Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-07-07
IOWA PARK.
How the Glorious Fourth Was Observed-A
Day Long to Be Remembered.
Iowa PARK, Tex, July 5, 1889.


To the Gazette.
The day opened bright and clear. A
salute of forty-two guns was opened at
sunrise, Mrs. William Scarborough firing
the first gun. Flags and streamers were
run out on poles at the Cameron hotel,
Scarborough store, Kennedy's resi-
dence, and the houses and business
places generally were beautifully dec
Grated. large pavilion was erected in
the center of town for the exercises.
Other pavilions were erected for dancing,
shooting off the fireworks and for re-
freshment stands, all being decorated
with flags, evergreens and magic Ian
terms. Crowds of people began to ar
rive on horseback, in vehicles of all de-
scriptions, and a special excursion train
came from Wichita Falls, bringing sew
eral hundred people, including the
Wichita band with their splendid new
silver instruments, also the Wichita Falls
base ball club, who were to play match
game with the Panhandles of Iowa
Park. The Fantasies appeared on
horseback in gorgeous and ridiculous
costumes, followed by a float drawn by
four mules, on which quadrille of four
couples danced to the music of two vio-
Inns and the amusement of the crowd.
The exercises opened with music at the
grand stand by the band, followed with
prayer and vocal music by select quar-
tette. Hon. J. Kennedy delivered an
address of welcome and eulogy of the
day we celebrate, and of Texas. The
following letter of regret from Governor
Ross was read:
AUSTIN Tex, June "a, 1889.
Hon. D. G. Kolp, Chairman.
My DEAR SIR assure you it would
give me great pleasure to accept your
kind invitation to meet with my Iowa
friends who have become citizens of the
state of Texas and witness their material
prosperity, but it is impossible for me to
do so. Permit me to express the hope
that the fullest measure of prosperity
and happiness may attend all your ven
lures in your new home, and that l may
in future enjoy the privilege of visiting
you. Very respectfully,
L. S. Ross.
Regrets were also received from Hon.
A. L. Matlook, who from press of bust
ness could not be present. The Declara-
ton of independence was read by Maj.
Boss of Iowa. An address on patriotism
was delivered by Col. d. G. Kolp, taking
Gen. Sam Houston as the leading char
acter.
A large public table was presided over
by the ladies of Iowa Park and provis-
ions furnished free to hundreds of bache-
lors, cow boys and strangers who
were not otherwise provided for,
while the Cameron hotel register
showed pages of visitors from all
parts of the country, and the restau-
rants, boarding houses and residences of
citizens were taxed to their utmost ca
paclty IN feeding the people.
The game of base ball was closely con-
tested and resulted in favor of the Iowa
Park club, the score standing thirty
four to twenty eight, with half an inning
still in favor of the winning club.
The day closed with grand display of
fireworks, consisting of rockets, roman
candles, balloons, etc, after which
the large dining room of the Cameron
was thrown open TO youth and beauty
who tipped the ''Iight fantastic until
the wee sma hours.
The day was gala one, with nothing
to mar the festivities, and VIII result in
great benefit to Iowa Park, in the fact
that it shows a well managed, enterpris-
ing business town. photographer has
taken views which will reproduce the
scenes of the occasion.