The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-07-12
THE FOURTH.
TheOldFolks atHome
A PLEASANT DAY.
A LARGE CROWD, AND
A JOYOUS TIME.

A LARGE CROWD, AND
A JOYOUS TIME.
The 107th anniversary of our nation
al independence was pretty generally
observed by the patriotic people of
Ravenns, but for most part in desul-
tory manner. Large numbers tiocked
to Cleveland, to witness the sham bat
tie to take place on the Northern Ohio
Fair Grounds, and the various other
catch-penny shams usually got up in
the great cities ON such occasions.
Some went to Warren, and the others
to the youngstown races, while the
various resorts in this vicinity were
well patronised by pleasure seekers.
|. The only regularly organised cele-
bration of the day here was the Picnic
Reunion of the old settlers Of Ravenna
who were residents of the township
| fifty or more years ago, held in the
splendid grove north of the Old Fair
Grounds, which was q grand and en-
joyable affair. The day opened bright
and pleasant, and at about ten O'Clock
! the old settlers began to arrive, bring
| ing well filled baskets, and by eleven
o'clock concoursc of people number
ing about three hundred were assem-
blsd in the grand cid temple, for no
purpose Of ostsntatious display, and to
witness no grand pageantry, but to
once more look each other in the face.
to grasp each other by the hand, and
recall fond memories Of departed days.
At half past eleven o'clock the as
sem blags was called to order by Bam'l
D. Harris, President of the Day, and
the proceedings were opened with
prayer by Elder L. M. Strsator. This
was followed by singing the old famil-
lar song, "Auid Lang Syne," the sing
ing being led by Mr.. Volney Curtiss.
Hon. 8. d. Norton then read the
Declaration of Independenceina in clear,
distinct and impressive manner, pre-
facing the reading with . short and
&ppIOpIl3Vo spo0Chs
The audience then Joined in singing
the old patriotic song, "The Star
Spangled Banner" led by Mr.. Curtiss.
DIR. A. A. Harris, the Historian OF
the Association, being called upon
made brief remarks in regard to the
olden times, and the circumstances out
of which grew the present meeting
He said that few friends, IN talking
the matter over, concluded upon an
nouneing this celebration, At FIRST
they did mot expect to find mOrs than
fifty Of the survivors OF those early
days, but upon casting about had OBJ
tanned O list Of about two hundred
names, to all Of whom cards Of invi'
tation had been issued to participate
in the festivities Of this occasion. The
Doctor concluded by reading the fol
lowing interesting letters from absent
ones in response to invitations to b<
present:
PHILADELPHIA, PA,
June 30th. 1888. !
To the Friends and Comrades of my child.
hoods days:
| / was glad when I read the an
nOuncemont Of your meeting for the
Fourth of July-glad, because knew
such reunion would yield much O1
social joy, and many happy memories
to your hearts.
Though L cannot personally partici.
pate with you in the pleasing services
of the occasion, desire to reach you
my hand and my heart with cordial
and fraternal greeting.
III / could be with you I should see
faces that have not seen for many
many long years, apd should feel the
pressure Of some hands / have not
touched since the days of our youth
and the change that time makes in
form and face, In expression and char.
acter, would be all the more percepti.
ble.
It must be q pleasure to you, though
accompanied by the memories Of some
sad scenes, to meet together to talk
over and to review the local incidsn nts
and progress of halfa century Of time
The Ravenna Of fifty years ago was
as wilderness compared with the
Ravenna of today. What the town
1
terial development aud prosperity, in
business and social conditions, in cul.
ture and refinement, are the realities
of progress that were unreckOned in
the aspirations, or among the possibil-
tiles of those early days.
To you, to us; who have reached
this middle-ceDtury point of fifty
1 years over what stretch of the worlds
. l nd hoN T.
travel in going back to that life period
in Ravenna in 1888. This space o.
years, SO short in retrospect, comprises
an epoch Of the most marlelous events
and progress in our national life, anC
holds the record of advance in the arts
and sciences and in utilitarian inven
tions, such as was never before known
lin any equal period of the worlds his
tory, And, in looking ack,-in trac
ing the current Of events and progress
in that locality, from the fifty year
ago until today, you will have tn,
: proud satisfaction of knowing tina
: Ravenna has not been left behind, bu
. has kept even step with the grea
worlds onward march.
Ravenna is favorably located an,
the march Of empire which ha
! taken its way westward for thes
3 many years has found Ravenna wei
, anchored right in the center of tn
stream, and the citizens have alway
been intelligent enough to appreciat
+ the situation, and quick to take hold
3 and to keep hold, Of every offered ad
vance and advantage.
Friends, and my early companions
Being one of those embraced in you
3 call, shall, in imagination at least, b