Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-07-05
,TVASAGLORIOUS FOURTH
Nature Smiled Upon the Happy Re-
public Yesterday.
He,y the Local Public Celebrated the
Nations Birthday.--At the Watch
Tower, on sylvan Island and Else.
where.

The elements seemed to realize the
glad holiday and to combine in the best
way possible to make 1t grand and glor-
ious The clerk of the weather had
ordered the best at his command and his
wishes were complied with in every par
ticular and detail The weather was
most propituous--not too hot to be un.
comfortable yet just enough to make it
most delightful-the roads were In good
condition for pleasure driving and every
body who could, was out enjoying him
self and giving vent to his patriotism in
the manner most in harmony with his
disposition.
TIE street cars and livery stables did a
good business. Supt. Schnitger had
his improved service between the two
cities successfully inaugurated. and
found need for all the additional cars he
could bring into use. On the Rock Is
land & Milan line Supt. Davenport put
on additional cars for theiaccommoda-
ton of the traffic, and found them crowded
all day. A great many people came in
from the country, dispite the various
suburban celebrations, and these with
the great outpouring of city folks. made
today lively one, though no formal of
observance had been adopted.
The main points of attraction were of
course the watch tower and Sylvan Is>
land. though many took in the excursions
to Offerman's island and not few spent
the day at White Sulphur Springs, at
Linwood. where they had some fine fire
works last night. Others went to the
ball games at Davenport, and enjoyed
the two games in the series with Burling-
ton. A few people visited the Rock Is
land ball park expecting to see game.
but were disappointed. The picnic given
under the auspices of st. Johns Man.
necholr at Huber's garden came in for its
share of patronage.
An AERoNAUT's NARROW ESCAPE.
Sylvan Island was thronged all day,
the main attraction being a balloon as,
cension, and parachute drop by Prof. s.
L. Thompson. The ascent was made
about o'clock, and the sirship rose
about 800 feet, when the daring voyager
Selling a firm grip upon his parachute
lesped out. At first the parachute
spread out and worked admirably, but il
| soon became manageable, and when
about thirty feet from the ground Thomp>
! son let go and fell into Sylvan water. He
! lit swksrdly and upon his side, and
in such position as to so disable him
! that he could not swim, and he struggled
despe rately fully $50 feet from the shore
A soldier on the Island side threw sew
eral buoys to the struggling aeronaut,
but he was unable TO grasp them, and
; the soldier finally jumped into the water
and swan to Prof. Thompson's relief.
; rescung him when he was completely
exhausted and ready to give up the
struggle in despair He was taken to
the shore, where restorstives were applied
and today is in fair way to recovery,
though his escape is regarded as a mar
row one, indeed.
A LUDICROUs INCIDENT.
There was great concourse of people
at Black Hawks watch tower all day and
abundant enjoyment was found for
everybody. A ludicrous incident oc-
CURED in the afternoon at the boat slide,
when boat well laden with ladies and
gentle men dashed down the incline and
| into he water, and without warning,
sunk TO the bottom of Rock river near
the foot of the slide, without going ont
! into the water. There was an instant
scramble for the shore and all were
obliged to walk in water up to their
waists The scene presented, and as
witnessed by thousands of people. was
amusing. though had the water been
deeper, it would not have been so laugh
| able.
In the evening Mr.. Bailey Davenport
gave his long promised pyrotechnic dis
play from a float anchored at the base of
the tower. Some very unique and al
| together pretty pieces were sent sky
wards andIthe exhibition was pronounced
by ali who witnessed it fine success
| PRIZE FIGHT.
Quite a number Of people visited Of
fermar's island during the day, where the
sports were varied by number of fistiC
encounters. the principal of which was g
genuine eighteen>round prize fight in
which the participants, Black and Stat
terry, both professionals, hailed
from Davenport. Black proved winner
and 800 changed hands on the result
though the stake holder is reported
missing. A number of minor encounters
for various sums occurred.
WORKS.
There were number of beautiful pri
vate displays.
A number of Rock Island families spen,
the day quietly on Big Island.
The Sutcliffe and HoldOrf families
spent The day in reunion at Silver Lake
Mol ne had three fires in consequence,
of the Fourth, but all were Suppressed
in their incipiency.
Some brilliant colored lights along tn
Daven port bluffs were appreciated OIL
this side of the river.
The displays from Sylvan Island an