Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-05
THE NATIONS NATAL DAY
Birmingham SurpasSeS Herself
 in the Celebration Thereof
IN PURSUIT OF PLEASURE
Thousands Thronged the Resorts Hereabouts' Transportation Lines Taxed to Their
 Utmost-Two Shadows Fall.

attended the various picnics and celebra- tions at the resorts in and near Birmng- ham yesterday. The East Lake North Birmingham and Highland Avenue and Belt trains were taxed almost to their capacity to carry the great throngs of humanity that desired to go to the differ ent places. It is estimated that at least 25.000 people rode on the trains of those three roads yesterday to and from East Lake, North Birmingham and Lakeview. Trains on the Ensley railroad, the Besse- mer and Birmingham. the Bessemer, Powderly and Birmingham and all the electric lines were crowded all day long, and the streets were thronged with vis- itors to the city All the trains coming into the city on the various lines entering Birmingham in the forenoon brought great numbers of people from the neigh boring towns
 The Fourth of July has never before been so generally observed in Bisning- ham, as il, was yesterday.
 The great majority of the stores closed their doors in the afternoon to give their employees a chance to get out for a breath of fresh air and to partici- pate in the general festivities of the day.
 It is remarkable that of all the vast crowd that thronged the city and sub urban resorts yesterday and Of the packed condition of the cars only two accidents, detailed elsewhere, occurred. That is record of which the managers and employees of the dummy and electric lines may well feel proud. The two ac- cidents that did occur were due solely to the recklessness of the parties who were killed, and no blame attaches to any one else.
 It was a great day in Birmingham, but Birmingham never does anything by halves. When she determines to do anything she knows no such word as fail and as she does in business so in pleasure.
 The Day We Celebrate.
 It was just 119 years ago yesterday that the declaration of independence was signed and the people of the United States became a free and independent people, A noble band of 100000 people scattered along the Atlantic coast, tired and sick of English oppression, deter mined to break the shaekles that bound them to the mother country. They all heartily echoed the sentiment, Give me liberty or give me death. uttered by the fiery and daunt1ess Patrick Henry.
 One hundred and eighteen times since that glorious day heve the people of this free American republic done honor to their forefathers for their loyalty and devotion to the cause of liberty.
 The day has not been much observed in the south until the last few years, but each recurring Fourth now increases the love for America and American institu- tions, and adds lustre to the glorious achievements beginning with the Fourth of July, 1776 Year by year the people of this country are coming, to observe the day more generally. The battles of the revolutionary war are fought over and the Ruler of the Universe thanked for the courage and wisdom of the great men who founded this government.
 At Lakeview.
 Lakeview pavilion and park were crowded nearly all day and until a late hour last night with men and women, who had gone there to witness the con and the other amusements The celebra- tion was under the auspices of Division No. 2, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, who had spared nothing that would lend to the interest and success of the day. Every Highland Avenue and Belt train unloaded hundreds of people at the lake during the afternoon and early night, and none were there who failed to enjoy themselves.
 The winners in the prize contests were as follows:
 Bicycle race for boys-Won by Ed Crowley, who received bicycle lamp from Moore. Moore &s Handley.
 Foot race for girls-Ellie Foster won the race and was presented with hand some prize from H. c. Abbott & Go.
 Three legged race-Joe Dunnavent and Manse Glass were the successful contest ants. Tom Rensford presented them with a box of fine cigars.
 The potato race was won by Joe Dun haven't. The prize was a baseball from the Birmingham Arms company.
 One hundred yard foot race for men. won by Charles Comstock prize, box ci- gars from Shaver & Go.
 For the lady that keeps from talking or smiling the longest Miss Beulah Dor sey won this prize which was hand some fan from Loveman, Jaros 6 Co. She held out for twenty minutes. and had not smiled or spoken when the judges awarded her the prize.
 Prettiest baby from 1 to years old; in this contest a handsome prize was awarded Selna Wheeler, little daughter of Tom Wheeler.
 prettiest girl from to F years old the judges awarded this prize to Annie Eggler daughter of c. F. Eggler.
 Throwing sixteen-pound hammer; prize won by Jim Smiley.
 The baseball game played at the park between the Fair and Square and Ala bama Great Southern teams resulted in a victory for the former by a score of IS to 5. Solon Jacobs umpireti the game.
 From every standpoint the picnic was great success, and the Knights of Pythias are to be congratulated on the excellent manner in which they enter tained those who went out to Lakeview yesterday and last night.
 Mason's band had been secured by the committee. and dispensed music in the pavilion throughout the afternoon and evening.
 At East Lake.
 The clerks celebration of the Fourth at East Lake was by far the grendest and most successful of the kind held here in years. Six trains made up of four to six coaches each from 12 o'clock yesterday handled GOO people, and it can be said to the credit of Superintend- ent J. B. McCIary that >they were handled in good shape. Two months ago, when the Clerks Benevolent Protec- tive association was formed here. it was looked upon as being small order and not having much influence but yester- days proceedings at East Lake put a different phase on the matter. It showed what could be done by the boys, and