The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-07-06
THE CELEBRATION A GRAND
SUCCESS.
10000 PEOPLE IN VANCOUVER.

The 4th Of July, 1882, will be memorable
in the annals of Vancouver as being the &C.
casion on which was witnessed the most sue
cessful celebration of the national day of in
dependence ever held in the Territory of
Washington. The proceedings throughout
were harmonious and according to the pro.
gramme laid out by the committees. The
attendance from abroad was very great, the
number of visitors being estimated from
eight to twelve thousand.
The day opened with very threatening
weather, the prospects being good for an all
day rain, and it was not until after 10 o'clock
that the occasional drizzles ceased. The
day remained cloudy and cool throughout,
and was on the whole all that could be
wished for. At o'clock the steamboats,
commenced to arrive, and all that came
were loaded to to their fullest capacity.
The Kellogg brought people from the Cow
litz, Kalama and st. Helens. The GazeHe
brought up full load from St. Helens. The
Wanzanillo left large share of her passen-
gers here. The Traveller brought large
number from up the river. The o. r. & N.
| Co.'S boats deposited their share of the hu-
man tide. The Washington came early from
Portland with all she could carry, and also
| the Salem. The Latona and Dew Drop
came up from Lewis River loaded to the
last notch. Last but not least came the
Lurline and Vancouver with two immense
barges, landing over 1900 people. In all
eleven steamboats, landed with excursionists.
The people from the country came with
teams in great numbers, even more so than
usual This vast throng filled the streets,
park and garrison grounds from early MORN
ing till late at night. Yet with all this vast
throng everything passed off peaceably and
quiet, and we have not heard of a single ar
rest made by the police during the day, and
there was not fight that we have heard Of
There was very little drunkenness, and at
nine o'clock P. NJ, every saloon in the city
was closed, and only an occasional straggler
seen on the streets A stranger dropping
suddenly down here would not have known
anything unusual had been going on during
the day.
The procession formed at the appointed
time, with the firemen, grand armymen.
council, the liberty car with it's load of beau.
tifully dressed little girls, the city band and
the military band, and marched to the Van
couver Depot grounds, where halt was
made, to witness the sham battle. The 2lst
Infantry soon marched upon the grounds.
A delay OF three quarters of an hour was
made, to allow the last steamboats, to ar
rive. and then the military evolutions com.
menced. The spectators were disposed in q
semi-circle around the field, their line being
nearly a half mile in length. The regimental
skirnish line was thrown out, the batteries
manned, and at signal the firing COM
menced. All the evolutions were gone
through with admirable precision, the de.
tails of which We do not have space to re-
late. Suffice it to say that even the rat
Ting of blank cartridges and the boom OF
the artillery was sufficient to awaken bat
tie memories with hundreds who had been
on the field where the battle was no sham.
The sham battle was the grand feature of
the day, and the people are loud in their
praises of the military authorities, who cor
daily entered into the spirit of our celehra-
ton, and made its grand success.
The procession returned to the city park,
where vast concourse of people were
gathered to witness the further exercises of
the day, which were carried out according
to the programme. Gen. Morrow delivered
a noble address, which was received with
great applause, and was the popular feature
of the park exercises. After the platform
exercises commenced the contests for prizes,
which were spirited, and productive of much
amusement. We do not have space to give
further details. which given in full would
take many columns, but we will set it down
that Vancouver had its celebration, the
like of which has never been seen here be.
fora