Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-05
FOURTH Of JULY.
THE LARGEST, BEST AND MOST
COMPLETE CELEBRATION EVER
HELD INTHE TWIN CITIES.
A rlodei Day, Large Crowds and a
Glorious Time.

the nations birthday. As early as
! I a. m. wagon loads of suburban
visitors began to arrive and early
morning trains were filed with people
bound to do honor to the occasion.
The a. m. train on the Valley division
of the c. NJ. & st. P r. r. brought
delegations from New La bon, Necedah,
Babcock and intervening points to
swell the crowds that by nine O'Clock
thronged the streets.
At 9 a. n. a procession formed in
front of City Hall and marched to the
Centalia High School grounds where
appropriate exercises were held. The
parade, in which nearly all of our
principe business houses were repre-
scented, was taking feature and one Of
the most interesting sights Of the day.
The floats were Elarvels Of beauty and
ingenuity and surpassed all expectations,
All were worthy Of special mention if
we could devote the time and space,
and showed a care and desire on the
part of their respective designers to do
their best which was highly commend
able. Perhaps one of the ''foxiest"
floats in line was that of Doud q Muir
representing a cage of lions with their
Kaffir trainer. Little Kirk Muir was
| the Kaffir and the tame foxes in Muir's
menagerie were the lions. W. Gross q
Co. had an original and unique get up,
as did also the Centralia Lumber Co.,
! John Parrish Lumber Co., Z. S. EX-
press Co.; Mcneil the photographer;
R. A. Havenor; Spaford, Cole & Lipke;
Chas. Lutz; Twin City Brewery; John
son, Hill & Co.; VIII Reeves; Centralia
Hardware Co.; Natwick and Bogoger,
furniture dealers; and many more. The
procession was headed by Capt. j. L..
Cotey, marshal Of the day, followed by
the Twin City Band, floats and about so
loads of machinery sold to as many
farmers by the Centralia Hardware Co.
When the parade reached the school
grounds the program was carried out
under century old pines, whose sturdy
bearing lent effectiveness and soiemnity
to the patriotic scene. On a raised
platform carpeted and nicely decorated
were seated Mayors NeIs Johnson, Of
Centralia, and f. l.. Tibbits, Of Grand
Rapids; Hon. Byron B. Park, of Stevens
Point, orator Of the day; Rev. Wal.
KiIburne, chaplain; Mrs. J. L. Dugas,
reader of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence; and Mr.. j. L. Dugas.
Mr.. Parks address was a mastery
exhibition of forensic ability. He began
by comparing patriotism in nation to
love in household and considered it
the corner stone of harmonious success.
His central thought was the equality of
man. He drew a vivid word picture
contrasting ancient times and rule with
present government; eulogized law and
civilization, tracing its evolution down
through the ages since Rome was the
then representative of civilization, to
the coming of Christ with the gospel OF
humanity and equal rights; the dis
cOvery Of America, the Declaration OF
and characterized Lincoln's life and
martyrdom the elimination of the
great principle of equality of man as
first taught by the ''gentle Nazarene."
In glowing words he pictured the
: nations shame as exemplifed by slavery
wherein our boosted equality was but
an empty name and gloried in Om
cOnQuering it and all forms Of tyranny
He denounced Anarchy, paying tribute
! to the American laborer and showed the
absurdities of our system of 1mmigra
ton. The address was listened to Will
wrapt attention throughout and the
G. A. r. showed their appreciation
when "Old Glory" and ''boys in blue
were upheld.
IN THE AFTERNOON
The days program was continued OF
the Fair Grounds where horse racing
bicycle racing and ball game amused
the large crowds which had gathered
until $50 p. m. The two mile bicycle
race, in which much interest haC
centered, was won by Ole Virum, O.
Stevens Point. The quarter mile bicycle
race for boys under II was won by
Charles Briere.
The ball game between New Lisbon
and Twin City was very much of a snap
for the home team though not charac.
terized by especially fine work OIL
either side. The several errors made
by our boys gave Lisbon a number o.
i, unearned runs, but served to keep the
score close for a while thus holding
the interest of the crowds Game
ended II to II in favor of Twin CITY.
The entire afternoon sports were
highly satisfactory and the general
comment is that they were far ahead OF
those of previous years.
IN THE EVENING.
Soon after supper passageway over
the Twin City Bridge Was almost
:, blocked 10y anxious crowds who
gathered to witness the river races
and the fireworks display, while the
people for long distance. The double
pretty one and closely contested all the
way. 1t was won by Guy and James
Nash, with Frank PomalnviIle and E.
| II. LaNigne second by just a few feet.
The tub race furnished no end of
amusement aud was won by johnny
= Belanger with Frank ClOsuit second.
In the swimming race Dave GriguOn
was first man. The fireworks from the