The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-06-08
SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
The Fiftieth Anniversary Of IOwa's
Settlement COmmemOrated ut
Burlington.
The City Gay with Bunting and Flowers
Speeches, Professions and Fireworks.

The celebration in commenoration OF the
fftieth anniversary OF the settlement or
Iowa, which took place in Burlington on the
LIST inst, proved to be one Of the greatest
events of this kind which ever occurred in
the West The greatest enthusiasm pre-
vailed, and the entire population of the city
and the surrounding country, and the many
thousands Of guests from all parts OF the
State. including even the renotest, seemed
TO unite in the one aim TO make the day
successful one. The city, says Burlington
dispatch. woke up decorated in the most
gorgeous manner. The business part OF
town was literally covered with the national
colors and ornaments Of verdure. large
number of banners were hung across the
streets bearing Inscriptions suggestive or
incidents of the past fifty years
1t was particularly noticeable that not
merely the business houses and public build
ings showed their decorations, but that the
residence part Of the city was equally
adorned The number of strangers Is esti-
mated to have exceeded ~, co., All the rail-
roads had issued half-fa tickets, and the
number OF people present doubt essly ex-
ceeded that present at the great centennial
celebration in 1915
The exercises were opened with free-air
concerts from several of tho church steeples,
upon which followed a parade Of the fire
Department and q subsequent exhibition
of the water works OF the city. Bands
played at all the prominent places in the
city during the forenoon, which was mos ly
spent in sightseeing and the visiting OF
friends, etc.
The great parade Of the day took place at
/ o'clock, and proved one of the most nota-
BILE features. The march began after nifty
guns had been fired in indication OF the
nftieth occurrence of the day, and moved
through the principal streets to the public
park.
The recession was about mile in length,
and almost every single society had their
own music corps.
Arrived at the park, where an immense
crowd had already gathered, the procession
divided around three speakers stands which
had been erected and very tastefully orna-
mented and the exercises then took place.
The Hon. A @. Dodge, son of Henry Dodge,
the first Governor of Visions Territory,
and first Senator from the State OF Iowa TO
the United st ties Senate, one of the Oldest
inhabitants of the State, In the name of the
city of Burlington addressed the visitors,
and extended Co them warm and hearty
welcome, which was received with enthusi-
astic applause.
The orator of the day, the Hon John II.
Craig of Keokuk, Iowa, was then introduced
and delivered a mastery address, holding his
hearers intensely interested for more than
two hours.
Jones' the colleague of Gen Dodge in the
United States Senate when the State was
first admitted, and by Prof. Parwin, of Iowa
City, who entertained the audience with
"reminiscences of the olden times
The following speakers also delivered
ora.ions The Hon Wesley G. Hobbs, Thomas
Hedge, Jr, w. b. CulbertSon, DIR. c. Cole
the Hon A. c. Adams, the Hon W. W. Belk
nap, the Hon Judge Davis of Lee county
John W. Burdette, Esq, Mr.. George c. DUFF
field of Keosa qua; Col Sanger, of Des
Moines; j. ID. M. Hamilton, of Fort Madison
and H. M. Clark, of Wayne county.
After the exercises in the park the GROVE
dispersed to meet sooD again on the rlvel
shore to witness the regatta, arranged by
the Burlington Boating Association
In the evening very fine pyrotechnit
display was exhibited from barges anchored
in the river.
A grand ball concluded the festivities anC
the programme of the day.
The anniversary was celebrated at Du
buque by a banquet at one OF the hotels
Speeches were made in honor OF the even
by Senator Allison, b. b. richards, j. X
Graves and d. j. Burrill. The first settle
ment of the State was ut Dubuque, and thf
fact was largely dwelt upon by the speak