Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-07-10
Columbian Club Happy.

The celebration July 4th. under the
auspices of the Columbian Club is a
thing OF the past, but the pleasant time
that it afforded those present IS not
forgotten and will long be cherished
by many. The day was one of promise
the weather being more favorable
than for several days previous so that
at an early hour there was every evil
dence and indication that the patriotic
people were awake to the occasion as
the principal business houses We're
adorned and gayly decked with the
red, white and blue, yards of bunting
and an innumerable display of flags
that f1oated out on the breeze and gave
the town tasty appearance, while the
roar OF the cannon, the boom of the
giant flrecrackers and the crash of the
torpedo and the endless and ceaseless
noise, from other devices of the latest
and most modern output for the proper
observance of such and kindred oc-
casions, made one realize and know
that Young America was ready for
and already engaged in the fray
Every committee was on hand to
see that the part assigned them was
carried out without the usual delay
mat occurs. At an early hour one
could observe the different merchants
ana hrms preparing to take part in the
parade. At ~ O'clock everything was
in readiness and Marshal of the Day,
u. u. Freeman gave the command and
soon the best parade ever given in Au-
dubon was IN motion lead by the Au-
dubon Cornet Band followed by the
Queen" in royal attire, many beauti-
full floats, the Grand Army of the Re.
public and the unique detachment
from the Midway OF Nations with
many other attractions here and there
in the parade. The crowd assembled
in the park at ! i o'clock where arrang-
ments had been made, providing for
all those who desired to listen to the
program prepared for the occasion.
Mrs. b. s. Phelps president of the club
was president Of the day and opened
the exercises by announcing there
conducted by Mrs. w. w. Smith.
Rev. Vollmer was next on program
and invoked the divine blessing. The
address of welcome delivered by Mavor
John A. Nash was a fitting tribute
to the town and country and well
received by the vast thronp, The
Declaration of Independence with its
lessons, to many new and young hearts
and minds was read by G. A. Marlin.
There may have been feeling of dis
appointment to many when they learn
ed that Hon. J. P. Dolliver was not
present to deliver the grafton; but Hon.
A. A. Mclaughlin, of Des Moines had
been procured and was eloouently in
troduced by the President of the day
as one of the possible, eloquent and
able statesman of the near future,
His address was one of the ablest
most scholarly and thoughtful that ii
mas ever been our pleasure to hear,
showing knowledge of affairs both
past ana present as well as know.
ledge of some of the problems of the
people. Those who had the good fort.
une to hear this address will ever
cherish the sentiment so clearly and
conclsely expressed in the eloquent
GRAFTON. In the afternoon a program
was carried out under the direction OF
yrs. =. M. Leet consisting of songs,
declamations, essays and orations, all
OF them who participated did them
selves credit beyond praise. George
Cosson IS deserving of special mention
\ "1AS W WV AolGy SeuUlueuC SO
eloquently expressed and for the man
ner that the crowd received his speech.
After the afternoon program was over
IT might be said that the day was free
lor al. People visited, exchanged
greetings, best wishes and had a gen.
eral good time, drank lemonade, ate
ice cream and INDUCED in all of the
luxuries provided by the ladies in the
various stands which they conducted.
The Midway of Nations was new
and novel feature for celebration and
from the noise and confusion and the
liberal patronage given it by the crowd
it was truly appreciated The fire
works in the evening ended the day
and the crowd departed for home real
izing they had attended another cele-
bration.