The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-07-10
THE FOURTH.
As Celebrated in ottawa.
CHAPTER !


The FOURTH should fall every year on Sun
day. if the calendar makers would test the power
of Americans to enthuse periodically. Three
days is a long time to keep up ".he feeling;''
but three days seemed none too long in 1880
The celebration, therefore, really began on Sat.
urday night, when enthusiastic young men squan-
dered their substance on the riotous cracker,
keeping "up town" in an uproar until late hour.
Fourth of July eve certainly has wonderful
power of bringing to the surface the boy in the
man who least away childish thought on the
appearance of the first moustache.
CHAPTER II.
On Sunday the boy-the genuine American
boy, who lives only in to.day,-came to the sur
face in numerous volumes. The day should
have been quiet one, but from all parts of the
city came the uproar OF explosives. The day,
the surroundings, all the prophecies, were sunk
en- in the inability Of the boys to wait "A hours.
The boy is the true philosopher, and firmly be-
lieves and lives the doctrine, that there is no to-
morrow.
CHAPTER III.
In an unguarded moment the authorities Of
several of our churches gave permission TO have
the bells rung at daylight of the 5th. If they had
TO begin his labors at that unchristan hour, they
were speedily disappointed in the face of the fact
that hardly had the ''rosy fingered Eos" tipped
the eastern horizon than the bells began their
clangor And what is more, they kept it up. The
Congregational church bell was rung for full
half hour without single 'let up" and when at
length the last clang died away, another began
in another part of the city. No doubt it was pa
tristc-yery. The man in bed, however had diff
ferent ideas Anon the cannon doomed, aud the
lazy man arose rejoicing in the one happy thought
that the nation has but one birthday to usher in
CHAPTER ".
The exceeding heavy rain of the night before
was not an encouraging omen for a "big day"
but with Monday morning came brilliant sun
and dry streets. more perfect day could not
have been made. Everything was ready. Many
Of our stores had made attempts at decoration;
even Ae old Court House was not forgotten, q
wreath of evergreen and flowers extending across
its front.
About 10 O'Clock Marshal Ruger g. W. and
his aids, S. R. Blanchard, Al. Schoeh and Sumner
Cullen, began to fly about getting their prsces.
sion into order. The crowd at this time filed
the streets everywhere, and was increasing each
minute. lue rain Hau eNlututly uTlNeh the lhus
and lassies from the picnic grounds of the eoun-
try TO the city, and they came in in hundreds
probably 5000 strangers being in the city during
the day.
After deal Of hard work, the procession was
formed, as follows:
The police
The orator, F. y. Lewis; reader Of declaration,
DR.. Hobert; president of the day, A. Lyuch, Esq,
and States Attorney Mayo in carriage.
Bach's band.
Ottawa guards, Capt. Smith commanding.
Ottawa cadets, Lieut.. Petit.
Streator cadets, Capt. Keller.
Ottawa Lodge, Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Fitzgerald's band.
Ottawa Fire Department-ths men in full uni
form, steamer IN. II. Swift" hose and pipe
: men, hose carriage, steamer CITY Of Ottawa"
hook and ladder truck. All the machinery was
very handsomely decorated
The procession, though not a long one, was
very attractive and pretty.