Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-07-07

anniversary day. half century from the
birth of the Republic.
On July 4, 1928, the first stone was laid
for the construction of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad. 1t was made the occasion
of much rejoicing, and what were considered
extravagant predictions as to the future rail-
roads of this country were made, but the
realization has exceeded the fondest dreams
of the first projectors.
The celebration of the Fourth of July in
New York in 1888 was one of the most
enthusiastic from the close of the Revolution
to that time. The 'old seventy-sixers.' as
the survivors of the war were called,
gathered at the Battery and fired a salute of
thirteen guns at o'clock in the morning
This was considered the salute of honor to
the dawn of the glorious day. 1t was
followed by the firing of guns, cannons and
fire-crackers by the young Knickerbockers,
the ringing of bells and the blowing of
horns. The troops of the city formed at the
Battery for their annual parade at 9 o'clock.
The whole town turned out to see the show
Banners foated from all Of the public build
ings, many private dwellings were decorated
and the ships in the harbor were covered
with bunting.
The military parade was dismissed at II
o'clock, and the civic societies turned out in
the afternoon. At 2 O'Clock as many of the
multitude as could get into the Broadway
Tabernacle gathered to hear the Grafton of
lie places were brilliantly lighted. tar barrels
blazed from the hills in the upper part of the
town, and fireworks Illuminated the heavens
until midnight The Order OF the Cincinnati
dined with the Corporation.
The celebration in 1889 was given unusual
importance by the visit of President Van
Buren, in New York City. He came by train
to Jersey City, and was escorted by a numer-
Gus committee and landed at the Battery
with much pomp and ceremony. The ship
of-war North Carolina, with her yards
manned, and some sixty steamers and other
craft, made an imposing naval display for
that time. Early in the day fete champetre
was held on Staten Island. which the Pres-
dent and Governor Seward both attended
In the afternoon President Van Buren, at
tended celebration in Chatham Chapel. and
afterward gave q reception at the Washing
ton Hotel, where he was stopping. In the
evening he dined with the Mayor and Com
mon Council.
The day was celebrated in 1912 in an
unique manner. The CroIon water was
turned into New York City through the newly
constructed aqueduct. Work had been in
progress since 1885, and the aqueduct was
not completed until 1S45, but the work was
far enough advanced to allow the water to be
turned on in 1912. The event was celebrated
by an imposing military and civic parade
seven miles in length. Country people hocked
to the city by the thousands, and while the
parade was in progress the many beautiful
fountains which had been erected Sushed forth
their crystal spray. The great Park foun-
tain, which is now a flower bed, was one Of
the sights of the city for years, and it caused
much enthusiasm when the water was first
turned on.
On July 4, 184s, the corner stone of the
Washington Monument was laid in Washing
ton with appropriate ceremonies.