Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-23
EMANCIPATION DAY
yErRDLY'S CELEBRATION A MAGNIFICENT
SUCCESS
Ths Parade in the NOrning-Rx-Ssnatcr Brucss
Mastery Address on the Fair Grounds
Other Events Of the Day.

Yesterdays celebration Of Emancipa-
ton Day by the citizens OF the three
States was the most notable event which
has ever occurred in colored circles in
this city. The day dawned bright and
fair. and Old Sol seemed TO smile an ap-
proval upon the busy scene which was
being enacted during the early morning
hours.
The various lodges began to assemble
early in the morning, and marched to
the places assigned them. The one
hundred men promised from Mt. Pleas
ant did not put in an appearance, owing
70 a misunderstanding. The white
citizens of this city, who have
aided the colored folks all along
in their efforts to get up a
creditable demonstration, again showed
their good will yesterday by decorating
their houses and places Of business along
the route Of march Of the procession.
The decorations along Market and Main
streets were quite general In their char
acter.
Taking IL all in all the demonstration
was an unqualified success. Much Of
the credit for this state Of affairs is due
NJ the untiring efforts of Rev. J. J.
Jones, who originated the idea of Eman-
cipatiOn Day celebration, and worked
faithfully day and night for the con-
summation OF his plans. The first fea-
ture Of the celebration was
TEE PARADE.
At ten o'clock the different organiza-
tons and carriages began falling into
line at the starting point, corner Mar
ket and Tenth streets. The Hmaville
Cornet Band marched down 20 the
CITY Building shortly after that hour
and escorted Mayor Seabright and the
police and fire department up Market
street Owing 70 unavoidable delays il
was eleven o'clock before the column
finally started. IL was made up as fol-
lows:
Chief Marshal Chas. Lee, and Assistants Os-
borne Gray, Lou Davis, Jacob DUNCAN, An
thouy Rice George McMechen. George
Brunswick and Major Lee, mounted.
Chief Delbrugge and three platoons OF Police.
Union COrnet Band. Of Etnavile.
Carriage occupied by Mayor Seabright, City
Clerk Thos TbOner Clerks WOeber
and Hanke.
Chief Healy and Fire Department.
SECOND DIVISION.
Lincoln Memorial Club.
Float containing "a Girls, representing the
states OF the Union, grouped IN the order In
which they are located, and canopy un-
der which sat the Queen OF the Day.
Forty -four small Rows acting as Escort 70 the
Float.
THIRD DIVISION.
Unity Lodge No. I, X. OF P. OF Washington, Pa.
Eureka Lodge, 6. U. D. Of y. +.
Mayors Brass Band.
Wheeling PatriSrchies Lodge No. 2S, G. Q. o.
otO +.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Carriage containing the guest OF the day, ex-
Senator b X. Bruce. OF Mississippi, Hon.
G.. Wesley Atkinson and Mem
bers OF Committee.
Carriages, Men on Horseback, Wagons, Adyer-
Using Carriages, etc, etc.
The column moved over the line of
march therefore, published in the REG
ISTER, and the marChers were every
where commended for their fine ap-
pearance. Several hundred men were
in line, besides 9 string OF carriages
nearly a quarter of a mile ia length.
The police all wore white gloves and
neat bOutOnniers, and presented fine
appearance. The engines and trucks
Of the FIRE department had been polished
up and decorated with flowers and
wreaths and looked bright and hand
some. The different organizations all
marched well, but the Wheeling Patri-
archS are deserving OF especial mention.
They wore natty uniforms and marched
with the precision OF well-drilled
soldiers. At different points along the
route, they went through difficult evo-
utions that brought forth applause
from the crowds that lined the side
walks. Several thousand people stood
upon the streets and viewed the pro-
cessiOn, the crowd along Market and
Main street being particularly large.
When the entire route had been gone
over, the procession crossed the bridge
and proceeded down South Front street
70 the Fair Grounds, where the ex-
erCiSes Of the afternoon took place.
THE PICNIC.
Il was about one o'clock when the
procession entered the Fair Grounds,
and the crowd was slow In assembling.
The ladies had arranged dinner for the
visitors, and full corps OF walters
were kept busy attending 20 their wants,
their appetiteS having been Sharpened
by the long march in the hot sun. a
number Of refreShment booths were
located inside the grounds, besides the
usual iakirS with striking and blowing
machines, baby and cane racks, shoot
ing galleries, etc. AL the booths were
literally patrOnlzed.
Mayors string band stationed itself
on the dancing platform, and the floor
was alive with the devOtees Of that
diversion, Notwithstanding the extreme
lY hot weather. The speaking took
place az tho grand stand. AT half past
two o'clock the Union COrnet Band
marched down TO the stand, followed by
most Of the people. The grand stand
filled rapidly, and when a few minutes
later Prof +. McHenry Jones raped
for order, in the speakers stand, which
had been constructed for the occasion,
and surrounded with flags and bunting,
there were about 1,5O0 people In the
audience, including great many prom
inent white citizens.
Prof. Jones introduced the guest and
speaker o; the day in the following neat
address:
Il hardly think it necessary 70 burden
the audience with a lengthy preliminary
speech, as / am aware that you are all
anxious TO listen 10 our distin-
guished guest. congratulate the ciu-
zenS Of Wheeling, black and white,
upon the magnificent demonstration which