The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-05

The 4th of July has come and gone.
1t was ushered in in the quietest manner
possible in Memphis, the average small
boy not even turning loose popping
cracker in its honor.
Quietude prevailed during the morning
and forenoon, and save the intense heat
96o in the shade-there was little or
nothing to remind the periodically in.
clined that the great anniversary had put
in an appearance 1t was clear case OF
innocuous desuetude, but since the late
war between the States, the 4th OF July
has become, in the south, day OF minor
importance.
The Cotton and Merchants exchanges,
the banks, ETC., were closed, and about
noon many of the wholesale houses closed
their doors. There was practically but
little business doing. Those who came in
from the country on excursion trains
promenaded along the principal streets,
visited the bluff and gazed upon the
Father OF Waters, took a ride on the
street ear lines, patronized the dummy
lines, soda water stands and confectionery
establishments.
During the afternoon people began to
start on trip TO jackson Mound park,
Fort Pickering, where a Fourth of July
celebration was announced to come oil.
There were other places OF suburban re-
sort, but Of lesser note, which were also
patronized.
Toward evening few popping crackers
and torpcdoes were let off by the Young
Americans, whose zeal in this respect de-
served encouragement despite the official
order Illuminated against the use OF ex-
plosives aud fireworks by the authorities.
Occasionally hot air balloon shaped like
fishes, jumbo elephants ETC., hoated laZly
over the city, going northward, to the
great delight Of the little people and the
colored folks. One big jumbo elephant
balloon fell on Jefferson street near Third
and was torn to pieces by the youngsters
in their eagerness TO preserve it intact
with view TO utilizing II again at night.
In the evening the street car service on
the Jackson Mound Park line was taxed
10 much more than its capacity, and up to
a late hour crowds Of people assembled at
the corner Of Second and Madison and
other points, anxiously awaiting an empty
car, something that was like THE letter
that never came" The West Memphis
from jackson Mound park, and MANY
there were who took the water route in
preference TO the land route, and thereby
displayed very good sense, the trip by
river being extremely pleasant and agree.
able, TO say nothing OF the romantic
scenery along the Chickasaw bluff on the
left and iheswamps and forests OF Arkansas
on the right bank.
At the park there was fine display o.
fireworks, which was witnessed by an i'm
mcnsc crowd Of people. II consisted Of {
number Of attractive set pieces, flights o
rockets, shells, colored lights, batteries o
astar. golden showers, and many othe
,IIpyrotccinics too numerous TO particularize
-, The Memphis Iouaves gave a displa,
drill OF very attractive character, ant
which was received with encouraging ap
plausc 10y the audience. At night music
and dancing were in order, and tn,
amusement was kept up To- n late hour.
some iorty-hve citizens, including mem
bcrs OF the Bald Knob Rod and GLn club
aud a sprinkling Of newspaper men, lief
the city ut q o'clock n. m. on an excursion
10 the lodge and sporting ground Of thu
club at the southern end Of Black Fisl
lake. II was tho house warming OF tn
club, aud great preparations were made {,
make IL an event long 10 be remembered
A special coach was chartered over tn
Bald Knob route for the party anda day Q
pleasure was the result.
large number Of private fishing partie
were organized for an onslaught upon tn
iinny tribe in every accessible body O
water. ono OF these was composed q
about fifty well to do ladies and gentle
men, aud Lake View was selected "a tn
objective point. The day was most dc
lightiully passed in rowing, fishing, etc.
Altogether, the Fourth OF July in Mem
phis was quiet and pleasant one.