Arizona weekly citizen., 1892-07-16
YUMA CELEBRATES THE 4TH. And Proves Her Loyalty in Manner
 Most Creditable.


 The Fourth of July was celebrated at
 Yuma ID the good old fashioned way
 Elaborate preparations were made days
 before for an occasion of real enjoyment.
 The militia, under the gallant leader
 ship of Captain Ingles, started the ball
 rolling some two weeks ahead; comlnit-
 tees were appointed and through the generous assistance of public spirited citizens the necessary finances raised for the occasion. The day OpeLed most
 propltiously. A fine breeze from the gulf relieved the temperature of oppres-
 i've heat, and just as the first gleams O: of tae sun began to illuminate the eastern hill tops drowsy slumberers were aroused by the firing of guns and anvils. At eight a. m. the members of Company H. assembled at the Armory hall and donning their uniform and pursuant to prlOr arrangement, marched to the Territorial prison to par ticipate in fiinging to the breeze the star spangled banner. The flagstaff had just been erected by the patriotic sup erintendent, and it was an example Of his fine sense of judgment concerning the fitness of things to have invited the militia on liberty's birthday to take leading part in the ceremony of raising the new flag for the firss time on Prison Hill. The pole was the presentation of the old veteran river Captains Melon and Polhamus. Remarks appropriate to the occasion were made by Judge Brinley and Rev. J. A. Crouch after which the procession headed by the militia returned to the ArmOry where a generous supply of refreshments ID liquid form were served to all-the re- suit of wise fOrethought on the part of the prison guards and at their expense. ! After half hours tarry marching was resumed, halting at the old quarter masters buildings, on the banks of the Colorado, West Yuma. Here had al ! ready assembled a goodly number of people. Tables extending the entire length of the long buildings were being spread with eatables of the most sub- ! stantlal character, to such as IS calcu ! lated to tempt the pampered taste of the | most fastiduous. The lofty domes of the old adobes echoed and re-ecL oed the inspiring tones of gay music and many were participating in the giddy mazes of ! the waltz. Thus feasting., music and cherry conversation guiled away the time. At p. m. each member of the |. militia gave an example of bis marks manship. The best score, twenty-three | was made by Peter Anne better known | as Jay Gould. Capt. Ingles and others . followed close to the lead. At night l the crowd dispersed some repairing to | the Southern Pacific hotel where danc- ing was kept up till the we sma' hours. | The busy day closed with a creditable ! display of fireworks. Taken al in all | the whole affair surpassed expectations and has etfectually silenced the croakers who were active as usual in crying down instead of lending the much needed helping hand. To the militia belongs much credit, and especially the commit tee of arrangement who did much hard work to ensure the success of the oc- casiOn.
 More improvements have been made around the Yuma prison during the last three months than for years before in the same length of time. The guards mess hall commenced last year has been completed and is now ready for occup- ancy. The new hospital and dispensary Is also furnished and the sick prisoners moved into it. Substantial improve ments have been made to the carpenter shop. Another cell much needed, has been dug out of the solid granite. All the woodwork outside ard inside the walls of the prison has been overhauled. and repainted for the first time in he last six years, and another arc light added t0 illuminate the prisCn grounds. The instruct on of a new road from the prison to the railroad depot is nov under construction by the prisoners, and will be much needed improvement A new grainery of good size has been also added to the improvement The office and residence of the superintendent have been thoroughly renovated,> : re- paired aud repalnted and the outward appearance greatly improved as we'll as adding the advantages of comfort and healthfulness. Besides all this a new photograph gallery has been ii ted up and the guards stands have all been re- fitted up in good sty le. There are now IA prisoners enrolled, two less than this as Francisco Franca and Relies Silva have been discharged. On the 2nd inst. John Brown, Steven Davey. Frank Nugent and Csc. W. Hunter, all of Yavapai, were registered at the hotel de McInernay. There were 26 added last quarter and l3 discharged. During next month = will receive thelr dis charge.
 All we'll wishers in behalf of Yuma rejOIce to learn that the great water storage scheme of Blaisdell < Co. is now placed on a solid footing, the capital having been raised to prosecute the en- terprise, It means abundance of water for Yuma, the reclaimation of thousands of acres of mesa land adjOinlng-turned rom a desert to blooming garden be- sides encouraging the Inauguration of numerous other enterprises of greater pr less moment. F. B. l.. li
 Yuma. July 9th, 1892.