Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-07-08
HOW WE CELEBRATED.
Old rlartinsburg Observes the Natal
Day in Old Time Style.

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bration and everyone who was in town and
saw the events Of the d ay and parook Of
the hospitality Of the old burg went home
satisfied and ready and willing to come
back again to another celebration. The
day, Of course was hot but what else
could you expect on the Fourth Of july
in fact you would not want ii otherwise.
The weather man had due regard for
the request Of the committee on arrange
ments and held the rain off, although at
one time during the afternoon il looked as
If he was gong to let a little water out Of
the clouds in order that the dust on the
streets might be settled, but the clouds
and wind soon passed away and more
plcasan. evening for witnessing the sham
battle and gazing at the fire works could
not have been desired.
Never during the past decade or two has
there been as large crowd in Nartinsburg
as there was TuSsday. The only time
that anyway approaches il was the last
visit Of Barnum's circus When the great
agricultural fairs were held here some
twenty-five or more years ago, Martins
burg frequently saw crowds equal TO that
OF Yesterday, but never has the younger
generation Of the city seen SO many visi-
tors in the town at one time. They came
from all parts OF the country, in all man
ner of conveyances, every morning train
brought its quota Of visitors and by noon
ss,e al thousand people were crowding,
good naturedly up and down the main
thoroughfares of Martinsburg.
1t was a celebration OF the Glorious
Fourth, such as Martinsburg has not
known since war times and young
America for once had a conception of
the good old times that their fathers and
grandfathers SO often talk about.
Hardly had the morning dawned before
the booming of the cannon cracker was
heard and long before sun UP the echo
was reverberating from all parts of the
town. The shooting of fire crackers was
kept up all day long. Everyone who was
able did their share towards making the
celebration in this way as great a success
as possible. s-- - kssAs s''
The celebration was onethat Martins
burg could well be proud Of. With pa
rades, speeches, exhibitions and fireworks,
those who were here will long re-
IHttiiDtI TIC NIlOllOuS TOul III VI lCbJ.
Early in the morning the folks from
this and adjoining counties began to ar
rive in all kinds of vehicles. The trains
over both railroads arriving between
eight and half past eight brought crowds
such as no enc dreamed of. Over the b.
& O. came the only organizations from
out OF town that were here. the Charles
Town Band and the Citizens and hide
pendent fire companies of the same place.
These visiting organizations made pa
rade of the town and brought out the peo-
pie of the town who had as yet made
| very little show of themselves on the
streets.
At e'even O'Clock the bicycle parade,
with the awarding of prizes took place in
the Public Square. 1t was small but
some good taste was shown in some of
the decorations.
After the bicyec parade there was a
hustle for dinner. The visiting organi-
cations were rendered their dinner by the
committee of arrangements. The hotels
did big business and fed several hum
dred people. The firemen had refresh
ments at the Market House and great
many were fed there.
Before some of the visitors had gotten
their turn at the dinner table the forma-
ton of the parade of the day began.
This was the feature of the day. 1t sur
passed the expectations of all who wit
| messed it. Never had such a trades dis
play been made. Possibly more mer-
chants have been represented in a trades
display, but never have they made such
preparations as they did for yesterday s
parade.
The bands and fire companies, with
the apparatus, made a pleasing division
The Red Men in their regalia made
such a sight in the way ofa costumed and
mounted organization as has never been
seen in Martinsburg. The floats were
many and some of them artistic. The
wholesale merchants all made most excel
lent displays.
The Auburn Wagon Works and many
retail dealers. used this means of
advertising their business. After the
parade had disbanded at the square, the
Declaration of Independence was read
and the Grafton of the day was delivered.
After the conclusion Of the exercises in
the Square the Charles Town Fire Com
pany made a most creditable exhibition
at the corner of Burke and Queen St.
Then there was a lull in the program UNI
til 7.45 when the sham battle took place
on the Boom. The Red Men and the
State Guards made good exhibition and
there were thousands of people on the
hill to witness the exhibitions. After dark
the fire works began and were the cul-
mination of the features of the day. 1t
was an excellent pyrotechnic display and
did not fail to please the immense crowd
gathered on the hills about. These were
concluded about nine o'clock and then
there was a general breaking up of the
crowds. Those from a distance sought
the stations and those from the country
their teams and the crowd that swarmed
our streets all the day was fast disappear
ing.
The trains left on the c. V. at $50 and
then our town people went home and to
their beds to dream of the brilliant and
successful termination of Martinsburgs
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