The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-07-10
JULY FOURTH
OWOSSO CELEBRATED 1T IN
GRAND STYLE.
Large Crowd, Parade, OratOry, Sports,
Games and Fireworks.

In Owosso, as presumably elsewhere, or
at least wherever young America in any
considerable quantity exists, the Fourth
proved to be fully thirty hours long instead
of the ordinary day, twenty-four hours
length.
If any one slept over without hearing the
national salute at sunrise on the morning of
the Fourth, 1t was only because the auditory
nerves had grown sick and tired of carrying
reports of giant aud cannon fire-crackers to
a wearied brain and had given up noticing
such trifling vibrations In the ether long be-
fore old Sol looked out upon Owosso, upon
our nations birthday, and yet the salute
was fired, and old Sol rose on time and the
fourth was inaugurated In becoming way.
The crowd was not slow In coming and
side streets were soon well stocked with
farmers wagons and carriages, while trains
In every direction were bringing In others to
add to the crowd, and the street cars were
doing their full duty In increasing the num-
bers Of the people and In aiding them to get
where they wished to, extra service being
provided in the shape Of a new open car first
used on this occasion. The crowd was large
one from morning until after the fire works at
night, but it was also very orderly one, no
arrests being made.
Decorations in the national colors were
everywhere in evidence, the electric street
lamps being utilized in very pretty and
effective manner, by draping bunting from
them down in four different directions to
the sides of the streets below. The bridges
also came in for their share of the tri-colored
clothing, while the city's stock of national
flags was all on exhibition. A large ban
ner, carrying the key to the city, was hung
over Washington street and welcomed all
here, while the usual number of signs and
banners directed the people to the various
places where meals were provided. Stores
and dwelling houses showed their colors
and an electrical curiosity, exhibited by the
Owosso Electric Light Co., over Thompson's
hardware, attracted much attention.
THE PARADE.
If any one had anticipated that the parade
would be as much behind time as parades
usually are and so deferred getting into a
position to watch its passage, they were dis
appointed by missing part or all of it, for
the characteristic energy with which the
entire celebration was gotten up, was car
ried into the assembling and starting of
the parade.
While there have been larger parades, in
Owosso, there has been none which for its
size was more attractlvely gotten up or was
more pleasing to look at.
The president of the day, Chas. W.
Parker, accompanied by his family, rode in
carriage, leading the procession over the
line of march as previously outlined. The
city band led the procession, so far as music
was concerned, making an unusually neat
appearance in their new uniforms and new
white caps, bearing the word "Owosso," in
gold.S The rawest recruit could keep step
w ehOii huolCs put liOhi bhO UCalih6 VI
Company G, which followed next in order,
any one could see that while the company
could keep step and time with no music at
all, an additional elasticity was infused into
their steps and a more soldierly bearing
than ever was manifest and that they ap-
peared as veterans, without raw recruit
among them.
Owosso lodge A. o. u. W., deserves
much commendation for the enterprise they
displayed In mounting so large part OF
their membership as they did. They had
about seventy men, mounted on horse and
they rode well too. A number of others
marched on foot. The lodge secured first
prize for their horseback riders.
The fire department occupied the next
place In the line with hose truck, hook and
ladder truck and fire engine. The boys
turned out in force and their turn out was
well decorated.
The Ovid band, in their bright red coats,
held forth next and Immediately preceded
two floats, representing the states. The
first was pyramid of little girls, each wav.
ing flag with the name of state on it.
and Miss Mable Parker, representing the
goddess of liberty. The second float wa:
full of Uncle Sans boys. Uucle Sam him
self was there and his boys were all dressed
after his own peculiar style, while the tir
horns, with which they were armed, wer,
also an American product.
The l.. o. T. M. floats attracted mucl
favorable comment, the ladies making
very attractive appearance in their morta
board hats, reminding an observer of
group of college girls.
The Star Of Hope Rebekah lodge made
very pretty display. An eastern scene