Middletown transcript., 1891-07-09
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH.
EVERYONE TURNS OUT AND ASSISTS
IN MAKING 1T ONE OF THEGREAT-
EST EVENTS IN THE HISTORY
A OF THE TOWN.


Not only did Middletown surpass oil
previous efforts In the observance OF
July 4th, but she completely eclipsed
every town or city in the State. It
was memorable day in the towns
history and the demonstration was by
far the grandest ever held here. The
weather was all that could be desired.
No disturbances occurred and not a
| single arrest was made. The crowd
was good natured and nothing occurred
| in any way to mar the pleasure OF
the day.
Tho shooting crackers and other
| fireworks in the hands of the small
boys awoke the town at an early honr,
and from then until late at night there
was a continual boom. The town
ordinance prohibits the use of shooting
crackers, torpedoes, etc., within tne
town limits but the Commissioners
decided to forego one day and let the
boys have their fun on the Fourth ;
and they had it.
Visitors began to pour into town
about 7 O'Clock in the morning and
kept coming the remainder Of the day.
They came from all parts of the State
and in almost every conceivable man.
ner. Country boys with their sweet
hearts, sturdy farmers with their
families, and the dusky damsels and
their gallant bsaux were all present
and swelled the crowd until it excelled
any seen here for many years.
The colored people held their Fourth
OF July picnic at Lamokin. Pa, and a
big crowd left on the Q O'Clock train
for that place. They composed almost
entirely the worst element Of the col
ored people Of this neighborhood and
the town was fortunate in getting
rid Of them so easily. Many of the
crowd were under the influence OF
liquor before they left and had they
remained no doubt there would have
been more than one fracas.
On the first southbound train came
Hyatt's Military Band and Eureka
Council, No. %, Jr. O. U. A. NJ. OF
Wilmington, and a crowd of visitors
from the upper part Of the State. A
big delegation met the visitors at the
depot and headed by the Citizens
Cornet Band of this place, they marched
down Main street to the Lodge room
of the Jr. o. q. A. NJ, in McWhorter's
Hall. The parade was formed almost
Immediately, and followed by an admir-
ing crowd proceeded over the line OF
march as previously made out.
The procession was headed by Chief
Marshall w. R. Reynolds, mounted on
a handsome black charger, Lima d.,
gaily decorated with hags, and SEEM
ingly feeling the honor conferred upon
her by being allowed to lead the way
ON such an occasion. Hyatt's Military
Band followed, and next came Eureka
Council, No. %. The uniforms OF
the latter were linen busters, straw
hats, and red, white and blue umbrellas
and the order presented 9 fine appear
ance. The speakers In carriages. the
Board Of Education, W. r. Reynolds
float, Battery A. and the Era float
followed and completed the first divis-
ion of the procession. Next came .
troop of mounted deputy marshalls, the
Citizens Cornet Band, Volunteer Hose
Company, Volunteer Hook and Ladder
Truck, the 13 original colonies repre-
sented by school children in wagons,
the States represented in the same
manner, the float Goddess Of Liberty,
Major John Jones Post, No. %, G. a.
r., fioat-plantation scene, the new
flag borne by members Of Council, and
lastly Middletown's Jr. o. q. A. M.
All along the route the street was
filled with an admiring crowd. The
private residences and places OF busi-
ness were decorated with flags and
bunting. and the decorations in some
places were very handsome.
When the exercises began at the
Academy, Immediately after the pa
rade, the large yard surrounding the
place was completely filled with people.
The speakers, the members OF the
Board Of Education and several others
occupied positions on the porch. which
served as a platform, and the young
ladies who were to assist with the
singing, the Jr. o. u. A. NJ, and
Hyatt's Military Band stood near by. |
The exercises opened with prayer by |
Rev. n. Nj. Brown, followed by the
school children singing America"
" The Declaration Of Independence
was then read by W. Reese Parker.
after which Hyatt's Military Band
delighted the assemblage with some
excellent music.
E. r. Cochran. Jr., of this place.
delivered the grafton. 1t was very
able address and we are pleased to be |
able to reproduce it in full on our first
page. Mr.. Cochran was warmly con-
by his friends at the conclu-
sion of his address.
The singing the Red, White and
Blue y by the school was followed by
E. S. Jones introducing Gustav Bach
arach, Esq. of Philadelphia, to the
audience. Mr.. Bacharach made .
short but very entertaining address,
describing the aims and purposes OF
the Jr. o. U. A. NJ, OF which he is q |
prominent member, and concluded by
the flag purchased by the
Order for the Board of Education, to |
that body in few well-chosen words.
During all this time the audience
IL I..,.k ,op,o rlro b1u 0uint ovonnt l