Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-07-06
rnE LooAL CELEBRATION.

Many Thousands OF Citizens Attended the
Washington Street Bridge Display Given
by the Patriotic Orders Of Wilmington
1t Was Not u Great Pyrotechnio Display
But still Was Enjoyed Immensely.
The national holiday was spent quietly
here in. the city. There was the usual
racket OF street fireworks going on all day.
ih tne evening, however, along every street
| the pretty effect OF Chinese lanterns, glow
ing with q soft light from the verandas of
residences, and the neighhoripg electric
light illuminating the bright tints of in
| Vulnerable flags showed that the spirit and
memory Of Independence Day is still
strong and honnred by citizens in all parts
OF Wilmington. As il grew darker red
light threw its rich oarmine effect up and
down the streets. Rockets and bombs
were let off and in scores of places
very line demonstrations were made. This
was remarkably so on West street, which
at times was q most beautiful spectacular
effect. Occasionally big rocket would
SHOOT on horizontally, an unaceustomed
hand having it in charge. But the stray
rocket was Q most alarming visitor for the
people passing along. One in particular
sprang away only two or three feet from
the ground and with horrible rush and
hiss sped along past the trees, its fiery
serpent trail creating the utmost alarm.
IL flew some 800 feet and then struck a
tree, The force of impact was sufficient
to impale human being.
Several thousand citizens gathered at
Washington street bridge, on the city side,
70 witness the fireworks display arranged
by the patriotic orders Of the city, The
evening was beautiful, just the proper
weather for successful demonstration Of
the kind. To be sure the display was
nothing of any great extent. Unfortu.
nllhtely many people were looking for some
blg spectacle, set displays, such as the
Crossing the Delaware" &C., but these
cost $500 or $500, where as the total sum
collected for the show last night did not
exceed 5000. However it was very good
OF Its kind and thoroughly enjoyed by
those, inclined to enjoy themselves
to the extent Of the money sub
scFioed. Those who condemned the
smallness OF the display should have
thought for moment and also have paid
IN their subscriptions for the evening.
There were rockets of all kinds, bombs,
bouquets, weeping willows, parachutes,
mines, &c, The big dynamite bombs were
the fayorites. They did not explode until
well up, en- route for the stars. Then the
rattle and thunder of the explosion shook
the rocks and hills all the way up the
rocket sticks falling into the Brandywine
and the fire and earth shaking from the
explosions must have caused considerable
CONSERVATION, il not fatalities among the
pisoine residents of the historic stream.
Among those giving private displays
were Q. Is. Rudolph, at No. $40 West
street; w. s. Almond, at Twelfth and
Washington; Senator Gray and others.
Balloons were sent up from the Field Club
grounds during the afternoon. From the
Washington street bridge location fire
works could be seen from various direc-
tons around Brandywine hundred.
An elaborate display of fireworks was
made in the large field adjoining the lawn
of Mrs. Lammot du Pont, near Rising
Sun. Heretofore the display has been
made on Alfred du Points lawn.
Union Park was largely attended during
the day.. over 1900 being present. She'll
pot park and the Brandywine also had
their share of patrons.
There were not more than two or three
arrests during the whole day.