Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-07-09
THE FOURTH AT WEBSTER.

THE FOURTH AT WEBSTER.
The fourth was celebrated in Web
ster in that good old-fashioned way
that BELTS our day Of National Jubi-
lee and rejoicing. Early in the morn
ing the big gun doomed forth its
poems to the day, it's deep-mouthed
thunders echoing far and near Ger
valley and hillside, rousing the
slumbering people to a realization
Of the fact that the 109th anniver-
sary of the Republic had arrived
and to active preparations to parti-
cipate in the festivities incident TO
the glorious occasion. Hardly had
the echoes of the artillery that ush-
ured in the day died away in the
distance, ere the people began to
flock into the city from north, south
east and west and team after team
came pouring into the city laden
with the patriotic citizens of Day
county. BY nine o'clock the streets
were lined with teams, and people,
and children halloed, and all seem
ed to have come determined to ex-
tract all the enjoyment the occasion
could afford.
The Indians, to the number of at
least 900 had arrived the night pre-
vious and had struck their teepes in
an immense circle Immediately west
Of the Court House.
At 8 o'clock the procession was
formed near the depot by Thos. Nc
Kennett, Marshal Of the day, the
Webster Silver Cornet Band in front
followed by the Bachlor Club, who,
by the way, were gotten up in mob
by style. The Indian braves follow
ed next in procession and these by
citizens, on foot, in wagons and car
riages The procession marched up
main street to the lively music Of
the band and through 4th avenue
to the Court House on the grounds
Of which the stand exercises were to
be held.
Arrived at the grounds, the first
thing in order was a sham battle by
the Indian braves. A detachment
Of them, with brush tied to their
backs and on their ponies in such
manner as gave them the appearance
Of a moving grove, stationed them
selves on main street and rushed for
the camp west Of the Court House.
Passing Norton's corner and Smails
lumber yard, brave or two stepped
out from hiding and fired on the
party as they passed. Then, rs
they few around the inside of
the circle of tents, at intervals
braves stepped forth and emptied
both barrels of shot gun at the
passing foe. The sounds Of the
firearms and the wild whoop Of the
Indians, made, for few moments
an intensely exciting scene and
made the spectator feel that this
wierd, fantastic, grotesque scene
was, perhaps, but the representation
of the battle scenes, wild and merci-
less, these plains and hills have wit
messed IN the years agone, when a
few "palefaces" were the victims Of
the ferocious onslaught.
After this commenced the exer-
cises at the stand. The band play
ed "Hail Columbia" followed by
the reading Of the Declaration Of
Independence, by Mr.. A. Z. Barker.
Mr.. Barker is decidedly good
reader and rendered the sublime
passages in that plain, yet forcible
way that never fails to please and
interest an audience.
The Webster glee club, Messrs.
Root and Ross and Mrs. LOOMS and
Mrs. E. @. Warner, rendered "The
Starry Flag is Waving" in fine style.
Following this, John Norton,
President Of the day, introduced the
orator, Hon. Josephus Alley, who
made an able address, that received,
as it deserved to, the marked atten-
ton of the audience. Though not
lengthy it was chuck full Of meat
the central thought running throuh
the address was Of that good, solid
character that rendered it at once
credit to its author and the occa-
sion. The grouping of ideas that
rounded up and made complete the
central thought, proved the gentle
man to possess remarkably fine
powers Of generalization--the power
of expressing in few words vol
ume Of logical thought. We hear
the address everywhere spoken Of in
terms Of the highest praise.
The glee club then gave US "Stand
by Uncle SAM" and did it in
shape that was highly appreciated
by all lovers Of good music present.
The celebrated Indian Chief ''Two
Stars" then made an address which
we give below which was interpreted
by Mr.. Henry Campbell, ex-U. s.
Government Interpreter: