Reform Club and
the other under the direction Of the
Sheridan Guards and Emmett Asso-
citation.
The procession was formed at 10
o'clock on Court street under the
command of Gen. j. NJ. Hedrick, assis-
ted, by DR.. Stewart and e. b. Rounds.
was very creditable in arrange
ment and the number engaging in it.
The Ottumwa Cornet Band, hand
somely uniformed, under the leader
ship of Carl Schwabkey, led the pro-
cession and perhaps never look
ed better than they did yester-
day, and certainly never earned more
praise by discoursing the most eN-
quisite music.
They were followed by the mem.
bers of the Malta Commandery in the
beautiful and tasty uniform Of that
order, aud the Sir Knights in their
gay equipage were the feature of the
procession and the observed of all
observers.
The next feature of the procession
were the Sheridan Guards and the
Ottumwa Guards, with their martial
bands, flags flying and the bright
muskets glittering in the sunshine
never presented a better appearance
They were followed by a long line
of beautiful little girls, handsomely
dressed, who with their bright and
happy faces were perfectly lovely il
their innocence and enthusiasm.
The boys, each was a captain BY
himself and commanded all the rest
each one happy with his wooden mus
ket and paper cap as they marched
up the hill and then marched dowr
again.
DIR. Lathrop always did have 9
high appreciation of nature and hi
King of the Cannibal Islands woule
have taken high rank on his native
heath could the King have been trans
ported in his carriage of state with al
its surroundings. The Doctors con
ception was happy, and if history il
correct quite appropriate.
Then came wagons representing
each of the breweries of the city
decorated with evergreens, beer kegs
bottles, covered and carpeted will
the flags of all nations. The wagon
looked very pleasant and patriotic
and added much to the appearance o
the procession.
There was also George Nelson
barber shop on wheels completel
rugged and running in full blast, til
same as at home, followed by carria
ges, wagons and citizens on foot VIII
lined the sidewalks on both sides Q
the street for half mile or more.
| On arrival at Birch street the Sher
idan Guards and Emmett Association
left the procession for Blake's Grow
where stand had been erected an,
where their celebration was held
They had large platform for dane
ing, swings, croquet grounds and al
most every thing else necessary t
pass the time agreeably and as be
comes people on the Fourth of July
Capt. Jaques read the declaration
and +. A. Robinson delivered an ors
ton which is spoken of as very cred
table effort, indeed, and which pleas
ed the audience very much.
The military had sham battle,
competitive drill, refreshments an
plenty of4un.
| At Wards Grove after the usua
formal exercises were over II. j. Ser
vice read the declaration and tn
Hon. j. w. Dixon delivered an ora
ton Of about an hours length whicl
it is said was very fine speech. Mr.
d. is very entertaining speaker ant
enlisted the closest attention from tn
audience.
After the dinner hour was over tn,
hours between that and evening wa
passed with general good time
Several short speeches being inter