Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-07-06
A GREAT FOURTH.
Crowds are Immense. Splendid En-
tertainment. Best Celebration
for Many Years. rlcPherson
Speech Greatly Appreciated. Co
lumbar Ladies' are Congratulated.

mists they presently vanished away
and almost perfect day followed This
was all that was needed to cause Audi
bon people to have the best celebration
it has enjoyed for many years. Inc
persistent and well directed energy OF
the Columbian ladies and the co-opera
ton of our people had done the rest.
People began pouring into the town
about nine o'clock. BY $50 the parade
was being formed, but the usual delays
OF such affairs kept it from starting I'M
til after ten o'clock. First came the
band followed by carriage containing
the orator of the day and the reception
committee. Then the tremen came
with their hose cart eleciting applause
from the crowds.
Next was a beautiful canopled hoat
carving a representation OF the Column
bian library, the librarian, her desk,
books, papers, people reading etc Then
came a large float carrying the young
ladies representing the states. This was
nearly surrounded by a number of ladies
on horseback who represented some OF the
states and who acted as guards Uncle
Sam and his colonial possessions, Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippine and
Hawaiian islands followed
Then came several floats representing
business houses. j. F. Russel's was in
excellent taste and was very artistic.
The Woodmen here came with float
followed by large number or their
members marching carrying axes. Mr..
Hersman's furniture float was very
good. That Of E. Bilharz II Son was
artistically gotten up and was most APP
propriate and pretty. Musson u Son
had good float representing their coal
and grain business and the AUDUBON
REPUBLICAN had one representing the
printing business. Then came the
machinery exhibits of G. w. Hoover and
John McFarlane.
The parade added very considerably
to the amusement and entertainment OF
the crowd and received much praise.
Several Of the floats we're very beauti-
full and elaborate and required much
work, and those getting them up deserve
praise, as they helped the celebration to
it's success.
The speakers stand proved hard to
speak from, but most out door stands
are so. The program was full of merit
all the way through. Mrs II. NJ. Talbot
presided. After Mrs OverhOltZer S in
vocation and after beautiful solo by
Miss Young, Mrs. Leet read the grand
old Declaration very good and effective
ly. The song by the living flag held the
great audience spellbound. The voices
of $50 children blended in one grand
chorus easily carrying the sweet tones
OF Rally Round the Flag far out on
the air, and the splendid effect the
blending of their costumes made AS the
rows on rows built up the national flag,
these made an impression which "a
thousand people or more will long
remember. 1t was great work to organ
ize the little ones into the flag and
almost impossible to keep SO many in
order as they had to remain on the seats
SO long.
Congressman McPhersons speech fol.
lowed the flag song. 1t was full of vigor
and healthy patriotism and was very
greatly appreciated He expressed his
faith that our nation is better than ever
before. He sketched the conditions OF
the people Of this country one hundred
years ago comparing them with the
conditions now, and showed the great
improvement. He argued that as we
had successfully met and overcome eacl
opposing obstacle in our progress thai
we would overcome the difficulties con
fronting us now and those that woulC
oppose us in the future. He commended
that we are better able to withstand
difficulties now than ever before In tht
course of his speech he paid beautiful
tribute to women and the progress the,
have justly won, and incidentally to tn
ladies managing the celebration. Fl
sat down hard on those who always tinC
fault with everything and on those VIII
cry imperialism" when we are trying t.
maintain order In the Philippines Tn
speech received the closest attento
and the approval of the great audience
The after dinner programme wa
opened by the grand chorus led by Mis-
Young. OF course it was good. Tn
audience had expected much from tn
afternoon orators, and it was not di
appointed. Mr.. Cosson spoke philc
sophically and eloquently. Miss Brya
was graceful and eloquent, while NJ
Nash delivered an able address concer,
ing the club OF ladies that made IL
great celebration a success. The r
mainder of the afternoon was taken U
with sports and sociability.
Just after the supper hour and befo
the fire works the band gave an ope
air concert from the band stand, playir
number of new and popular piece
The bands work during the day W
highly appreciated by the crowds
people. The band boys are grateful f
the kind remembrances of a number
the candidates who contributed to the
pleasure and benefit
When dark came the fire wor
and steroptican pictures entertained t