Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-07-06
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH.
CELEBRATED ROYALTY IN
SNOW HILL.

CELEBRATED KON ALLY IN
SNOW HILL.
Riverside Park Scene ofFcstiy-
ity. Odd Fellows Parade.
Music and Speeches.
The ringing of church bells, blow
ing of whistles, firing OF crackers and
booming of cannon at four o'clock on
Thursday morning, when many OF our
people were sleeping soundly, was the
greeting given the great and glorious
Fourth OF July. 1895, the celebration
of which in this town has been rarely,
il ever before, excelled. These we're
the opening performances that awak-
ened our people from their slumbers,
and caused many window to be
thrown up with the expectation of
hearing the cry Of fire which usually
accompanies such. To the surprise of
those Unexpectedly called out they
soon learned that it meant joyful
Fourth, and an enthusiastic celebra-
ton OF the day. Business was sus-
pended, the stores, bank, cour. house
and postofiice were closed and our
people all joined in making the day
one of happiness. Those who took no
part in the proceedings assisted others
in preparation and execution OF theirs.
At an early hour citizens from all
sections of the surrounding county be-
gan to arrive in town and at | 0 o'clock
the masked parade (?) formed and
marched through the town. After
parading the principal streets the
masqueraders halted in front of Mr..
Elmo Johnson's store where the Judges,
Messrs. John James Collins, James $.
Price and ID. II. Lewis, distributed the
prizes Us follows: For the best mask
Mr.. Mack Malone got silver cup
Charles Hill, for second best, silk UNI
brella and for the most comical cos
tune a nice derby hat was awarded to
Mr.. Saunders Carey. The parade was
not success for the reason that no
one took the lead. 1t was no part of
the days proceedings as arranged by
the Odd Fellows, and hence none of
that Order were interested in its sue
cess or failure.
The afternoon and evening was the
time set apart for the benefit of Ocean
Lodge, and its members had every
thing in readiness for the occasion.
One hundred and thirty gallons of the
hest ice cream to be had, the largest
display of fireworks ever exhibited in
the town, learned orator, brass
band, and plenty of pretty girls TO wait
on their friends, were the preparations
in waiting for the crowd Promptly
at o'clock the Odd Fellows parade
formed at the Hall and marched to
Riverside Park, the scene of festivi-
ties, keeping step TO patriotic tunes
rendered by the Cecilian, the best
band our town ever had, which led the
way. The Band, speaker and officers
wer eseated in the pavilion. and the
crowd on seats arranged under the
shade trees in the Park. Several APP
propriate airs were rendered by the
band. These completed, Past Grand
l. I. Matthews introduced Rev. Ralph
Coursey who sang THE Star Spangled
Banner" in his most superb manner.
Mr. Coursey has a most excellent
voice, and his rendition Of this national
anthem was simply grand. Miss Edna
Hudson presided at the organ while
Mr.. Coursey sang. She has too good
Il reputation for musical talent to need
commentator. and the music for
which every Odd Fellow feels greatful
to her was in perfect accord with the
singing.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. j.
L. Nicholson of the NJ. +. Church,
after which the speaker Of the day,
Rev. f. c. MacNichol, of Pocomoke
City, was introduced. His address
was able and patriotic. 1t was pro-
nounced by everone "the best ever de-
livered in this town ON such an occa-
sion The Odd Fellows did well in
their selection of Il speaker for no one
could have better satisfied the public
than he did
Music was then discoursed and ice
cream served until about night by the
ladies of our town who kindly volun-
teered their services. A rain
storm dispersed the crowd, which was
invited to return after tea to McAllen's
Hall. This it did in such proportions
rs to make it impossible 10 gain adj
mission. The house and stairway be-
ing damned with people, and the storm
having passed over, it was decided to
return to the Park, to which the band
led the way. Here an entertaining
and very enjoyable concert by the
Emerson Quartette was completed.
Ice cream was again the order of the
day and though it was cool and damp,
the tables were kept full till halfpast
ten, when the fireworks display was
begun, and ended the program for the
Fourth with balloon ascension which
was witnessed by the crowd who re
manned to see the days work COM
pleted. About thirty gallons of cream
were left, and the festival was contin.
ued last evening when it was disposed
of.
July was a day that will ever be
remembered by the people in general,
and every member of Ocean Lodge
|. o. o. F. Of Snow Hill in particular.
BY the latter especially for the kind
treatment accorded them by the good
people of the town and county who
aided them in every possible way to
make their effort success.
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