Omaha daily bee., 1888-08-31
LINKED BY BANDS OF STEEL.
Iowa and Nebraska Joined Together
at Nebraska City.
NEW BRIDGE FORMALLY OPENED.
Old Otoe County's Metropolis Dressed
In Gala Attire on the Occasion
A Monster Parade Seven
Miles in Length.
Nebraska City's EventfuI Day.

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb., August 3O-[Sp
cial Telegram to THE BEE The celebration
has proved a perfect success. The grand
procession at l o'clock was over seven miles
in length, in which more than 5000 people
participated. Besides the other excursion
trains announced, a special arrived from
Chicago loaded with eminent railroad men
and other prominent guests. Every street
in the city was perfectly iammed with peo-
pie and Nebraska City has seen the greatest
day in her history.
The musical contest in which the B. & M.
band Of Plattsmouth, Lincoln Military band,
Bruce Commandery band of Red Oak and
the cornet bands from Peru, Shenandoah,
Red Oak and Tecumseh participated, re
suited in the Red Oak organization carrying
off first prize and the Lincoln Military band
second prize.
The most interesting feature Of the day
was the prize military drill between COM
panies of the Iowa and Nebraska national
guards in which Iowa came out victorious,
the Balllngall Rifles Of Shenandoah winning
first prize, and Company c., of the Nebraska
National guards from Beatrice win
ming second prize. The commanding
officer was Colonel Phillips, of
Beatrice and the companies all made most
excellent scores and the contest was WIT
messed by 10000 people. The fire companies
contest was between the Red Oak and Platts-
mouth hose teams, running 400 feet and
coupling. Red Oak won the race. The Red
Oak team was led by Ross and Bethume,
professional runners from Council Bluffs
The day was perfect and the celebration
was the grandcst success.
Central avenue was waving with ban
ners and ing streamers bearing appropri-
ate notices regarding the citys greatness.
Special trains arrived here from Red Oak,
Iowa, Beatrice, Lincoln and Omaha, and all
were crowded with visitors. Fully 10000
people, on more participated IN the Jubilee,
which was by all odds the grandest demon
stration ever attempted in Nebraska City, or
the west. Nearly every city, town and pre-
cinct IN the state and western Iowa had dele
cations here. Az o'clock every whistle
blew and every bell in the city rang out to
mark the new epoch Of pr perity that was
dawnr upon Nebraska city. Every resi-
dence and business house in the city was
galy decorated and the entire town was one
mass of flags and bunting. The immense
parade was formed on Sixth street, and led
by the Red Oak band and Chief Marshal of
the Day, Brigadier- General l.. w. Colby,
mounted upon his fine Arabian
horse-formery owned by Genera
Grant, and presented to hun by the Shah of
Persia. The procession was made up in the
following order:
Mounted Police.
Brigadier Gen. Colby, Chief Marshal.
Assistant Marshals and Aids.
FIRST DIVISION.
Bruce Commandery.
Band Of Red Oak Ia.
Major John G. Watson, Marshal
Assistant Marshals and Aids.
Nebraska National Guards.
Company c, lst Reg, of Beatrice.
Company ID, 1st Reg, of Lincoln.
Company |, 1st Reg, of Bennett.
Company c. I'd Reg, of Nebraska City.
Iowa National Guards
Company B, 5th Reg, of Villisca.
Company L, 5th Reg, of Shenandoah.
Company X, 5th Reg, of Red Oak
Lincoln (Neb.), Military Band.
SECOND DIVISION.
Plattsmouth Band.
Major w. Il. Canada, Marshal.
Carriages Containing Speakers.
Mayor and Council.
Railroad Officials.
Board of Trade.
Prominent Guests.
49, THIRD DIVISION.
Beatrice Band.
Captain S. II. Morrison, marshal.
Aids 9. w. Hoge and w. +. N. Houser.
-,-r' Civic Societies.
=. William Daumer Post No: "A, G. A. Il.
e
knights of Pythias Lodges.
Ramplin Camp of Modern Woodmen.
Other Civic Societies.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Vlllisca Band of Iowa.
NJ Bauer, Chief Fire Department, Marshal.
Assistant Marshals and Aids.
Fire Department and Visiting Firemen.
Palmyra Band.
FIFTH DIVISION.
+. A. Lambeth, Marshal.
Ladies' Band. of Weeping Water, Neb.
Ladies' Broom Brigade, of Springfield, Neb
SIXTH DIVISION.
Shenandoah Band, of Iowa.
A. Heller, Marshal.
Assistant Marshals and Aids
Mechanics Procession.
Peru Band
Trades Procession.
SEVENTH DIVISION.
Tecumseh Band.
II. Birkby, Marshal.
Assistant Marshals and AIDS.
Citizens in Carriages.
The procession marched and counter
marched through the principal streets of the
city and terminated at the city park wher,
the Hon. John M. Thurston, as orator of the
day, delivered one Of his eloquent extempor
aneous speeches. He was followed by
Colonel Colby, of Beatrice, Genera
Van Wyck, Major Watson and others. Tn,
latter part OF the day was given over to banC
contests, prize military drills and tests b.
competing tire departments, and magnifcen
displays of fireworks in the evening.
The celebration was q success, for Whcl
the board OF trade and business men in gen
eral, and Major Watson in particular, VIII
was untiring in his work, deserve grea
credit.
THE BRIDGE,
the completion of which was the cause o
rejoicing, is said to be the finest ran
road bridge on the Missouri river,
being constructed of steel entire. Work wa
begun on the bridge November 3, 1887 whe
the corner stone of the first pier was lai
with imposing ceremonies, and was con
pleted and opened for traffic July 2S, 1SSS
The two main spans are 400 feet long an
weigh $50 tons each and are capable OF sus
tanning 6,00O,0o pounds. The height Of tn
truss is fifty feet The one on the east sid
is the deck span, 800 feet long and weigh
over ton to the foot The trestle work o
the east side is 2, $50 feet long, the highes
portion being 81 feet. aud the lowest 23 fee
q grade Of Us feet 10 the mile, from the eas
approach. With this immense railroa
bridge Nebraska City is justified in expec
ing additional and important railroad facil
ties and new roads, The Wabash road wi
run line from Shenandoah, Ia, and col
meet here with the Missouri Pacific, which
announced as settled. The Fremont, Ell
horn & Missouri Valley Is also looking for .
opportunity TO build TO this city, and on III
rhola tha ant ta Aatt