Rock Island Argus., 1899-07-05
GLORY OF THE FOURTH
independence Day Fittingly OBJ.
served in Rock Island
and Vicinity.
BIG CELEBRATION IN MOLINE

Attractions at the Watch Tower, Prospect
Park and Manhattan Beach-Immenss
Turnout of PeopIe-Street Car Company
Has It's Hands as Well as Cars Full
1t was a noisy and glorious Fourth
of July. II was celebrated in truly
patriotic manner. 1t seemed as if the
whole population was on the move
throughout the day, the snap of the
fire cracker, the roar ofthe toy cannon
and the crack of the revolver fur
nishing inspiring music for the mar
tial tread. The day opened decidedly
discouraging to those who had planned
outings, a heavy rain falling during
the early morning hours, but
along toward noon the sun began to
peep from behind the clouds, shedding
rays of hope for successful holiday.
People fiocked to the various places af-
fording shade and amusement. Fami-
lies organized into parties and with
filled baskets, hammocks and swings
took to the woods to while away the
day in old fashioned picnic style.
There were the usual home celebra-
tions, many finding enjoyment and
contentment in confining their patriotic
demonstrations to the family circle,
and the consequence was that sky
rockets and balloons were sent gliding
through the heavens over the city
from dusk until late at night.
MoIIne's Big Celebration.
The chief celebration was in Moline.
The town was gaily decorated and
people gathered there in thousands,
Rock Island contributing largely to
the attendance. 1t was a highly cred
liable affair. the parade and other eX-
ercises. in view OF the weather condi-
tions, being executed with dispatch
and precision. The main thorough
fares were arched with bunting,
which, although marreG by rain, pre-
sented a pretty spectacle as the pro-
cession, in which there were numb ber
of magnificent floats, passed along,
viewed by crowd that thronged the
streets for many blocks. In the af-
ternoon program of athletic events
was given in the park that had been
erected for the occasion on the river
front. The principal address was de-
livered by Judge John A. Tally, of St.
Louis. A feature was a sham battle
bv the Naval Reserves. In the even
ing there was a beautiful display of
fireworks, surprising anything in that
line that has been offered hereabout
since the Colum bian exhibition, the
glory of which the twin-cities shared
Black Hawk and Prospect Park.
That always popular resort, Black
Watch Tower, attracted an
immense throng of people, who were
with varied program of
Prospect park. too,
was the scene of merry holiday
crowd.
The Rock Island Industrial Home
association gave picnic at Manhat-
tan beach that was generously pat
ronized by the three cities. Three
boats were kept busy in transporting
the people back and forth.
For the first time since Chicago
capital took hold of our street car
system and organized it and provided
a metropolitan service the company
found itself unequal to the demands
made upon it by its patrons, and was
stalled temporarily. This circum
stance was due to the diversity of
at different places, making
it impossible to concentrate the cars.
During the rush to Moline last night
shortly after supper, for an hour or
so, the company was unable to
handle the crowds, and people were |
turned away from the cars Againat |
the termination of the fl eworks display |
for awhile it seemed the company would |
never thin out the jam of people that |
along the lines, but by the
rapid switching of trains to and fro |
his was soon accomplished. Under
he circumstances the company did |
we'll, and General Manager Lardner
hopes by another Fourth to have |
plenty of cars at his disposal.
FOURTH OF JULY ACCIDENTS.