Evening journal., 1897-07-06
WASN'T so GLORIOUS.
"Fourth" Passed Almost Un-
observed in Wilmington.
PLENTY OF NOISE AND FIREWORKS

ROLLGCKING SHOOTTNG-CRACK-
ER-FEw SERIOUS ACCIDENTS
AND NO FIRES.
Wilmington's celebration Of the great
national holiday was not marked by
"the solemn acts OF devotion to AL
mighty God" or the "pomp and pa
rade" which John Adams advocated in
writing to his wife Abigail in 1916
Contrary to all expectations. there
was net the usual Fourth of July
shower" which is so apt to spoil finery
and temper, and though the heat was
intense, there was a brisk breeze. and
altogether the day was an ideal one.
That the city's streets were livelier
than usual there is no doubt. This
holds good with the exception OF Mar
ket street, which seemed fairly desert
ed, except for the crowded street cars.
In the residential parts Of the city front
pOrches and pavements were gay with
folk in holiday attire.
There was plenty of noise. From
midnight on Sunday to long after that
hour this morning there was an inces-
SAINT booming and cracking and sizzling.
Not only the small boy was evident in
this delectable sport, but those grown
to mans estate, and still others with
hOary boards, who took advantage OF
the glorious occasion to burn their
fingers, set distracted their friends with
nerves and otherwise indulge in the
joys of boyhood. II is safe TO venture,
too, that the small girl sent up as much
money in smoke and noise as her ire
pressible brother.
The parks were the Meccas OF most
people There were numerous family
parties along the Brandywine-those
who wished to spend a cool, quiet day
away from the noise and heat of the
city. But the ubiquitous fire-cracker
found its way there, even. Thousands
visited the other parks, and the street
car companies and amusement men
blessed the day for the nickels that
poured into their tills. Travel was also
heavy over the steamboat and railroad
lines.
There was remarkably little disorder.
Less drunkenness was seen. and there
were few arrests. The firemen were
already for service. The firemen were
/ to do, being called out for only small
and early" affairs.
Last night the city was literally
ablaze with slKy-rockets, Roman can
dies and red FIRE The view was par
ticularly pretty from the river. There
were toy balloons galore, to say nothing
of the shrieking pin-wheels, "chasers
and flower-pots. The town was full OF
smoke.
The Knights Of ST. Hedwig gWe 9
| picnic yesterday in Langs grove.
M L, -
on the Brandywine gave picnic yes
terday in the woods near the church.
Rev w. J. Birmingham, pastor OF the
church, made an address.
There were several fine displays Of
fireworks at Gordon Heights by Will
mington families who are spending the
Summer there.
ACCIDENTS OF THE DAY.
The day was ushered in and ushered
out with accidents. Several Of these
were serious, but in the main were mol
of a dangerous character Most OF the
unfOrtunates were children.
Albert Rutter, the 7-year-old son ol
George Rutter, of No. 341 Townsenc
street, had his left eye blown out by al
explosion of a cannon cracker whicf
he held too near his face. DR.. II. w
| Bryan attended to his injuries.
Paul Davis. aged S years, living OF
West street above Second. may die, thu
result of being burned by a piece o
L punk Young Davis was celebrating
the Fourth all to himself. when a.. larg'
. boy came along and set fire to hi
jacket The little fellow was unaware
that his jacket was burning, and befor'
it could be extinguished parts of hi
. body were burned DIT. Baird attende'
him.
George Robinson. aged 13 years, goe
about with one eye, the result OF
- powder explosion. The boy had cnn
p non in one hand and some powder II
r the other Someone came along ant
D threw a match in the powder. II ex
. ploded and the lad had his face an
head burned He lives at No 800 Ship
. ley street. Dr. Pierce attended him.
Elsie Todd. aged u years. of No. 40
e Madison street, was burned last nigh
t by the explosion of Roman candle.
- Frank McGonigle, living on DuPOn
4 street near Delaware avenue, was hit il
the head by a tin can and badly cui
McGonigle put a large shooting cracke
under the can and before he could reac
safe distance the can struck him o.
! the head. DR.. J. Paul Lukens attende
Y him.
Walter r. Coale had his hand badl
injured last night by the explosion Of
, fire-cracker.
Frank McClintock, OF No. 1901 Wes
= Eighth street, had his face injured b
the premature explosion Of large fire
cracker.
FIRES OF THE DAY.
The alarm Of fire yesterday afternOo
p from box 1l5, was in an Clubhouse a
No. 500 Kirkwood street. No damag
= was done.
y Last night some elebrators threw
l. lighted shooting cracker on the roof {
II Joseph Cavender's home, No. 103 WeS
S Ninth street. An alarm was sent in I
II the Friendship engine house. and th
e hose carriage responded. When III
2 flremen arrived one of them insiste
& on flooding the house with water, de-
II pite Chief Welde's orders to the col
,e trary.
n There was so much noise that Office
Massey sent in an alarm, and the di
o trict engines responded. They wei
not needed. The blaze was eXtinguisl