, 1896-07-06
IT WAS A HUMMER.
LARAMIE'S CELEBRATION THE
BEST EVER HELD IN
THE STATE.
Laramie Was One Continuous
Round Of Pleasure-Grand Parade
Fast Time at Races-Great Pyro-

The Fourth in the Gem City was all
that could have been desired. 1t was
balmy air and gorgeous sunshine from
daylight till dark, and the celebration
passed off without an accident to mar
the pleasures OF the occasion.
lust as soon as THE hour OF midnight
had passed and it could be called the
Fourth, there was the most unearthly
din that has been heard for years.
Whistles and bells awoke the town,
and from that time on the entire popu-
lation had restless slumber, on account
OF the giant crackers and other mod
ern pleasures Of young America.
At sunrise 10 guns were fired by the
university cadets. For some reason the
Calithumpian parade did not material
iZe to any great extent. the many gro
tesque figures seen upon the streets
failing to organize into a column,
seeming to prefer to go it alone about
the city.
The main parade was formed at $50,
under the command of Marshal
Gramm. who had returned to the city
for the purpose OF taking charge OF the
days sports and who performed his
duties with hat old-time fire and vigor
so acceptable to all. The parade was a
magnificent affair. Seventy horse
men were in line. the Patriotic Sons Of
America turning out sc under the eff
fcient command of Marshal Charles
iund. and the cowboys a like number
commanded by Johnny Harding. The
latter were not quite so petty as the
Sons. but they were better horsemen
and twice as noisy.
The floats. representing the As states,
were beautiful. Three huge dray
wagons had been draped in a tasteful
manner. The first, bearing a number
Of ladies Of the city dressed in blue and
white. represented the older states,
Grandma Nottage representing Vir-
ginia: the second. bearing young ladies,
representing the newer states. and the
third. bearing young girls. represented
the younger. In the latter stood Baby
Northrup, representing Baby Utah. and
Baby DeForest representing Baby Wy
oming. AS the parade passed through
the streets the crowd was entertained
by patriotic airs from the combined
voices Of the three floats.
The fire department turned out in
force and presented a good appearance.
The steamer was a glittering sheen,
not only rejecting the sunlight but al
so great credit upon the engineer for
the manner in which it is kept.
The rear Of the parade was brought
up by a turnout that was really the hit
Of the whole affair, from a comical
point OF view. Messrs. Palmer. Low
EFT. Foster and Fred Nash, in colored
mems attire, had decorated a chariot,
drawn by three horses. in a most gor-
geous and assisted in the must
cal portion Of the procession with
stringed instruments.
At the city park President Peabody
of the board Of trade acted as master OF
ceremonies. After a song. Marching
Through Georgia" the Rev. N. s. Sage
delivered an eloquent appeal to the
throne of grace. The declaration OF
independence was read by Mr.. Samuel
Wilson In a manner which done the
young student proud. Then followed
the Grafton of fthe day by Mr.. c. P,
Arnold, who spoke as follows:
MR.. ARNOLD'S GRAFTON.
This is the Fourth OF July. This is
our country's birthday: OUR country's
birthday. On this day 120 years age
the United States was born. On this
day 120 ear ago the representatives
of the Is original colonies in congress
assembled, gave to the world the De-
claration Of Independence. and launch
ed upon the foods Of time the proudest
ship that floats. One hundred and
twenty years ago this day. in the after
noon at the hour Of 4. the white-haired
sexton in the old Quaker town, clutch