The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-02
THENATION'S NATAL DAY
OBSERVATIONS WILL PRACTICALLY
EXTEND OVER THREE DAYS.
Old Soldiers at Garfield Park Monday
Athletic Features on Monday
AT State Institutions.


The celebration of the Fourth of July this
year promises to be an suspicious one in
Indianapolis. The old spirit of patriotic dis
play has been revived and, while the new
idea of the Fourth being day for athletic
sports will still be prominent, there will
also be considerable effort made to bring
out the patriotic side in the seasons cele-
bratiOn 1t is indeed a season of celebration
this year as it will extend over a period
of three days. The small boys custom of
beginning the celebration of the Fourth
about week in advance and continuing
it as long he can buy firecrackers is in
evidence
The National Union Soldiers and Sailors
Mutual League will take the lead in the
celebration of Monday, the legal day, in a
picnic at Garfield Park, continuing all day
Monday. This organization was begun in
Marion county in 1894 and is composed of
members of all the Grand Army posts and
other soldier organizations. 1t is the politi-
cal working organization OF the old soldiers
though it does not deal in partisan politics.
1t IS strong organization, having the sup
port of all the other soldier societies. The
celebration Monday will be primarily an
old-fashioned basket picnic for families.
of holding it on account of it's natural
beauty and the ease with which it may be
reached. The park commissioners have
granted the use of the park and are doing
all in their power to aid the old soldiers in
making the celebration one worthy of the
day. The board has erected a handsome
new flag staff and about this a prominent
feature of the day will occur.
The celebration on the ground will be
under the personal direction of the follow
ing persons: George c. Webster, master of
ceremonies; b. A Richardson. chief mar
and r. w. S. Belcher, musical director
The committee on arrangements held a final
meeting yesterday and disposed of all the
mittee is composed of c. +. Merrifeld,
CHAIRMAN; Thomas Hanna, II. B. Snyder
J. Z. White, r. w. Medkirk and w. H
Lester. The following is the complete pro-
gramme of the day:
a. m.-Assembiy of the people, family
reunions and basket dinner
1:15 p. m.-Salute, Battery A. First Artil-
lery.
PIP, m.-Exercises at the grand stand, in
Lutheran Church, "Star-spangled Banner
Second Regiment Band; raising flag read
ing Declaration of Independence, Comrade
William H. Lester; Columbia Gem of the
Ocean," choir and Second Regiment Band:
address. Mayor Thomas Taggart; SOLO
Harry Ballard words by c.. +. Merrifeld
grafton, Governor James A. Mount: song
(selected), Glee Club: America" Second
Regiment Band and audience; intermission
National Guard.
$50 p. m.-Grand dress parade by old
soldiers, National Guard, Sons of Veterans
Patriotic Sons of America, Zouaves. Rifles
Knights of Pythias, Patriarchs Militant
Boys Brigade and all the military and
semi-mlitary organizations present; taps
and firing of evening gun by German Vet
Grams Association.
AT STATE INSTITUTIONS.
At the state institutions the day will be
observed appropriately. There will be two
days celebration at the Women's Prison
and Reform School for Girls. AT o'clock
Sunday afternoon there will be services in
the chapel, consisting of patriotic songs
and sentiments an address by Superntend-
ent Kelley and talks by members of the
board of trustees. TO this meeting the pub
lie is invited. Monday will be a general holi-
day. No work will be required of the in
mates of either department and there will
be freedom from the regular restrictions
against talking, ETC. Supper on Sunday and
Monday will be served in the yards of the
respective departments.
AT the Central Hospital for the Insane
Monday Will be observed game of base
ball will be played in the morning, which
are in condition to be taken axe P' OUT s M5eo
cial dinner will be served at noon and at
2 o'clock a big celebration will be had in
the ladies' chorus. There will be the read
ing of the Declaration of Independence
songs by the chorus and by a cOlOred glee
club. trick bicycle riding and dancing The
amusements will be interspersed, a dance
occurring after each of the other numbers.
The entire programme will be carried out
by the patients. By 430 o'clock the exer-
cises will be over and then after the
patients have been given their supper the
employees will take turn al merrymak-
ing.
This is vacation time at the Institution
for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb
and the Institution for the Educati ton of
the Blind and there will of course be no
exercises at these institutions.
OF the other events coming during the
three days of festiVity the pcnics given
by the Young Mems Institute at the fair
grounds Will probably prove one of the
leading attractions 1t will occur Monday
and will continue all day. There will be
all manner of athletic sports and con-
tests, most notably the bicycle races They
will occur in the afternoon The bicycle
just opposite the fair grounds, will also be
a feature. They will consist of professional
and amateur events and will be held both
Saturday and Monday nights.
There viii be q number of more private
affairs and picnics, among them the annual
picnic of the Improved Order Knights of
Pythias. This will be held Monday at
White River Park. Another private affair
Club This year the club will be entertained
by John W. Bowlus at his home, 1908 North
Meridian street. A large number of Indian
apoliS people will probably go outside the
city for entertainment on the three days.
They have their choice of excursions to
all the surrounding large cities and numer-
Gus shorter excursions. To those inclined
for sports there will be bicycle races at
Lebanon and Shelhyville on Saturday, at
Muncie Monday and at Anderson Saturday
nd Monday