Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-07-11
Fourth OF July in the "West End

Fourth of July came, AMI the people
of the "West End" .'came out to meet
him" Nor was the .sWest End" alone
represented; they came up the valleys
and over the hills from all directions.
east end of Dent, and the south end of
Crawford. as we'll as from the west end
of Iron, patriotic citizens assembled at
Red Point to celebrate the 10th ami
versary of the birthday of our Nation.
Unlike many Fourth of July picnics.
the chief object of this gathering was
to celebrate the day. Instead of spend
ing the day in dancing gambling, and
carousing. the people, with few ex-
ceptions, came with a higher, holier,
grander object in view. They came to
hear and to see and not to be heard
and seen. The committees intention
was. if possible, to make the picnic
neither a mOney-making nor money
losing scheme; and, as an expensive
display of fireworks was to be given,
no free dinner was to be furnished.
Many came in the forenoon and en-
jOyed their dinner on the grounds; but,
as the celebration proper did not be-
gin till 2 O'Clock P. NJ, a large num-
Der did not arrive till after noon.
The chief features of the celebration
were the literary programme in the
afternoon and the display of of fire.
works at night.
Promptly at the time appointed for the
rendition of the programme, the ora
tors and singers arranged themselves
on the platform in front of large au-
dience anxiously awaiting them. The
programme was confined exclusively
to the younger talent of our commun.-
ty. The assemblage was called to Or
der by Mr.. j. N. Stuart chairman, who.
in a few brief and appropriate remarks,
explained the subject of the meeting.
and then proceeded to announce the
exercises, which were as follows:
MY Country Ills of thee' rang out
from the choir. filling each patriotic
heart with renewed love for his ma
tive land.
.sAn Appeal for the Declaration, :"
one of the grandest speeches ever de-
livered by s.America's Greatest Ora
tor" was acclaimed by Mr.. T. H.
Cureton. His round. clear voice sent
those words of burning eloquence
straight to the heart of every listener.
The closing words. Independence noaO,
and INDEPENDENCE FOREVER were APP
propriately followed by the Declare
ton of Independence. read by Mr.. w.
d. Bay. His earnest, expressive tone,
together with his distinct enunciation,
set clearly before every mind the great
principles of that wonderful document.
The Red. White, and Blue" Sc
mi-chorus. led by Prof. G. B. Thomas,
was a fitting tribute to the '.Stars and
Stripes" that waved above our heads.
Prof. Frederick Cureton. b. S. D., a
| graduate of the State Normal School
at Cape Girardeau. of the class of '95,
and principal of the Millersville Mis-
souri, High School, was next introduce
ed. who delivered an able, patriotic
and scholarly address on the subject.
Life Among the Ozarks." For over
twenty minutes he discussed, in plain.
simple terms. the advantages and dis
advantages of living among his native
| hills. His strong, melOdious voice
and graceful gestures set of more for
chilly the lofty sentiment which his
| words expressed. We feel proud of
our young orator. and We would not
hesitate to array him in contest with
the best talent which our county at
| fords.
| 1.-The Old Folks at Home" calmly
sung by the choir. perfectly rehearsed
the sentiments of the above address.
The patriotic speaker of the day,
Prof. G. B. Thomas. A. B.. a graduate
of the Steelville Normal School and
Business Institute. and principal of
the Mountain View Seminary, located
at Lesterville. No., delivered an ele-
CANT and eloquent Grafton of fifteen
minutes on the subject, 'sOur Country. !"
This great theme of all themes was
ably handled by our young friend from
Crawford county. His deep. sonorous
voice. together with his graphic, fore
ible gestures. firmly impressed upon
the minds of his hearers, the magnifi-
] cent picture of America-past, present