The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-05
FOURTH OF JULY
IN RICHMOND.
Ii Was by Far the Hottest Day of The
Season.
CROWDS TO The sEAsHoRE
Holiday Generally Observed and Quiet
Prevailed in the City Indica-
lions for Fair Weather = No
Promise of Relief from Heat.

The GLORIOUS Fourth was pretty gen
era;sy observed holiday by the people
O; Richmond yesterday.
The very oppressive heat drove most OF
those who could arrange to go from the
city, and the streets and public buildings
were practically deserted.
Those who could do so got out of the
city at break of day, and before the sun
became absolute master OF the situation
thousands of Richmonders had reached
places where cool hreezes and rushing
waters were matters of fact, and where
Old Sol had troubles of his own as against
the wind and wave.
PERFECT ORDER PREVAILED.
The small boy. with his cannon and
IRE crackers, was in little evidence, and
the occasional sound of baby-waker
came with suddenness that DISTURBED
the Sabbath-l!ke stiffness that had crept
over the hot city
II was quite too hot for bubbiinE. patrl-
cite enthusiasm, and the anniversary OF
the great day was observed in quiet. or
DERBY and dgnifed manner. generally
speaking.
Mint juleps were IN demand. and the
dispensers Of soda water and ice-cream
reaped rich harvests. The strangers IN
the city relieved themselves of all I'M
necessary wearing apparel, such as coats
and vests, and became as comfortable and
happy as the exigencies Of the situation
allowed. while reposing on Natures yer
dant couch beneath the trees of the city
parks.
THEY USE THE CARS.
The trolley cars did good business. for
1t didn't take the people long to learn that
a ride on the cars placed them in a po-
sition "a catch plenty OF ozone. and that
Is what they had been looking Tor all
day.
Wherever a breeze stirred there could
be found bunch" OF people. and when
the breeze changed its place so did the
people 1t was mad. but quiet and or
Derby race al day in town for shade and
breeze. and those who could find neither
were unfortunate and unhappy, indeed.
Large crowds OF people braved the
chances and enjoyed themselves at the
Academy and the Casino, and not a kick
was registered
All the State and city Offices were
closed, as were also the banks and most
of the business houses. Tho postoflce was
open for the delivery Of mail from 10 to
II A NJ All was quiet about the public
buildings and everything down town re-
minded one of Sunday instead of holiday.
On account of the very hot weather.
great crowds of people went to the
seaside to spend the day. The c. and o.
and the N and w. both carried large ex-
cursion trains out in the morning, and the
Southern had a well-patronized one to
West Point
In addition to those who left on the rail-
roads, there We're numerous basket pic
MICS 20 YounEs pond, Lakeside, Forest
Hill and other popular resorts near the
city.
REDUCED RATES
All the railroads offered reduced rates
and thousands of people went out of the
city who did not go on regular excursions
Rarely has there been witnessed more
quiet day in Richmond. and every one
who could arrange to do so left the city
in an effort 10 escape the intense heat of
thu day.
1t was a weary, WORKOUT, fatigued
stream of humanity that poured back into
the city last night from the picnics and
excursions Of the day. but not more so.
: however. than had the people remained
here and endured the burdens of the ex-
cessive heat with the mercury standing al
100 in the afternoon.
Yesterday was by far the hottest day of
the season. While this was true there
were very few cases of prostration re-
ported. owing largely TO the fact, per-
haps. that very little work was going on
In the city.
The forecast for to-day is fair, but no
thing is promised in the line of cooler
weather.