The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-07-05
THEGLORIOUS FOURTH
Has Come and Gone, and was Quiet
Day in this City.
Where and How Our People Celebrated
---N0tes aud Incidents Of the Day.


The 108th anniversary of the American
independence has come and gone, and is
now numbered with the days that were.
1t was glorious day, cool and delightful
just such one calculated TO make the
heart of every patriot swell up within his
bosom, in pride that he was resident of
such grand and free country.
INTHE CITY.
There was no celebration, proper, in
the city yesterday, but the day was gen
orally observed by all as a holiday. The
kids, the hope of the future, CON-
menced observing the day on Thursday
night With bunch of fire crackers, or
torpedoes,a toy pistol or young cannon,
the festive kid entered into the spirit of
the occasion with a vengeance, denoting
the fact that he knew what the natal
day was for. Not only did the kid cele
brate, but he was joined by number of
old and staunch citizens, who entered into
the thing just to remind them of by gone
days. Everybody was happy, and illus
trated their appreciation, of the glorious
Fourth in a manner in keeping with the
beat of their heart. The day opened up
dark and murky. The sun was hid by
cloud, and the clouds threatened rain, but
along about ten o'clock the sun came out
and shone beautifully. Some of our citi
zens decorated their buildings with flags
and evergreens, especially the people lv-
ing on Twentieth street. All the houses
on Twentieth street between Third and
Fourth avenues were decorated and were
adorned by small trees, which had been
cut down in the forest and erected there
1t was pretty sight, and the citizens
of that street are to be complimcnted for
their enterprise. The iron mOulders of
Moline gave a picnic in Brooks grove,
which was largely attended by our peo
pie ard and people of Moline The
Moline Light Guard band furnished the
music for the occasion The base ball
p ark was also well filled by our people
9th in the forenoon and the afternoon,
to witness the games of ball played there.
At night there was nothing going on in
the city more than usual. Taking things
all the Fourth this year was one of the
quietest ever known to our citizens, moth
ing to mar the happiness of anyone.
IN THE SUBURBS.
There beng no celebration here caused
great many of our people to go to other
towns where there was something going
on Some of our people attended the
Knights of Labor picnic held at the fair
grounds IN Davenport All who were
there reported having an excellent time.
Alderman Bennett, of this city, delivered
the Grafton. which was fine one,
Astounding In deep thought and patriot
ism There were about 5000 people
present, and the gate receipts amounted
to large sum. About one h undred of
our citizents went to Cordova, where the
Modern Woodmen held a picnic. A very
pleasant time, and large crowd present
is reported. There was an excursion to
Credit Island which was well patronized.
At Cable, Messrs. Kenworthy and Hurs:
GRATED to a large crowd. Mr.. NJ. f.
Sweeney delivered an Grafton at Illinois
City and Mr. E Guyer GRATED at Taylor
Ridge. Coal Valley had grand celebra
ton, which passed off pleasantly. Mr.. W.
B. Martin delivered the Grafton there
Messrs. J. J. Parks and f. Parmenter let
their eagle scream at Andalusia The
Orion post G. A. r. gave grand picnic,
which was attended by large number of
Rock Island people.
AT GENEsEo
A representative of the ARGUS boarded
the cannon ball on the Chicago Rock
Island and Pacific yesterday and went out
to Geneseo, and took in the celebration
there. Geneseo has about 4 1000 inhabi>
tants, who as a class are genial and hos
pitable, enterprising and energetic. This
is not to be wondered at when one takes
into consideration the location of the
place, On every street maple trees of
various years growth abound, offering
shade to the natives and to the wayfaring
pilgrim who may enter her gates. The
residences are wonders of neatness, some
of them magnificent beyond all compare
son. Geneseo had been making prepa
rations for big time for weeks and
weeks before the Fourth, and therefore
the celegration held there yesterday could
not have been otherwise than the grand
success that it was. The procession,
headed by the Geneseo band, in uniform,
an organization which any town should
feel proud of, followed by the Goddess of
Liberty, thirty-elght young and pretty
girls all in white, representing each state
in the union, fire companies, wild ami
mails in cages, IA burlesque) calllopes,
wagons, carriages, etc, was an imposing
sight to see. The exercises of the day
consisting of speeches, etc took place in
a beautiful park in the heart of the city,
and were listened to by over 1900 people.
In the afternoon match game of base
ball took place at the fair grounds, and
at night there was grand display of fire
works and ball. While in Geneseo we
called at the NeWs Office and formed the
acquaintance of the immortal Kiner. whom
we found to be a pleasant gentleman
The Neeos is the best print shop in the