River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-07-07
July 4th. 1902.
A Large Assemblage---A Fine Address
And a Good Time Generally.

Saturday seemed liable to put very |
wet blanket on everything, but clear
day Sunday dried up the muddy roads
and the warm winds the grass grounds.
so that when the day of ] uly 4th, 1892,
began the sky was almost cloudless, |
the streets were dry but not dusty and |
the air was warm and balmy. AT an
early hour teams began to gather in |
the streets. Main street was full, the |
stores were doing driving business, |
the cavalry were driving to and fro
and everything presented the air of
gladness and hustle combined.
Promptly at ten o'clock Mr.. Glass, the
Marshal of the day, gave the word
FORWARD" and the escort of cavalry
in the van of the procession COM
menced its march. Several finely dec
Grated trade floats followed directly in
rear of the Fire department apparatus,
among which we noticed the fine dis
play of the Prairie Mills, the elabor
ately gotten up float of our energetic
| townsmen Mr.. Lund, the ever present
and always ready 4. f. Tubbs, Esq
and a windmill in motion exhibiting
the enterprise of NJ. 9. Pierce. Esq.
The members of the |. N. Nichols
Pest, u. A. r., assisted by visiting
bretnren made line appearance,
while the |. D. o. +. turned out a
splendid corps of men. 1t would be
hard to find anywhere an organization
giving better appearance than did
the fire laddies in their new caps and
belts. looking every inch ready for du-
| ty or pleasure as the case might de-
mand.
The children turned out fairly well
and made pleasing addition to the
| features of the parade. In rear of the
trade floats followed a long train of
carriages and wagons loaded with hap
by families coming in to enjoy the
| Fourth.
| The exercises at the grove were not
prolonged to the weary stage. Sew
eral children recited very nicely pa
triotic declarations, the audience
sang patriotic hymns with an earnest
ness showing that America" is not
yet forgotten.
After the hymn the Declaration of
Independence was read in a clear and
impressive manner by Miss Lottie
johnson, after which DR.. Ballard, the
president of the day, introduced the
orator with betitting words.
The address of Mr.. Burnley was the
main feature of course of the day. 1t
was a scholarly, earnest and thought
full address, giving wildly the advance
made in the few years of our nation
history and portraying the contrast
between the days when Washington
with 20 900 men contended against the
host of Great Britain and the era
when the country mustered into SER
vie more than two millions of fight.
ing warriors.
With an earnest plea for watchful-
ness over our country's destinies for
firm position for the right in the con-
tests against evil which must arise,
with a word of warning to guard
against the encroachments of the Ii
quor traffic and the danger of inhu-
mainly towards feebler people who
may come in contact with our ideas,
the speaker brought his discourse to a
close, leaving behind him many gems
of thought for those present to carry
home and ponder over when the light
er pleasures of the day had passed
away.
At twelve O'Clock the woods were
full of picnicers. Everywhere one
could find happy families with bounti.
full spreads enjoying the dinner in the
grove.
Several refreshment stands were
well filled by those who preferred TO
trust to the liberality of the city rath-
er than bring their food from home
and everybody did thriving business.
The members of the G.. A. r. were
entertained at the stand of the NJ. E.
church ladies who gave bountiful
and well ordered feast At two
o'clock promptly the sports of the day
began. and the race course was crowd
ed. While the people worked hard to
| Eaap haak tho ornud thara mas M
trouble, everybody was good natured
and yielded to persuasion only to re-
turn where they we're not particularly
wanted, but Notwithstanding this the
programme was carried out With per.
feet success, with results as follows:
Bicycle race-1OO yards dash, Winchester Tag
CART and Reed contestants, Winchester LIST, Tag
CART ID and Reed Sd.
Foot race-several contestants, C. G. Smith LIST,
Will Granger ID. Geo. Peterson 80, Linnehan 4th
Barrel races entries, w. Granger lst, w. Lin
nehan I'd, Frank Linnehan Sd.
Egg races entries, Granger LIST, Linuehan I'd,
| Fargo Sd.
Potato races entries F. Hurst LIST. Linnehan
I'd, Fargo 3D.
Three legged race-Smith and Fargo LIST,
| Granger aud Linnehan I'd.
Sack races entries, Granger LIST, Linnehan
100 yard dash for boys u years and under
| many entries, won as follows: Fred Muchenhau.
| sen LIST, Sweet I'd Fuller Sd.
Tug of War-Firemen vs. Odd Fellows, Fire.
| men won.
Trotting and pacing race-entries Meinke's
| horse, Mark" driver, Charley Glass. A. T..
Goss' stallion "Titian," driver A. r. Goss Mr..
| Baker of Beldenville horse not name Marx LIST,
| Titan ID Bakers horse I'd.
Running race-Robert Haddow's horse 1st I.
| Z. Morrow's pony %, III. w. Judd's Sd.
win sehofield carried off the fabricated pig;
| Base ball-Hudson VS.. River Falls won by
| River Fails. score ~ to 4.
Dodge's pavilion was opened imme-
diately after dinner for those who
loved to trip the light fantastic toe
and was filled almost to suffocation all
the day and evening.
A very pleasant episode was the Wis
it of the Ellsworth band who came
over in special train at eight o'clock
p. NJ. and marched to the grounds
where they entertained the assem-
blage with large variety of music
well performed.
The grand display of fireworks, many
of the pieces being of new designs,
completed the programme of the day.
An interlude in the firing of the rock