The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-07-07
AT PADDOCK'S LAKE.
OLD SETTLERS CELEBRATE THE
FOURTH.
GRAFTON BY L. G. BoHMRICH.
Crowd of over -Four Thousand People
Attend and Join Heartily in Singing
the National Anthems Patriotic
Speeches by the Little ones.

The Fourth was ushered in at the
secretary's residence, Woodwork, with
the aid of shot gun, huge fire crackers
and a farm dinner bell. At the earliest
peep of dawn the star spangled banner
could be seen floating above the high
est point of the roof.
At Paddock's Lake the people began
to come early and, as is usual on these
patriotic events young America was
numerous and to the fore. 1t is
thing to rejoice over that our little boys
and little girls have so intelligent a
conception of patriotism, and are so
enthusiastic and expressive.
From early dawn till night the
weather was altogether delightful.
There was just enough sunshine to
make you enjoy the shade; and if you
had too much shade you could easily
step where the sunshine frightened the
ground. The gentle breeze was just
right for enjoyment and could not have
been more nicely adjusted to promote
feelings of pleasure.
As the sun rose higher in the clear
sky the people came more and faster.
It was evident from early dawn that
we were to be favored with one of the
loveliest days. By noon the gathering
was estimated to number three to four
thousand people. They were thick
upon the ground in whatever direction
you might look. The Rawson comet
band arrived early and discoursed good
music, and often, and soon made them
selves favorites OF the people of Kenosha
county.
The Ladies Aid society of Salem and
their allies served an excellent and
substantial dinner and promptly on
time.
At exactly 1915, as announced on
the program, the band took their seats
in the pavilion and played selection
and the large building filled as if by
magic until there was a sea of human
eyes and pleased faces. Rev. Henry
L. Brown, Of SOmers, offered a fer7ent
and patriotic prayer. Harriet Harding,
seven years old, sang pretty song, in
which the liberty of Cuba was prayed
for and prophesied. She carried in
her right hand a United States flag
and in her left the flag of Cuba; both
were effectively used in her gestures.
This little Miss has the distinction of
having sung before President Mckinley
and received his hearty applause. She
has clear voice and distinct enuncia-
ton. The next number on the program
was the singing of the Star Spangled
Banner. The volunteer choir occupied
the largest half of the rostrum and led
the singing.
One hundred books containing the
four songs on the program were dis
tributed among the audience. The
singing was soul stirring and inspiring
and was accompanied by one of the
Misses Rawson on the piano, a Kimball
piano, too. Next on the program was
a patriotic recitation by Perdita Dewey
of Kenosha, who, by the way, is rela
tive of the now famous Commodore
George Dewey. Perdita gave her
recitation in pleasing manner. Her
gestures were easy, graceful and ap-
propriate and she understood the
meaning of the words she repeated.
Strength of voice will come with years
and training.
The choir now rendered the Red,
White and Blue, with piano accompan-
iment. The patriotic recitation by
Master Munson Paddock followed.
This GRAFTON is masterpiece, and the
boy shows both talent and training in
the art Of elocution. He speaks like
one having a full understanding of the
mighty import Of the sentences he is
His gestures are forceable
and artistic. The efforts of these three
young Americas were appreciated and
warmly applauded. The next number
on the program was the song, March
ing Through Georgia, which the choir
gave with spirit, accompanied by the
piano. Then came the chief feature of
the event, the Grafton by Louis G..
Bohmrich, speaker of the day.
Mr. Bohmrich had the disadvantage
of not being widely known in his own
county, and illustrates in a measure,
perhaps, the proverb: A prophet is not
without honor save in his own country.
The secretary was asked more than
once if the chosen speaker of the day
was sufficient for the important duty
devolving on him. And it was only
the confidence the members of the club
had in the secretary that allayed a
large anxiety.
However, Mr.. Bohmrich had not
spoken very long before he captured
his audience with his commanding
eloquence and deeply patriotic utter
ances, He held their close attention