Los Angeles herald., 1890-07-05
THE FOURTH
How It Was Celebrated in
This City.
The Procession in
the Morning.
The Literary Exercises in
the Afternoon.
The Battalion Drill of the
Soldiers.
The Features of the Parade Severally
Described.
"A Day Which Was Enjoyed by the Citi-
zens and Ten Thousand People
From Other Places.
The Features of the Parade Severally
Described.
zens and Ten Thousand People
From Other Places.

The celebration of the nations natal
day in this city yesterday was one which
will live long in the memory of those
who participated in the various events
and those who witnessed them. The
programme had been carefully arranged
beforehand, and it was carried out with
out hitch of any consequence. AS
early as midnight, and even before, the
crack of the squib and the boom of its
larger brother announced that the day
was here, and from that time until the
hour of going to press this morning there
was scarcely any cessation. Even in
the warmest portion of the day the
small boy was to be seen in every yard
and on every street corner, punk in
hand, and exploding fireworks all around
him. Some OF the larger people could
have taken lesson from him, for at times
they scattered their fireworks in such a
reckless fashion that it seemed as if
there was danger of injury to the persons
of the passers by. Fortunately very
few accidents were reported, and the day
was comparatively free from mishap.
Early in the morning the people from
the residence portion OF the city focked
down town, taking up positions where
they could see the procession. 1t was
noticed that included in these crowds
were several thousand people from the
surrounding towns. Every train that
arrived on Thursday and yesterday morn
ing was crowded with people coming to
Los Angeles to spend the Fourth, and it
was estimated that nearly 10000 people
from other places were in the city.
AS usual, the procession did not start
exactly on time, end it was nearly II so
O'Clock when it was over, but there was
ample time between this hour and the
commencement of the literary exercises
for everybody to obtain luncheon.
In the afternoon number of people
gathered at the pavilion to witness the
literary exercises, notice of which will
be found elsewhere. 1t was during the
early part of the afternoon that the fire
alarm was rung.
The literary exercises lasted until after
four O'Clock and then everybody went
home and rested, the streets being de-
serted except by the small boy and his
tiny fire-cracker. AS the day grew cooler
toward evening, the din of the cracker
and bomb grew louder until it seemed
as if pandemonium had been let loose.
Then when it became dusk from various
quarters the rocket was seen flying sky
ward, the many colored roman candles
sent their glowing balls into the air and
chasers andpin wheels were displayed on
every block.
About O'Clock the crowd wandered
down to where the fireworks were set
off, and for an hour or more the general
display was lighter After these were
over the celebration commenced with
more vigor than ever 1t decreased
gradually until midnight, when except
for here and there the discharge of a
rocket or a bomb announced that few
only had not yet finished their cele-
bration.
Perhaps the hardest worked people in
the city were the police. The force
kept matters we'll in hand, and pre-
served good order without trespassing
on the privileges ST the celebrators. The
fire department was kept in readiness to
answer call for aid, and the citizens
generally kept a close watch for in
cipient fires.
The Decorations.
In honor OF the occasion the city had
been handsomely decorated not only in
the business center, but in the residence
portion. Many private houses were
adorned with the national colors, while
flags fioated from every pole and from
many other places. The committee on
decoration had swung across the streets
along which the procession passed
streamers, from which were suspended
numerous small flags. These added to
the gala-like appearance OF the city.
They were in fact the finishing touches
to the holiday attire of Los Angeles.
Down town nearly every building,
store and Office was decorated, and some
of the show windows were very hand
somely arrayed.
Among the most noteworthy may be
mentioned the following:
B. f. Coulter's store, corner of Sec
and Spring streets. The window was
very artistically arranged. For the
background bunting, with small flag
patterns for figure, was used. At the
front on easels draped with the national
colors were the pictures of George
Washington, Martha Washington, and
the battle of Bunker Hill. Surmount-
ting these were crossed flags, and the
whole made very pleasing picture.
The wallpaper and paint and oil
house of Eckstrom & Strasburg was one of
the best decorated on Main street. The
national colors were draped and festooned
over the entire front of the building,
and the windows were models of taste.
On the large plate glass were the notices,
in gold letters: Religious Liberty"
Free Speech" and "Civil Liberty, Free
Press" Mounted on the awnings was an
immense painting Of Washington, while
around were grouped the national en-
bIems and notices. and in the rear of
all a gallery OF the presidents. This
was designed and painted by the firm.
The Peoples store show-window on
Spring street attracted great deal of
attention. For the background bunting
was used. In the center OF the window
on a velvet background was the portrait
of Washington, the outlines of the face
and costume being worked out with but
tons and beads. Underneath this was
the motto: First in Place, First in