The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-07-05

OUR ANNIVERSARY.
How the day was Cele-
brated in this city.
List of Incidents and acct
dents that took place.
Davenport and Moline also
have q Ce1ebratioD.

Yesterday was the one hundred and fifth
anniversary of the day on which this ma
ton began its existance as a separate and
independent state. The event was proper
" observed throughout the country, al
though the national enjoyment was tenn
pered by the fact that the chief executive
of the United States was suffering at the
national capitol, from wounds received at
the hands Of an assassin. His expected
death, from hour to hour during the day,
mellowed the enthusiasm which would
otherwise have characterized the day, and
caused the thoughtful citizen much con-
sideration. Even the reckless boy was
more or less impressed with the tact that
the nation had not every reason to rejoice
over the peace and prosperity with which
the country has been blessed, for this JOY
was shrouded in the probable death of the
president James A. Garfield.
IN ROCK ISLAND.
In this city no set programme was ar
ranged for the proper celebration of the
day, but it partook largely of a go as
you-please' in which the man with the in
ventive genius either had the most fun
or else succeeded in making the most noise.
The exhibitions of the great Coup show
during the day attracted many thousand
people to its three performances, while
the street parade at an early hour in the
morning formed feature of the day that
gave general satisfaction to the wary rural
visitors who visited Rock Island in large
numbers yesterday.
A number of private picnics occurred at
the various beautiful grounds about the
city, and general enjoyment was the hap
py conclusion of most of these gatherings.
Excursions on the river likewise formed
part of the days enjoyment, while the
usual class of celebrants quaffed libetions
to the Goddess of Liberty and Bacchus
until they became oblivious to all surround
ings-in short they cared not whether
school kept or gave holiday.
EXCURSIONS.
The average citizen of Rock Island is
not aware that a large number of strangers
were in the city yesterday, and they were
carried here by railroad and boats by
regular trains and special excursions.
These eXcursionists came and included
the old man celebrating his last 4th of
july the various stages of humanity down
to the infant in arms, who made up in
NOISE WIldI uG VI Sic fStthCO III dPPlC-
citation.
The C. r. l. & P brought in a great
many people on their morning trains
from east and west A few extra cars
were added to these morning trains in
order to accommodate the increased travel
to this city.
The r. l. s. p brought in a special
during the morning in addition to the
regular train which arrives in Rock Island
at an early hour. Both were well patron
lied.
The Mercer County put on two specials
for the benefit of those residing along the
line The first pulled up at the depot at
an early hour in the day well freighted
with humanity, and the second special dis
charged its human freight at the depot in
this city during the afternoon
The c. B. & @. brought in from 500 to
600 people on the morning train, and in
order to carry them, additional cars were
required.
The c. M. & ST. P. also carried its share
of travellers to this city yesterday.
The Viola made two trips from Anda-
lusia during the day, and barge and
brass band were employed to make the
trips agreeable and pleasant.
The regular packets landing dur
ing the day were filed with people who
came to this city to celebrate the aniver-
sity.
It is believed that fully $4,000 people
from other places made this city their head
quarters yesterday.