Omaha daily bee., 1883-07-06
A BANG UP TIME.
Fireworks From Above and Below.
ON the Fourth,
Doings OF the Day Intercepted
by a Storm.-The Races To-
Day and Tomorrow.

cessful one, variety. The day opened
very promisingly, with one or two light
showers, so light as to hardly lay the
dust, the heat being so intense as to
speedily dry up the streets. There was
a large gathering Of people from the sur
rounding country, and the streets had an
animated appearance, indeed. The
street parade was not "A very extensive
one 1t consisted of the marshal and
his aides, the police mounted, making in
all fifteen men horseback at the head of
the parade. Then came eight or ten
boys on horseback. The Union Pacific
band followed next, giving grand music.
Abe Lincoln Post, G. A. r., marched
about fifty strong, the martial music
being 10y Wall McFadden's fife and drum
corps. The veterans looked Ms fresh as if
they had not been out all night capturing
the town, and rousing unpatriotic sleep
ers, by firing cannon fire.crackers under
their chamber windows. Carriages next
CANT rolling along containing the mayor,
he platform performers of the day
and one patriotic alderman,
Capt. Eicher. The fire department with
its steamer, truck and hose cart very
prettify decorated with flowers and rib
bons followed, while the new team and
wagon of McClurgs cracker factory with
citizens i'll carriages, and small boys on
foot bringing up the rear. The process
sion was not very long or very creditable;
but the day was a hot one. At the park
there was quite a large gathering. The
reader of the Declaration was A. Il.
Flickinger. Col, j. III. Keatley de
livered the Grafton. He isn't much of n
copyist, and rs was to be expected he
struck out in n new line, and without
spending'any breath on the flag, the
eagle, and the hurrah ..of n Fourth, he
proceeded to point cut some of The ten
denotes of the nation, and some of the
channels into which it is drifting. With
ut taking time to discuss the various
causes in detail and proposing remedies
for them he presented hints and suggest
i've thoughts for the hearers to take home
with them and add to for themselves.
The Grafton was thoughtful and earnest.
The next event Of the day was the Bar
becue at the driving park at noon. 1t
was an immense success, weighing about
1000 pounds-that is the three-year-old
victim. George Deake superintendent
the affair, and %juicier, sweeter slices of
beef never were given to a hungry
crowd.
The races i'll the afternoon were large
ly attended, but the rain and wind broke
mn thn apnrf Tho tipot ,nnn BALLAD 60,
was the $50. class, the starters being,
Maud H. entered by l.. o. Turner,
Jonesville, Wis. Lorene, by Wade Cary,
Council Bluffs; Glenwood, by Sam'l Cal
houn, Keugh, Montana; and Star Jack,
by John |. Redick, Omaha. One heat
was trotted and won by Maud H., Glen
wood, second; Lorene, third; and Star
Jack distanced. Time, 1864.
The first heat of the 2;30 class was
then trotted. The starters were Dutch
Girl, l.. o. Turner, Jonesville, Wscon.
sin; Westmount, j. W. Dunn, Maitland
Mo. Maggie F., Daniel Anderson, Rob,
inson, Kan; May Clark, S. NJ. Beard
sley, Omaha. While they were scoring
a few drops of rain began falling, but il
seemed to be the beginning of another
light shower and the horses were given
, the word 60. The rain increased rapidly
while the horses sped around the track
/, and with wind and water driving in Their
faces, came down the home stretch fly.
ing, it being "a close struggle between
, Westmount and Maggie f. for first place.
| The latter, by a hop, step and jump,
passed under the line about a nose ahead,
Westmont being squarely on his feet,
Westmont was given the heat, Maggie +.
second, Dutch Girl third, May Clark
fourth. Time, 2:32.
BY this time the raincame down in
torrents, and not only caused n cessation
of sport, but caused great CONSERVATION
, among the thousands gathered there. Tn.
{ wind blew n perfect gale, and for n time
, it seemed that the amphitheatres would
r be unroofed. Several drinking booths
Were scattered, and moveables tossed
about, while two or three horses, fright,
ened Mt the storm, frantically ran away,
Everybody vas drenched to the skin by
the sheets of water which in the strong
wind was blown through the |amphithea.
! tres from side to side. 1t was a scene OF
! terror, yet the ludicrous side was promi.
. nent' white dresses, duck pantaloons, al
pacca coats, low shoes, feathers and rib
, bons being in sad plight.
The crowd seattle cd for home as best
they could, and the days sport was a
/ an end.
Arrangements have been made for fin
ishing the $50 and $50 races to-day, i
weather permits. The races for gentle
, mems roadsters, double team, will also b,
to-day.
Tomorrow Saturday there will be tn,
|, free-for-all and the race for gentlemen
single roadsters; also the exhibit of Ia
dies equestrianism and boys riding.
The fireworks promised will be giveI
, nj the mark this evening.