Evening journal., 1899-07-05
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH.
Old Time Celebration Of
independence Day.
AN oUTBURsT OF PATRIOTISM

BRATE THE ONE HUNDRED AND
TWENTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY
OF AMERICAS FREEDOM-CANs
MONS DOOMED AND FIREWORKS
WERE PLENTIFUL-A NUMBER
OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE
DAY.
The one hundred and twenty-third
anniversary of the independence of
America was celebrated in this city
yesterday in a manner that made evil
dent the fact that Wilmingtonians are
imbued with a spirit of patriotism that
is second to none in the country.
There were, Of course, the usual num-
Der of accidents due to the careless
handling Of irecrackers and cannons,
Ibut, upon taking into consideration the
amount Of powder burned, the acci-
dents were few.
BEGAN ON THE THIRD.
The noise that denoted the celebra-
ton Of the nations independence be-
gan long before midnight on the third,
and kept up almost until last night at
midnight The principal instruments
used to enliyen the occasion we're dy-
namite torpedoes and cannon crackers.
For several hours after u o'clock Mon
day night there was a perfect hail OF
torpedoes, and the noise made by
them resembled the bombardment of
Manila. The old and the young alike
joined in the noise-making. and all
seemed bent upon getting as much
amusement as possible out Of the occa-
sion.
PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS.
There were but three public celebra-
tions Of the day in Wilmington. The
people of st. Joseph's Church on the
Brandywine held their celebration yes
terday morning and listened to an able
address by Rev. w. ]. Birmingham. The
people Of Mt. Salem NJ. E. Church also
held a celebration. and listened to an
address by Rev. J. p Otis. The Ancient
Order Of Hibernians held an all-day
celebration at Union Park, and in ad,
Idition there was the celebration OF tn,
Washington Heights Association.
The event at the Heights was one OF
the most elaborate of the kind thai
ever took place. and it is estimated
that at least $4,000 persons were con-
gregated in the vicinity Of Washington
street bridge during the ceremonies.
Hyatt's band opened the ceremonies
at $50 o'clock with a number of choice
selections, and at 7.SO O'Clock Bishor
Coleman made the invocation. After
the bishop had said the opening prayer
the flag presented to the association BY
the B. f. Shaw Company was unfurlec
by William Lackey, a G. A. r. veteran
This ceremony was followed by singine
and addresses by Hon. L. Irving Handy
and City Solicitor Henry c. Conrad.
After the speaking came the fire.
. works. They were under the super
vision Of a committee comprising Ell
wood Souder, Clarence Green, Stewar
Almond, w r. Cooley and William
Lawton and the display was made a
the northern end Of the triangle, with
in a roped space. to prevent the spec
tators straying into danger. The dis
play was elaborate and beautiful, an,
was thoroughly enjoyed by all in at
e tendance.
There were many private exhibition
of fireworks last night, and for a tim
the sky was literally alive with burst
ling rockets and balloons.
The parks about the city were crowd
t ed during the entire day, and trave
was heavier than at any other time thi
d season. Thousands of people visite
Shellpot and Brandywine Spring
+ parks, and the trolley companies wer
taxed to their capacities to carry tn
# crowds. They did carry them, however
and both the Wilmington City Railwa
= Company and the. Wilmington an
Brandywine Springs Railway Compan
:, made good records in that respect.
BUT FEW FIRES.
: Although there was an immens
: amount of powder burned during tn
}. ltwenty-four hours celebration, but fe'
fires occurred. At o'clock yesterda
: morning the stage and bar room a
Union Park caught fire in some unaC
IL countable manner and were completed
destroyed. The district fire engines II
sponded, but as there was not water
be obtained, they did not go into sci
y vice. with the exception of the chem
L lcals.
lie A fire occurred in the paint shop {
S, Richard Kelley, No. 716 Shipley stree
E. at 10 o'clock yesterday morning. bl
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