Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-08-09
EMANcIpAr1oN ANNIvERsARY.
The Annual Celebration Of COlored Peo-
plo Rt Baxter Springs Proves
GRIND Success.


plo mt Baxter Springs Proves
Grand Success.
A very large assemblage of the col
ored people of southeastern Kansas
met at Baxter Springs on Friday, An.
gust LIST, TO celebrate the anniversary
of the liberation OF the slaves Of the
West India Islands and also the aboli.
ton OF slavery within tho United
States. The day was hot and dusty
as usual, but this fact did not seem tC
mitigate at all against the fullest en-
joynent of the OCCASION by everyone
present. A goodly number came in
on the midnight trains of the previous
night and the country people rolled in
in their wagons early, giving to our
city an unusually busy appearance
during the morning. At 10 O'Clock a
large delegation from the east arrived
accompanied by the Joplin band in
line uniforms. Shortly afterward the
special excursion train from TT. Scott
came rolling in with several hundred
people and the TT. Scott band, on
board. These were met by the people
here including the Sabbath schools of
the CITY. The throng was then ar
ranged in column on Sheridan avenue,
with the II. Scott band leading, and
che large procession moved through
our principal STREETS 10 Reunion Park.
After few moments spent in cor
dial greetings at the park the regular
published program was begun and
carried out almost 10 the letter. The
first thing was music by the bands,
then a song By the A. NJ. Il. Sunday
school, prayer by Rev. j. w. Smith, a
song by the Baptist Sabbath school
and brief address OF welcome by
Rev. A. NJ. Ward. Another song by
The A. NJ. +. Sunday school and more
music by the bands brings us 10 the
grand basket dinner, which was at
tended to in that hilarious yet limo
cent manner so characteristic of the
colored race, and was indeed grand.
After dinner there was music by the
bands, a song by John II. Lynch ly-
ceuni, reading of the emancipation
proclamation by Miss NJ. G. Burnett,
a song by tho Baptist Sunday school,
Il splendid and instructive address by
Rev. Il. II. Guy, another song by the
lyceum and fine address by Mr.. Il.
Boiler. After music by the band Mr..
j. Davis gave recitation aud the
Baptist Sabbath school sang.
For some reason Prof. A. j. Lee did
not speak as announced, but the bal
ance of the program was fully COM
peted, there being a fine recitation by
Miss NJ. Suematc, a song by the min
ers' quartetle, 4 splendid recitation by
Miss {. ". Poyntcr, another song by
the quartctie, Il recitation by Miss NJ.
L. McLamore. music by band, a paper
read by II. II. Curtis and song by
the A. NJ. E. and Baptist Sunday
schools.
Rev. II. j. Downing was present
and on being invited to speak made a
very acceptable and interesting i'm
promptu speech which was highly APP
preciated.
Every part of the program was Civ
on in pleasing and instructive man
ner aud received with due apprecia-
ton.
The park was filled with refresh
ment stands, swings, a dance platform
and other forms of amusement even
down to an "original package" estab-
lishment, which, we regret to say.
dealt out whiskey and beer at a rapid
rate all day in defiance of the prohibit
tory law Of Kansas. Notwithstanding
this, however no trouble Of serious
nature resulted therefrom and not an
arrest was made at the celebration.
In the evening several festivals were
in full blast and by the time the trains
pulled out at midnight doubtless near
ly all appreciated the fact that they
had had enough fun for one day. 1t
was one of the most successful cele-
brations of the kind ever held here.