The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-07-05
THE GLORIOUS EoURTH.
More Firecrackers Than Usual Exploded,
But the Police Had Little To Do.

More FirecracISers Than Usual Exploded,
But the Police Had Little To Do.
Yesterday was an ideal Fourth in this city,
and young America, aided by the reiuyenated
enthusiasm of his mother, his sisters, his
cousins, and his aunts, made merry to his
hearts content. Though for few days there
had been some premature celebrations the real
fun did not commence until Friday at mid
night. And then what an explosion there
was. Every manner of firearms was
brought into service to herald in the
one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of
independence. When those who began at
midnight ceased their share in the
demonstration the early-rising small boy was
out of bed and began his torture to the ner-
vous females of his nsighborhood. BY
O'Clock the crowd began to appear on the
streets and avenues, and all day long the city
wore Its most festive appearance. The out-of-
town resorts were patronized to an unusual
degree. Every boat that left its wharf and
every train that departed from the city was
crowded with people seeking the quiet and
comforts of the country.
Within the city limits the police say that
they never had a more orderly Fourth of July.
Though every one wore festive air, but few
went beyond the limits of the law, and conse-
quently the arrests were very small in num-
Der. During the day there We're several alarms
of fire, but none of them was OF any
consequence. OF those who remained in the
city many attended the ball games, while in
the afternoon the largest crowd that ever sur
rounded the Marine Band gathered about
them to listen to their music The twilight
had not yet become dim when the display Of
pyrotechnics began. Never before in the city
has there been such general participation in
this form of demonstration. Until after mid
night the continued bang, bang, bang of the
firecrackers and small cannon, and the siss-
boom-ah OF the rockets could be heard, while
the skies were one mass of brilliant colors. II
10 N "a nnn yvhn mot nOI
time 1t was his own fault.
In accordance with their custom of many
years standing, the Association of Oldest In
habitants of this city met at their rooms in
the Corcoran Building yesterday morning to
celebrate. The attendance was large and the
business meeting which preceded the public
one in Willard Hall was conducted with
that spirit of enthusiasm and patriotism
which marks all the gatherings of this society.
The election of officers resulted in the re-elec-
tion of the former ones, with the exception of
MIR. Allison Nailor, who was chosen to fill the
vacancy In the Office of recording secretary,
caused by the death of DIR. Corbtn. Mr.. A.
L. Kieckhofer and Mr.. w. E. Rogers were
elected honorary members. relic in the
form Of a letter, dated September 16, 1915,
written by Colonel Tobias Lear, was pre-
sented to the association by Mr. John 7.
Given.
An account of the storming of Monterey,
written by Colonel j. w. Mckenzie, was read
Oy Mr. GlVen. AT tne conclusion OF the
business meeting the society at noon ad
journed to Willard Hall, the use of which
was kindly given by Colonel Staples. The
exercises here were opened by the rendition
on the piano of 'Hail Columbia" by Pro-
fessor Cordello. This was followed by the
recitation of the Declaration of Independence
by Mr.. B. G. Wright. "Columbia, the Gem
of the Ocean," was played after which Pres-
dent Marbury introduced Mr.. w. E. Rogers,
who delivered the oration. At the conclusion
Of the Grafton the "Star Spangled Banner
was sung by Messrs. G. e. B. French, Robert
Ball, and j. f. Hodgson. The programme
was concluded by the singing of ''Auld Lang
Syne, by the entire audience