The Washington times., 1902-07-05
Take Prominent Part in
Patriotic Celebration
at Laurel.
RAIN sPoILS EXERCISES
Parade Through Principal Streets in
the Morning-Afternoon Program
Abandoned on Account of Heavy
Showers-Many Handsome Floats.

The people of Laurel yesterday cele-
brated the anniversary of the Declara-
tion of Independence in the manner of
ancient days. Patriotism was on tap and
found vent In all the ways peculiar to
Americas great holiday. 1t was a gen.
uine old-fashioned Fourth of July, in
cluding a big parade. the reading of the
Declaration, band music. a hot day and
pouring rain, which spoiled the program
| for the afternoon.
| 1t had been several years since Laurel.
which has water works. miles of brick
sidewalk, Industries and hundreds OF
beautiful and happy homes. had cele-
brated Independence Day. Accordingly.
when it was announced that the board
of trade. under the energetic leadership
of Mr.. E. l.. Petit, its president. would
inaugurate a Fourth OF July program,
the project met a hearty response from
the business nien and people of the town.
general committee was chosen by the
board of trade and instructed to carry
out the plan proposed. This committee
was composed of Messrs. F. C. Diezen-
dorff, N. ]. Tighe and James P. Curiey,
and the esult of their iabors yesterday.
as far as the elements allowed the var
icus events to proceed, was something
to stir Laurel from center to circum-
ference.
Times Newsboys Band.
The Times Newsboys Band was one of
the principal features of the parade.
and was very much in evidence through
out the day Prof. White marshaled his
boy musicians at an early hour prcpar-
a,ory to the trip. They gathered nearly
forty strong and proudly carried the
beautiful blue banners received the
night before at Georgetown. As the S:3o
train pulled out Of the Baltimore and
Ohio station the car containing the band
was as quiet as a Sunday School class.
About the time it reached II Street, how
ever. pandemonium broke loose. Fire
crackers were brought forth from hid
den pockets. toy pistols were flashed out
of the windows, and pair of repeating
bulldogs" completed the arsenal. The
conductor came hurrying in to see
whether his train was being held UP or
whether the Martinique disaster was be-
,ny repca.ed.
The band was met at the station by !
Mr.. Diezendorf, chairman Of the com
mittcc, and escorted to The Grove
where the parade was TO form. Laurel |
looked its best. The houses were |
decorated with bunting and flags along !
the line os march. and the sidewalks |
were filled VIZ the population.
The proc, s~i9- formed on Montgomery
Street. OPT the High School Build
ing. passed out that street TO its ex
trcmity and doubled into Main Street.
Thence turning up Pine Street the line
OF march passed back to THE Grove"
The line was preceded by Capt. J. A.
Scaggs, of the Laurel police contingent.
and five of his men. Next came Mayor
Timanns, mounted. as marshal OF the
parade, with Samuel CLANCY and Col.
Richard Federlein as aids The Laurel
brass band followed, with Prof W. II.
II. Thies as leader. In wagon drawn
by a spirited bay team rode the commit
tee of arrangements Behind them the
Ncwsboys Band marched. and following
them the floats, private carriages and
riders stretched backward
nearly mile.
Significant Floats.
The float of the Laurel Cotton Duck
Company was perhaps the most signif-
cant in the line. 1t contained on a truck
drawn by eight horses a cotton bale, a
bale OF the manufactured product. one OF |
the looms and numerous specimens of
the work of the factory Seated about
upon these objects were twelve opera
tlves of the mill. Another float also
attracted considerable attention that OF /.
Messrs. schooIy & Tigh, representing I
the business of the firm as dealers In
grain and agricultural implements.
The grotesquc features of the parade
were also well received en- route. Near
the head of the procession Wilbur Tina
nus, in the character of clown mount
ed upon a donkey. pleased the younger
generation with his antics. Little Joe
Morris a dwarf. rode in cart drawn
by goat. Joe impersonating Uncle Sam.
Sam Murkie. Hottentot, was mounted
on black steed. and impersonated
Filipino. He was clad in q silk hat.
slight portion of the rest of his body
being concealed beneath a skirt Oh to-
bacco leaves. Sam and his horse was
decorated to suit the savage instinct,
and looked the part.
Three judges occupied n stand on Main
Street and awarded prizes as follows:
The best mounted man, George Cooke,
of Howard county; the best grotesque
outfit, Joe Morris and his goat; the best
single team, Elwood Fisher, and the
best double team. Charles II. Stanley.