Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-07-06
Business Mems Celebration.
Big Crowd, A Pleasant Day, A Good Time.

Big Crowd, A Pleasant Day, A Good Time.
The business mems celebration
was success in every sense of the
word and those who have attended
like events for years past and gone.
say that no previous year ever pro-
vided the people with such pleas
ant day of nirth and merriment
and general good time, and at the
same time furnish such a sacred
observance of the fundamental
poinciples for which the day was
inaugurated.
At an early hour, long before the
dawn of day, the citizens were
awakened by the sound of musket-
ry, which was soon Joined and
united with the deep tone of the
cannon's roar. By the break of day
the streets were busy scene and
all We're making ready to greet
those who would come to spend
the day in our midst. The heavy
clouds that overhung the busy
scene did not dampen the ardor of
the people and by eight o'clock the
business streets We're beautifully
and artistically draped with stars
and stripes and hundreds of yards
of bunting. The decorating com
mittee used 300 yards Of flag bunt-
ing and all the flags that could be
purchased in the town The deco
rations in the park were very lavish
and were put up with an eye to ar
tistic beauty.
The parade took place according
to program and was such as to give
credit to the town and the business
men who went to the expense of
getting up such beautiful and ar
tistic designs. We can not describe
the business interests and firms
represented, but the multitudes
that witnessed the grandeur dis
played will not soon forget the
| scene.
Eleven o'clock found the crowd
seated around the speakers stand
waiting eagerly and patiently to
listen to the music and the words
of pataiotic eloquence. The band
| played patriotic airs and the glee
club sang fine and appropriate Sc
lectisns, rendering them in style
of perfectness in harmony that
filled every soul with delight and
patriotic devotion. The address of
welcome by Mayor c. E. BRENNAN
was opportune and put the crowd
in an eXpectant mood for that
which was to follow. The Hon
Ezra Willard, orator of the day was
introduced and happy sea of in
telligent faces greeted him and lis
tened with marked attention to his
words OF eloquence-wh which if print
ed would pass into classic literature
as masterpiece of the English
| 1., L,
his words of wisdom feels that the
intelligence of our nation is based
upon the intelligence of her people
and thatit is their pleasurable duty
to help elevate and ennoble man
Kind SO that our nation may go on
advancing in its upward course. 1t
eous outburst of loyalty and
patriotism. All Join in pronounc
ing the forenoon exercises of high
order and such as only a few peo-
pie can give in manner to be APP
preciated.
The noon hour was pleasantly
passed by happy reunions of
neighbors and friends who gath
cred around we'll spread feast
beneath the beautiful canopy of
leaves that overhung them, furnish
ing complete and delightful
shade. A couple of hours were
pleasantly passed in social pastime
reviewing past events, pleasant
days and in giving many promises
tor future gatherings on like occa-
| Sions.
The afternoon was given up to
outdoor sports and anusements
which had been arranged for the
benefit of the people who were
gathered as the guests of the bust
ness men of the town. All races
and contests We're fairly tried, fair
ly won and the liberal prizes fairly
awarded.
After witnessing the grand dis
play of fireworks in the evening,
some returned to their homes. 9TH
ers remaining for the evening
dances, all declaring Extra the best
place IN the world to celebrate the
| glorious Fourth