The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-05
The Occasion Never So Generally
Observed Before.
PLEASURE PLACES ST0RMED
Tens of Thousands FIocked to the sea
shore and to the Suburban Parks.
Means of Entertainment Abun-
dant-Marked Absence of
Disorderly Conduct.
Small Boys Happy.

The hundred and twenty-sixth ami
versary of the signing of the Declara-
ton Of dependence-otherwise The
Fourth of July Of the year 1902-passed
off pretty much the same as other occa-
sions of a like character. Perhaps The
celebration was somewhat moro general,
the interest in the event as affording
holiday somewhat more manifest-apart
from that it was a typical Fourth, hot
as regards the weather, noisy a times
with the report of nre-crackers, but,
taken as a whole. quiet and undemon-
sfrative
Remarkably good order prevailed
throughout the day. a few ordinary
orun5s were the best the police could
muster up. and they rarely developed
into anything of q violent character
There was absolutely 10 excitement.
The town was in some respects relieved
OF the bulk of its population, and no.
body much was left to create row.
If rowing there was, it occurred outside;
at the seashore. where many went at
the parks, 20 which thousands nocked
during the day. or at other places.
So the Fourth this year viii take its
17lace among other Fourths unmarked by
any particular feature save perhaps the
more general observance quiet but
thorough American holiday, invested
with not much sentiment, at least not
much that was apparent, vet genuine
Measurable occasion after all
EXTREMELY WARMr
The day broke fair. as was expected
and with moderate interruptions, con-
tinued so throughout. The heat, from
early morning until nightfall and be-
vond. was intense the Thermometer stand
ing at nearly 80 degrees as late as
O'Clock in the evening. In the early Tore
noon an effort was made to verify the
Weather Bureau prediction for showers,
but it wouldn't do. 1t stormed about
a little, shook the trees which had been
etanding stock still all day without
breath of air to rattle their dry leaves,
and then gave 1t UP as a bad Joh- Mean
while the sun continued to beat down
from above and shed 900 degree pa
triotic glow over everything.
While many stores essayed to do buSl-
ness despite the holiday. the business
streets as a rule presented an unusuai
Sunday-lilse appearance. Small traflc was
done In any line, and many of these places
I.bicb opened in the morning closed in
The afternoon considerably before the
r.ral hour. This, as indicated above,
was the most marked feature OF the oc-
casion. if there was any such feature
at ALL WorISingnlen as rule mao 'lie
day 10 themselves to make of it as they
pleased celebration or not NeailN
sl1 the big plants like the LocomouFe
works Allen & Ginter. the Trigg Snip
wards. We're closed down.
BIG CAR TRAVEL.
Early in the day the street car ''a>el
bocaroe enormous Relieved for the time
Yeo1le set about amusing themselves, ana
- general thing started at 1t at once.
Many went entirely away, and set OUT
for : day of rest and comfort at the sea-
shore; others chose rather to stay near
h., and visited the parks, where they
fnur5 thousands of others of their kind
Some few who cared to do neither STAYED
nj hrrne and spent q restless day. dodglnS
e;ae and working themselves into a white
heat trying to get cool.
The exodus from town 10 the suburbs
as said began early. In the various di-
rections where the parks are located people
went and went in drOVeS. Lakeside
Fcrest Hill. Reservoir; Westhampton
feyen Pines Chimborazo. etc, etc, flour
tshei as they had not done before since
the year began. In one or two cases the
Kcelies resembled that of a mob at cir
Gus the bands calling to- mind the latter,
cr,! vet here too the good order was con-.
EsI
r~ou ds behaved themselves we'll and did
not dissrate to the extent of losing their
heads
Special attractions were provided at
several Of the parks. Thousands gath
cred at West End. where the toboggan
slide the merry -eo-round and the other
things We're in operation. At Westhamp
ton the Serentieth Regiment or part
Of II. succeeded in stirring things up some
what with a most bloody and exciting
sha>n battle. Professor Deane got in the
game and scared everybody nearly to
tea1n with his wonderful performances.
Al night the japanese fireworks pleased
many and wera a successful closing to a
Yuccessful day. Both West End and
Neszhampton and several of the ether
parks had music ard dancing throughout
the DAY
SEVERAL EXCURSIONS.
So much for those who STAYED in town.
Great numbers of persons went further
and enjoved sea breezes at Buckroe West
Point Virginia Beach and other favoTite
rescrts. Many went down for two or
three days while they were at it. taking
Saturday and Sunday sort OF Fourth
OF July aftermath. The Chesapeake and
Ohio ran several excursions to Old Point
and the Seaboard Air Line and other
rail-> avs provided like facilities. Two or
three excursions came into Richmond.
bringing a lot of people from other places.
The electric line to Petersburg was run
n.nc and did thriving business
pOPCRACkERS POPPED.
Thus far the celebration has been
mainly a search after good time. It
takes another twist when the small boy
gets his finger in it and tries to blow
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