The Washington times., 1901-07-05
OBSERVED In ALL STYLES.
Washington Celebrates the Fourth
in Varied Fashion.
The Day IN Unusually Quiet One, Al
though Many Small Fires Add 10
the Excitement - Patriotic ENer-
cises Held in the City and Suburbs

the Excitement - Patriotic ENer
cises Held in the City and Suburbs
In ways that were varied did the Ioya
citizens of Washington find means to ex
press their patriotism yesterday in OBJ
servance of the great national holiday
July 4. Some there were. in fact ther,
| were thousands of these. whose regard fol
| tho anniversary of the nations birtE
| lead them to fee from the heat, humidi
ty, and hubbub Of the city streets to tn,
cool, sequestered spots, where brceZes
blow gently and soft from across river
and bay, where they were free to com
mune with nature, and rejoice in the
recreation of a holiday
| But there was no means of getting
away from the maddng crowd, for every
| where, at all the neighboring resorts
| there We're throngs of pleasure-seekers
| and rest-seekers. yet there was room and
ample accommodation for all. Grey dawn
was just streaming over the dome of the
| Capitol when the exodus from the city
began, and it continued until midday.
Steamboats,, suburban electric cars. and
| long trains drawn by steam locomotives
were overburdened all the morning, con-
veying the multitude to the rural districts.
Some carried huge baskets in which were
]
| of picnic parties. Others bore fireworks
| in order that there might be noise and
! display in the country as well as in the
| city.
| SO it was that Chesapeake Beach. with
| its superb bathing accommodations, was
| all day long lined with bathers in their
| gay and natty costumes, while many 9TH
| ers who SHE'D from the water enjoyed
| the boardwalk and the numerous other
attractions which the place affords. Ha-
ley's Band contributed the music. \
special holiday schedule of trains was
arranged. that transportation facili-
ties were not wanting
Mount Vernon and Marshall Hail drew
their share of the holiday patronage. and
many there were who journeyed by boat
on the Potomac and after paying their
tribute at the tomb of Washington
crossed the river and enjoyed an outing
at Marshall Hall. Others sought the
cooling breezes of Glen Echo and made
merry there amid the pleasant surround
ings Still others jouneyed by boat and
by rail to places more remote.
Yet another contingent of the popula
tion remained in town a portion of the
day and they sought amusement at the
Brightwood races and at the bail games.
themselves from home there were stin
other thousands who remained within the
city walls and adopted other means OF
exhibiting their reverence for the day
and the action which has made all things
in America possible.
Some celebrated with gunpowder in all
the various devices in which it is con-
cealed, and made to explode with peace
destroying and nerve-shattering effect
These were chiefly the Juveniles who look
forward from one July TO the next and
nail it as the one day in which their
capacity to produce noise and tumult is
unrestrained either by municipal or par
entail authority. And the smallest OF them
were Joined by their elders. who aided in
the discharge of frecrackers to the min
GIod joy and fear of the timid ones. It
was a great occasion for the little ones
who celebrated their first Independence
Day.
Yet after all, there was not an unusual
amount of noise; on the whole, the day
was remarkably quiet, and fortunately
too, nearly free from any serious acci-
dent. only a few minor casualties being
reported. There was an unusual number
OF small fires, although none of them
was destructive.
breaking of dawn. and it continued with
out interruption until it was long past bed
time for all good children. Nervous peo-
pie complained that they could not rest
after daylight for the sharp report of
exploding fireworks. but this fact was
not a source Of regret to the small boy,
who on the contrary delighted in the
noise. During the middle OF the day,
save for the occasional swapping and
popping of frecrackers. there was little
disturbance, but as night came on there
was a renewal of the explosions. which
included the shooting of Roman candles,
sky rockets, spinning wheels. and the as
cension of lighted balloons. which delight
ed the young spectators.
There was no general celebration, every
one being free 10 commemorate the day as
he or she saw fit. The only formal cere-
monies took place at the Columbia Thea
tire, where the Columbia Society of the
Sons of the American Revolution, observ-
ed the day with a pro yramme BETTING
the occasion; at Carroll Institute, where
the Society Of the Oldest Inhabitants
celebrated, and at Takoma Park, where
there was Grating and speechmaking by
public spirited citizens.
The audience at the Columbia Theatre
was not a large one, owing TO the intense
heat. but it was patriotic in its demon
strations. Noble ID. Larner. President Of
the Columbia Society of the Sons Of the
American Revolution, presided. Patriotic
music was rendered by the Marine Band
under the leadership Of Prof Santeimann
The members OF the band, in their white
duck uniforms. presented a most attrac- |
tive appearance, and their inspiring mel
odies were a feature OF the mornings |
in celebration Of the nations |
birthday.
Among those occupying seats on the |
stage were Hon. Frank Hackett, Assist !
ant Secretary of the Navy; Philip Walk |
er ". l.. Marsh, w. II. Bayly, Francis |
Z. Grice, Noble d. Larner. Hon. Frank |
l. Campbell. Rear Admiral Greer. WI |
liam a. De Caindry, Capt. L. Nj. Kelley, |
Rev Thomas S. Childs. d. D.; Leon l.. |
Philip Larner. Leon L. French, |
and John Paul Earnest.
In calling the meeting 10 order Mr. |
Larner briefly referred to the duty Of all
patriotic citizens to commemorate July |
as the anniversary of the day of the
adoption of the Declaration Of Indepcnd-
ence, and called attention TO the fact that
IL had been the custom Of the society
since its organization to publicly observe
The occasion.
Mr. Larner then introduced the Rev.
Thomas S. Childs. d. d, Chaplain Of the
Columbia Society. who invoked Divine
blessing DR. Childs offered thanks for
he blessfnos Of Providence and for tho |