Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-07-05
A SUCCESSFUL CELEBRATION I!
The Largest Crowd In The History
Of The Town.

Another celebration has come and
gone, leaving its lessons to aid the
betterment of the coming genera
tions that are soon to lead and con-
duct the public affairs of the town.
The day was hot, but owing to the
shaded streets and wooded retreats
and the comfortable and commodi-
Gus park, the people without excep-
tions passed a pleasant day and en-
joyed the occasion in every sense
of the word. For years the town
has sustained the reputation of be-
ing one of the best celebration
grounds in Western Iowa. This
year, as last, the exercises of the
day were under the auspices of the
Business Mems League, and those
who had seen the day advertised
under the management of the
League, and doubted the existence
of such an organization, all
went aaway feeling that owing
to the harmony of interest and
the perfect and complete manage
ment of affairs, there wasa League
of Exira's business men that did ex.
ist as advertised.
By early dawn every citizen was
up and at work, finishing the prepa-
ration that were so necessary for
the occasion. The roar OF cannon
and the roll of musketry was the
first thing on the program, and was
carried out by Captain Samuel D..
Harm and his able assistants. From
early dawn until their work was
completed the decorating commit
tee, composed of happy crowd of
handsome young women with ar
tistic eyes, and as many patriotic
young men were busy at the work
allotted them until the streets and
parks were arrayed with bunting,
flags and emblems, giving the town
an appearance characteristic of the
day. Main street was neatly and
tastily decorated, every merchant
trimming his store and display
windows in the national colors.
The people commenced arriving
from their country homes at an ear
ly hour. The early train from the
south came in heavily freighted
with happy crowd that had their
faces wreathed in smiles, knowing
how we'll their joyous anticipations
would be fulfilled.
Before the train arrived from the
north the streets were most full to
overlooking. Here and there could
be seen float representing some
of the many business houses NOV
ing to the place where the line of
parade was to start. Now and then
few bicyclists, with wheels ga1ly
decorated for the occasion, would
spin through the crowded strests
to join those who were to go into
the wheelman's parade. Long be-
fore the time set for the parade to
start every float was ready to fall IN;
and before the time arrived to start
the impatient chargers with their
proud drivers insisted that the pro-
cession move on. With flags, bunt-
ing, streamers. signs and banners
floating to the breeze the Marshal
of the Day gave the word and the
long procession moved off down
Main street to West Town to
meet the down train from the north.
The procession arrived at the depot
just as the train pulled in where it
was headed by the Concert Band
that had gone to Audubon on excur-
sion train to furnish music and en-
terta1n1nent for those who came
down to spend the day in the g Cele-
bration City Of the West" The
parade was the largest by far ever
seen at a country town. Everything,
moved on like machinery and the
business men felt proud of their
achievements, as the vast throng of
people stood and admired the pa.
rade as it passed by. When the pa
rade disbanded the Concert Band
returned to the Park where they
played patriotic air. BY the time
they had finished the Park was a
vast sea of moving humanity. H.
l.. Wissler, President of the Day,
stepped to the front of the stand,
called the crowd to order with a
few appropriate remarks, then ask
ed the large throng to bow their
heads while Rev. f. H. Votaw in
voked the divine blessing. The first
speaker of the day was Mayor G. A.
Marlin who, in a .clear and concise
manner, most cordially extended
welcome to the vast sea Of upturned
faces before him, on behalf of the
business men and the citizens of
the town. The next was the read
ing, of the Declaration of Independ-
ence by c. W. Marlin. After this
the President of the Day introduced
Rev. r. C.rF Chambers. who was
the Orator of the Day. His speech
was pronounced by all as one of the
best ever delivered on the grounds
in the many years past and
gone. He added new laurels to
his crown as to his real worth as a
man and as a speaker. The band
played, filling its part of the pro-
! gram and the mnsic was most ex-
cellent and we'll received.
The next two hours was time
for feasting and the contents of
many we'll filled baskets were
spread undertn the shady trees. Those
who had not come with well-filled
baskets found good meals at the
various places that had made ar.
rangements to feed the multitude
We do not care to give an estimate
on the number present, but those
who have attended for years and
years past agree that it was the
largest crowd they had ever seen
in attendance and it is safe to say
it was the largest crowd ever assem-.
bled in Audubon county. The
crowd was very orderly. there being
not fight or an arrest. The people