Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-03
CITY AND DISTRICT.
How Independence Day Used to b
Celebrated i'm WashingtOn.
Old TIME ~FOURTHS.s

THE ERA OF SUNDAY SCHOOL PIcNIcs
A group Of young people were engaged the
other evening in discussing plans for spending
the fourth of July. They were all agreed on
going out of the city to spend the day, but there
was considerable difference of opinion as to
how and where they should go. The knotty
problem was whether Ii should be an excursion
by land, rail- or water. and as the further ques-
ton of commissary supplies was involved the
debate grew more complicated as 1t proceeded.
81 suppose that we ought to provide ourselves
with fire crackers out of regard for the day iffor
no other reason" remarked one of the group
recklessly, adding to the burden of unsolved
questions.
"No, we won't take fire crackers,' exclaimed
one of the girls. 1--WE might as well stay in the
city If we are going to spend the day in the
midst OF a horrid din. Besides, they burn holes
In yeur dress and the boys think that it is
smart to Brighten the wits out of a person by
putting them off when you don't expect it.
am opposed to fire crackers in this picnic"
The Others only laughed at this rather vehe-
,ment protest against the prevailing feature Of
the great American holiday, and the talk ran
on about the arrangements.
"Oh, my, let's stay at home. 1t is much
bother to go away" finally said one Of the
group in despair.
"Picnics and fire crackers on the 18th of Julyw
exclaimed the old grandfather, who had been
listening to the discussion by the younger gen.
Grafton THAT is the modern way of eelebrat-
ing the day
How did you use to celebrate the fourth
when you were a boy, grandfather?" inquired
the young lady, who was opposed to fire crack
ers.
old man to 90 back over fifty years, when, q
boy, he made il lively for the staid citizens of
the then sparsely settled city. AS the scenes of
his boyhood came up before his mental vision,
the old mans face frightened, and his tone was
briSker as he said:
1.-The first thing on the 4th of July morning
was the national salute by the military. We
had that three times a day-Once in the morn
ing then at noon and again in the evening
a n no hpl lS m he
gan To- ring, and we boys would get up and fire
OFF few rounds of powder. We never used fire
the Christmas celebration. On Christmas day
we set OF the fire crackers. Well, after we had
made all the noise we could, and enjoyed what
other people were making, we would put on
our best clothes and start off to see the celebra-
ton 1t used to be great thing in this District
To- have barbecue on the 4th of July. They
would begin roasting the OK three days before,
because 1t was roasted whole. Nothing less
than whole roasted OK on the 4th of
July would do 1t was a great day
then The barbecue was generally held over
on the Island, as it was called in those days, on
sonian now stands. 1t was near Maryland
avenue. which was then the great highway via
free for all, but the people had to buy what they
wanted to drink, and for that reason 1 suppose
the barbecue was generally near tavern"
who furnished the ox?" asked one of the
listeners.
81 don't know" replied the old man, in
slow, hesitating manner, as If he was cropping
around for something he could not find. Il
suppose the members of the common council.
They like to be on good terms with the people"
WI hat did you do after you had eaten the OK
up? inquired one of the youngsters, who evil
IDENTIFY die not regard an OK even when roasted
sufficient to Danish forth holiday for an
"Doe" exclaimed the old man, with consider
able pride. why we had lots TO do There
We're the fire companies and the military, and
they paraded, and everybody in those days
must be on hand when the companies turned
thing new. never heard Of such thing When
was a boy. Then. after the parade, there were
public meeting, where the Declaration of indie
pendence was read and an Grafton delivered.
Carusis and the Assembly rooms were gener-
ally occupied on the 4th of July. Then in the
evening we had a display OF fireworks. This
was given by the government on the White
lot, and Congress regularly appropriated for
that purpose, until some years ago an accident
happened and several persons were killed, and
that put an end to the government fireworks
Then, besides" continued the old man, who
was getting interested in his subject, "a great
many displays were given by private persons.
in those days Washington was surrounded by
country residences occupied by wealthy people
For instance. Col. Bumford, who was chief of
ordnance, occupied the place called Kalorama
at the head OF Massachusetts, avenue. As he
was chief OF ordinances. he could get all the rock
cts, &c, that he wanted. and he always gave q
display on the 4th of July for the entertain
ment of his friends. My, how times have
changed. In the old times government officers
had some control of the public funds and some
discretion, but in these days they can't do any
thing, and yet there is more stealing going ON
now than in the Old days.
The old man was diverted by these reflections
an the old times to general discussion upon the
degeneracy of modern times, and I'm lconse-
Quence his group of listeners gradually thinned
out.
THE RECoLLECTIoNs OF ANOTHER oLD-TIMER
-When the population of the District was
less than one-fourth of what 1t is at present."
said one of the old-timers to STAR reporter,
'the glorious 4th was far better observed than
which all citizens united. excepting when poll
tics ran so high as to create divisions. 1t was
the custom of fire companies and military
companies to parade in the mornings-the 4th
and May-day, too, being the fremen's and
soldiers days. From the earliest days public
dinners were customary, and way back In the
'20s general celebrations were held in the
Presidents grounds. In 81 the Marion Rifle
corps, of Baltimore, were here for several days,
and there was a gala time ON the 4th. There
was parade OF the military, composed of Capt.
Andrews cavalry company and half dozen foot
Laurie's church (now Wizards halD and a col.
lation in the Presidents woods, the day closing
with display Of fireworks at the arsenal. The
next year, 1928, the commencement of
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal took the place
of the general Independence celebration. At
the same time the cornerstone Of the Is. & 0.
railroad was laid near Baltimore. In 1880 pol
itics ran so high that the friends of Mr.. Clay
and those Of Jackson could not unite, and there
were two public dinners given. In the 4O's pic
mics by sunday schools, excursions by clubs
and organizations, and encampments generally
iOf three Qdys ny TIC Rrduually
crowded out the public dinner feature"
WHAT COL. TAFT REMEMBERS.
Col. James A. TAFT says he well remembers
the barbecue or public dinner feature of the In
dependence day celebration. In one occurring
about 1880, Mr.. Dunning, butcher engaged
IN hiring the salute, had an arm blown Off and
bled TO death, and at the dinner that day,
among the many toasts drank was the follow
Ing: May the prosecutors of Henry Clay be
ramsquadded and chewed up by a ring tailed
.roarer." This was by one of our leading citi-
Gems, and was received with great laughter
This will show how hot were the politics OF that
day. There was no celebration In the cholera
year, but after that down to the war the day
was always celebrated. The military, with the
marines from the barracks, as also the fremen,
always paraded, and sometimes the military
spent three days in camp, going out on the Sd
Der was that the Washington Guards, Col
Unions company, Capt. Ballys and Capt.
Doughtys companies and Capt. Andrews
cavalry company and others paraded. Bally's
company was from the navy yard and had
fancy drill, which always made it an attraction.
There were grand celebrations, too, In the east
front of the Capitol, and when was a boy lin
from Maryland in droves with fruit and cante-
loupes. The latter would be ripe about then,
and were fully month in advance of what
they are now. The places for the encampments
were kalorama. Hickeys, over the Eastern
Branch; City Hall park. and the mall near the
present site of the Smithsonian. After the
infantry organized IL was customary for them
ton, and many IA fine time they have had there
Then came the era for sunday School picnics,
which were in vogue In the 4U's at Gales
woods now Gerfnan!a SchuetZen park, Berry