River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-07-08
FOURTH OF JULY AT RIVER
FALLS.
IMMENSE CROWDS IN ATTEND
ANCE.
Splendid Time-Lots OF Fun-And
Every Body satisfied.

Every Body satisfied.
The celebration of the l04th ami
versary of American independence at
River Falls last Monday will be long
remembered by the people of this vii
lage. The morning dawned clear and
almost cloudless but a shower little
later in the dsy laid the dust but
ceased early enough SO that it did not
in any way prevent the full enjoyment
of the day. The dawn was ushered
in by the salute of artillery extempo-
rized for the occasion, accompanied
by volleys of the inevitable fire crack
ers.
Long before the hour fixed for
forming the procession the streets
were crowded with teams from the
country, so that it proved very diff
cult at first to organize the procession
at all, but as soon as the band wagon
reached the post office the order was
given TO fall in and by the untiring
efforts of the marshals, Messrs. Mar
shall, Burnett and Glass, order was
brought out of the chaos of teams and
people and the procession moved down
Main street to Cascade Avenue and
thence by way of the Normal School
grounds and Locust Street back to
Main street. The procession when
fully formed was nearly if not quite a
mile in length, the head of the process
sion reaching the grove long before
the rear end had left Main street.
Arrived at the grove the program
me previously announced was fully
carried out. The assemblage was
called to order by stirring piece
played by the Band after which Rev.
Atwater offered prayer. A selection
was then sung by the Glee Club. The
reading of the Declaration by Miss
| Nellie Vannatta won universal COM
mendation, it being done i'll a clean
| and distinct tone with appropriate
emphasis. After another piece OF
music the President of the day, j. ID.
| Putnam, Esq, introduced the orator.
Rev. A. S. Collins, who spoke briefly
but with rare good taste, abiding to
the occasion, the day celebrated and
giving in a succinct manner his views.
The Grafton elected commentator
from all who had the good fortune tc
| hear it. After the Grafton and music
| the dinner was announced and like all
picnic dinners in this place was OF
course enjoyed to the fullest extent.
After the dinner the amusements
commenced and afforded a great deal
of sport. The foot race, first in order
was sharply contested by several mus.
cular young solons of this vicinity.
| The sack race of course afforded
a fine chance for the young ath'
letes to show their skill in running
under difficulties, while the run after
the oily pig warmed up the ardent as
pirations after fat pork in a degree
heartily conducive to full apprecia'
ton of the luxury after it was obtain.
ed. The target practice by the far
| famed Mulligan Guards was simply
immense as reported to us while the
wheelbarrow race gave fine opportu.
nifty for the blindfolded drivers to eX.
hibit their bumps of location.
The races were well attended and
we believe proved satisfactory
There was some fine trotting by
Princeton Boy and Gray Eagle, the
| former winning the race in 2:36 and
1882. In the green races there was a
good display of speed both in running
and trotting. In the evening there
was a good display of fireworks though
from some cause not yet explained
the expectations of the committee
were not fully met.
As whole the day passed off very
pleasantly, and with much enjoyment
to all who partook in the pleasures OF
the day. There were inf ortunately
two or three accidents which marred
the sport for time, but none of them
proved serious except an injury re.
ceived by Mrs. Morse, of Ell Paso, who
was struck in the back by the wheels
of buggy drawn by a runaway horse.
1t is hoped no viewer that her injury
will not prove of permane mt nature.