Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-07-04

really enjoyed the day. They danced
right merrily until well On toward mid
night. when the candles, the musicians
and the dancers were all exhausted.
In the 30's there was change in the
method CT celebrating the fourth. Tbe
country was more prosperous, and It's
patriotism had taken a more vainglo-
rious turn. The town Of NcN'burg-on-
the-Hudson gave a great fourth Of
July celebration in the year 1881. 1t
was gotten up by an ambitious trades
man who had contracted the political
fever, and desired to represent mis- dis
trict in congress. He subscribed $50
to celebration fund, and after enlist
ing all the ladies OF the place In the
scheme he promised to make good any
amount that might be needed after the
other townspeople had been canvassed
for contributions.
The ladies began the work weeks he
fore the fourth. Committees were ap
pointed, and each member was to call
upon a certain number of her friends
for contributions. One lady promised
to contribute "a large loaf of block
cake nicely frosted for the center of
the main table, two large boiled hams
and six dozen soda biscuits" Further
more, she said she would help set the
tables and give the use Of her silver
spoons and cake basket. This was a
prize contribution. Another lady
whose husband had already subscribed
$40 promised for the event six loaves
of cake, six dozen biscuits and also
enough cut flowers from her garden to
decorate the tables. She also rendered
the services of her coachman for the
day and the use OF her farm horses for
conveying the provisions to the ban
quet grounds, grove about two miles
from the village.
Powder was purchased by the ambi-
tious politician, and the village cannon
was shot off at regular intervals during
the morning of the fourth. He also
gave small change to the boys of the
town, and this was used to buy pepper
mint candy and gingerbread. Fire
crackers We're very expensive things
then, and few boys cared to indulge IN
the luxury IF using them even If they
had the financial means.
In the mcrniEg all the people VINO
had promised provisions had them
carried to the vestibule Of the church,
w3ich was used as a depot on that
day. The streets leading to the church
were teemiDg that morning with SER
wants and housewives, all carrying
baskets filed with the good things.
From the church they We're carted to
the grove had been completed, and the
young ladies and young men were busy
making and setting the rude tables,
also place for the orator of the day.
The latter had been invited from a
neighboring town because of his wide
repute for eloquence. He was a young
man, who wore his hair long and af-
fected an artistic Indifference to the
common affairs of life. He was also
eccentric in his dress, and in ordinary
conversation used nothing but the most
ponderous language. He was regarded
as one Of the coming men of the day
by the community and himself
AT midday all the preparations at
the grove had been completed, and the
people gathered at the church for the
grand procession to the festival place.
A band composed Of the young men of
the village led the way. followed by
the three finest eqnipages TO be had,
in which sat the aged Revolutionary
heroes The 1912 veterans marched
next, and then came all kinds of We
hicles, from the heavy farm wagon to-
the light buggy, containing the chill.
dren and the very old folks. All the
others walked, and to the mixed time
of the band made fine showing.