The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1901-07-05

tarly yesterday morning crowds of
E-aiie hegan arriving in Ocala to
participate In the big time promised
the strangers who entered our
gate on the Fourth of July, aud by
ths time the morning trains got in
Nna deposited their human burdens
the city was crowded with patriotic
oeiebrstors % every age, color aud
cr--d from every nook and corner Of
this and adjoining counties.
Had the committee on arrange
nssnts had the power 60 select the
~sNther for the occasion they could
Dot hsvr improved on that which
prevailed. The early forenoon was
Wy comfortable. and just rs Old Sol
"a getting In his choicest bit OF sum-
msf heat. about noon. a delightful
ran fell for about half hour. leaving
everything ~ cool and pleasant as the
Po-t'- ideal spring morning.
There was an abundance Of ice wa
o. la barrels distributed at various
points on the streets where the festiv-
tie were 10 take place, and the inn
msuse quantities 81 Ocala's excellent
water consumed during the day
-hoWed the appreciation Of the reciP-
isnts.
Promptly at 10 O'Clock. a. an
bounced, the program was begun,
and. thanks o. those who had charge,
everything came on with almost the
rrecision of clock-work.
First Mas a bicycle race, open 10 all,
ID which Mo-ss I.iddell. an Ocala boy.
easily carried Oft first hOnors, n $500
r-Ir. He also won the S3.,0 prize for
i..- under twenty years Of age.
Tb~ s2,o prize for boy bicyeiists was
aan ~ Bert Dosh.
ris colored bicyclisi- then took the
t-a b and the priz.- were awarded +:
F-.t rarr. s3m. Minder Williams /:
-. sud Race. s2ui. Tommie Thomas.
rts -sek races, which had 10y tar
rr- greatest number 81 eutrie-. were
greatly enjoyed by the spectators. In
ere Nh.ts hoy-' race Oriiee LanderS
aa the fir-i prize, aud Walter longe
a.rd Col,y Wells won fr-i prize
tar r1.u-rd huys' sack race. and
ri mae 'slh"gn second.
AffI ..na building. erected Tor the
rIal-r uu Tire -ruth >ide of the public
sar.. VA ~ "n fire and the DEPART
ltHf called out. The hose and hook
..I ladder companies made splendid
r..as iu responding o. the alarm. and
af.i to The satisfaction &C at resi-
Uarf- and property owners that We
havs splendid fire department and
one that can at o. the scene 81 a
Indignation on short notice. Marion
pose Company NJ. D Wou the first
..r-. sIauU. aud Ocsis Protective
II -. Company No. .. SECOND prize ot
s..uH
On. af the heading features ~ TIE
#st.- attractions. the balloon a~cen'
.u. thfn took place. The aef"naui
u. ~. Phillip. 90 Hudson, Mich.
arr l. one of ihe bet a. Lis lire
made the ascension. and his perform
sr.s- uu the traPc~e while the balloon
s.a- Shooting -kywsrd were watched
aifh great interest, everybody admir-
~ his fearless manner In which ht
-Uuug from hi- apparatus in mid-air
right breeze was blowing from the
.s.t when he went up, aud la conse
4usurs he landed only few blocks
f.om the starting point This was the
fr.t balloon ascension many 81 those
t.re-eut had ever witnessed and some
20 The remarks aud comments heard
sgers very amusing.
shortly after u O'Clock Congress
suan stephen NJ. spsrkmAn, of Tam
Ia. delivered the Grafton 81 the day
IN the court house TO n large, com
fartAbly packed audience. The
spsaker wss happily introduced b,
Hon. AZ. A. BurfOrd.