Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-07-06
PATRIOTIC WICHITA.
How the National Holiday was Spent At the
Metropolis Of the Garden state.

Catching the inspiration of the return Of
the national birthday the innumerable en-
bryonic patriots of the city we're up bstims
Yesterday morning. and almost before The
bright twinkle of the stars was absorbed ID
the brilliant sunrsys they were out and
making the fresh morning sir resonent with
alternate bursts of merry laughter and the
sharp pop Of the fire cracker.
Although but little had been said in the
prints about the Fourth and its observances
in public way, everybody seemed to be on
the qui vive, and Is the morning grew into
midday multitudes Of people were vending
their way to the different places selected for
the days festivities.
The chief point of attraction was the Riv-
erside park, the place chosen by the Sons OF
Veterans, where with their friends they
would celebrate the day. They had pre-
pared program for the occasion which
called for public display in the city. Ac-
cordingly at $50 o'clock procession was
formed on Water street in front Of Memo
rial hall hesded by Nsff's bank; then char
lot containing fourteen misses representing
the Goddess Of Liberty and the
thirteen original states; next the
Sons of Veterans, in line, under COM
mand of First Lieut. e. l. ingalls,,
led BY their drum corps; next the Po-peep
company, in charge Of Mrs. Clum, repre-
senting the continental congress; then BY
the Mulvsne flag corps in bunting-dnped
vehicles then representatives. Of the G. A.
R. LOCAL post, followed BY long train Of
vehicles filed with citizens of the town and
country who came in to participate.
After paradiug the principal streets the
procession moved out to the park. Reach.
ing the park the exercises were opened with
An overture by Neff's band. Rev. Hamon
then pronounced the opening invocation,
and after music, Mr.. J. d. Caldwell read
the declaration of independence, prefacine
the reading with short re-
sumo Of the circumstances which wsrt
incident to its origin; the sufferings. priva
tions and indignities endured by the com
patriots of that day prior and subsequent te
its enunciat:on.
After another musical interlude Col.
Milton Stewart, the chosen orator OF the
day, delivered an address, which for clio
quence, fervor and imprisoned patriotic
| sentiment did honor to his genius and no
bility Of soul no less than to the occasion
and those for whom It was specially pre-
pared. (The full text of Col. Stewards ad
dress appears on the second page Of this is
sue at the EAGLE.)
After the address recess was taken unit
l O'Clock. At that hour the order Of exer-
ceses was taken up.
The program of the afternoon abounded
in variety OF amuse nents, such as foot
wheelbarrow and potato racing on thu
grounds, q scull race on the river, theatrical
performances, etc, and very entertaining
drill exercise by the Mulvsne flag corps
under command of Capt John Logan. Thii
feature was highly enjoyed by the great
crowd of people present, and WAS creditsblt
to the winsomc misses composing the corp:
and the skill of their tutor and commander
After the program was completed tn
young folks betook themselves croqueting
boat riding, rambling about the park ant
such other pesstimes as they chose, and a
the day drew to close gradually melted
away into the city and to their homes.
At night the Sons of Veterans, unde
whose auspices the days transpirings
enumerated, gave a pyrotechnic displA!
from the G. A. X. building, and afterwsrd
a ball in Memorial as grand finale.
The arrangements for the occasion wer
we'll planned and as well carried out. thank
to the inspirations of the generous Sons o
Veterans, not jar or hitch, or the slightes
disturbance occurring at any time durinl
the day.
The names OF the misses representing tn
thirteen states, Bo-peep company. and Fla
corps, are unavoidably crowded out Of Thu
report. We regret the disappointment thi
will cause the dears, but it is unavoidable.