The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-07-09
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH.
Big Crowd - Good Speeches - Excel
lent Music--Ffne Procession N az
nificent Display OF Fire Works -
Two Bowertes-- Ice- Gre am Lemon
ade-- Fire Crack kets-- -Pbiz-- Bang

ade Fire e-Crackets--Phiz--B Bang
Notwithstanding the numerous celebra-
tons of this county, and the excessive heat
of the day, the celebration held in this
town was an eminent success. Indeed, the
oppressive atmosphere seemed only to
assure the crowd of smiling pleasure seekers
that it truly was the long expected "galorious"
Fourth, and to imbue them with patriotic
desire to do their duty by their country--and
the lemonade stands.
The Fourth began on the evening of
the Sd, with the arrival of the Elkhart
Band, which was greeted with boom
of cannon and the omnipresent tire-cracker.
Early on the following morning the cannon's
loud notes were again heard, accompanied by
the peal of bells and shortly after began the
motley stream of farm-wagons, buggies, car
riages-anything in the shape of convey
ance, that soon filled the town with the hustle
and din Of gala-day
In due time the procession was formed,
headed by the marshal, .. N. Hilton, and his
efficient assistant, G. Z. Gilman, and arrang-
ed as follows: Elkhart Band, Fire Dept,
President of the Day and Speakers, City
Fathers, the customary representation OF the
states by youth and beauty, presided over by
a fair Goddess of Liberty, Kalathumpians,
coursed during the march was inspiring, the
members of the various organizations well
uniformed, and the engine, hose-cart and
hook and ladder truck beautifully decorated
with flowers and our national colors, the
same as last year. The members of the Fire
Department deserve especial mention for the
cheerful alacrity with which they responded
to their share in the ceremonies of the day,
as well as for their handsome appearance,
the ladies' declaring that they looked even
better than last year. The plucky Broom
Brigade commanded by Oscar Sweet, march
ed well, and added not little to the effect.
After traversing the prescribed course and
passing many finely decorated residences OF
our patriotic citizens, the procession disband-
ed, and the crowd was then entertained by
an exhibition of Rogers elephant, which
gave the small boys much delight.
From this time until 1:30, there was much
to occupy the crowd in the shape of eatables,
drinkables and dancing. All day, and far into
the night, the sound of music and tripping
feet issued from both Rink and Opera House,
and the devotees of Terpsichore must surely
have returned to their homes fully satisfied
that they had paid due homage.
At half past one large concourse of peo-
pie assembled in the Court House yard and
were opened with music by the band and
prayer by Rev. II. w. Harvey, followed by
recitation of the Declaration of Independence
by Lynn Free, who delivered it with so much
ease as to elicit the same comment as last
year, from a critical bystander who thought
it mighty good speech for young fellow
like him." After more music, b. (. Heckert
read short historical paper, and another piece
of music preceded Mr.. Harvey's address writ
ten in his usual quaint and original manner,
and in which he said he would simply attempt
to hold up his 'small lamp of smoking oil be-
fore the immortal theme" as does the poor
devotee before his waxen saint. By its light
he showed ''the American eel that would not
be skinned" made very clever, cQ@parison
of the British lion and Americanseagle, and
concluded by withdrawing hiSAittle lamp,
while the eyes of all were tn % upon the
"blazing torch CT Liberty En- frightening the
World, that is borne upon the noble summit
of the column of the years" Again music,
and then Hon. j. j. Woodman addressed
the audience at some length, very effectively
enumerating the many blessings for which
every patriotic citizen should be thankful,
and recalling those incidents that will ever
serve as fuel to the fires of patriotism.
After final piece of music, the crowd
to witness the various races, in which the
prizes were awarde Is follows:
SACK RACE.
1st money, 50, to II. Cooper,
I'd 81, to H. Fisk,
Sd 80 cents, to Fred Manning.
HOPPING RACE.
1st money, 50, to Frank Gilbert,
I'd 81, to Eli Cotton.
FOOT RACE.
1st money, SO, to Ftp Lee,
I'd $3.50, to Stan Lett,
Sd 80 cents, to Robt. Taylor.
SLOW HORSE RACE.
1st money, S2, to 'Billy CO. entered by Joe
Sage,
I'd money, 81, to "Lady Clark" entered by
Gene Salisbury,
Cd money, "a, to LADY Middleton" entered
by VIM. Phillips.
FAST HORSE RACE.
1st money, So, to "Jenny Lynd," entered by
I'd money, SO, to Jumbo" entered by Robt.
Graham,
Sd money, 81, to "Black Hawk" entered by
j. M. Longwell.
The Little Drum corps, commanded by l.
H. Murdic, went through short drill, which
concluded the afternoon programme.
Early in the evening the Fire Department.
gave an illustration of its ability to make the
water fly, which exhibition is always novel
ty to many of the crowd.
About this time began to assemble the
immense crowd that witnessed the
FIREWORKS,
estimated by competent judges at $500.
There was fine collection Of balloons,
rockets, Roman candles, and varied designs,
beginning with the word "Greeting" and
ending with Goodnight during the dis
play of the latter, the band very appropriate
" closed the exercises of the day with
"Home, Sweet dome," and the dispensing
crowd voted the affair grand success.