Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-08

Since the announcement in the Cou.
rier of the action of the Eagles with
regard to celebration of the Fourth
of July in this city, hundreds of citi-
zens have become interested in the
scheme and are ready to help it along
in any way possible. Ottumwa has
at last awakened to the fact that she
is behind other cities of the state when
the Fourth comes around, or, rather,
that she has for several years been
behind, and this year is looked upon
as a good time for the city to redeem
itself and uphold it's reputation as a
live community.
Mayor PickIer Takes Hold.
Mayor Thomas j. Picker, who is
also worthy president of the local
aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles,
| is heartily in favor of the celebration,
and has taken hold of the reins with
much enthusiasm. Already he has ap-
pointed committees to solicit contribu-
lions from business men and citizens
generally, and when this committee re-
ports in few days on the encourage
ment 1t will have received it can be
decided finally whether there is
enough support to justify carrying out
the idea. Considerable money will be
required to make the affair a success,
but this fact does not make the pro.
motors backward about taking an in
terest, and Mayor Picker said today
that in his opinion there will not be
the slightest difficulty in pushing the
plans to successful completion.
CAS- was slater in the Courier"
said the mayor today, there
are in Ottumwa hundreds of children
in their teens who have never seen a
good celebration of the Fourth. If the
idea can be carried out this two days
Fourth of July celebration will be an
event everyone in the city will want to
see repeated. Instead of everyone 60
ing out of town this Fourth. let every
one stay in the city who is here and
then let trains bring more people into
Ottumwa. so that we can have the big
gest celebration the city or southeast
ern Iowa ever saw. If the committees
| have just appointed report favorably
in few days will then appoint new
committees in addition, for the pur-
pose of arranging for program, speak
ers. transportation, grounds, parade,
etc."
Committees Appointed.
Mayor Picker has announced the
appointment of committees for solicit.
ing funds, and states that few more
names may be added to the list if the
citizens take enough interest in the
plan to warrant the holding of cele-
bration. The committees appointed
are as follows:
Jobbing houses. w. Garner, W.T..
Hal and H. ]. Ostdiek
South Side-J. e. Hull, P. T. Spring
er and John Weidenfeller.
Retail houses-T. j. Phillips, Peter
Anderson F. B.. Clark, W. ]. Donelan,
Emil Fecht and r. N McElroy.
Special Features.
This year better than any other spe-
cial features can be introduced which
will make the celebration mere enjoy
able than ordinary ones. The city will
then have its new wagons for fighting
fire. and in addition will have the new
ambulance Mayor Picker suggests
that there be mock fire on the va
cant lot near the union depot. Goods
boxes and other inflammable material
could be used, and the fire department,
with hose wagons, chiefs wagon, chem
ical and hook and ladder truck, could
make an exhibition run. The distance
is about right and there would be no
danger to surrounding property.
A Sham Battle.
Another feature which meets with
the approval of many to whom it has
been mentioned is a sham battle in
which companies from Ottumwa, Abba
and Charlton could participate. The
music of the regimental band, which
will then be located in this city, would
add to the effect This battle could be
had at the fair grounds or any other
place that might be chosen for it. The
celebrations, would, of course, have tc
be held at some grove near the city
but there are several of these and the
work of finding suitable place will
not be hard.
i What People Say About 1t.
\ With a view to securing expressions
of opinion from the people of the city
the Courier interviewed several prom
inent citizens this morning with regard
to the matter. and in each case met
with reply favoring celebration.
Il Judge E. G. Moon.
Judge E. G. Moon said: 81 am hear
lily Ill ldNOI VI d CelGDIdllOu IL d lid
jority OF the people wish to have one
and think that one could be carried
out with much credit to the city. The
only obstacle l can see is that of get
ting suitable place, but l suppose thai
there are several such places near the
city and that they can be secured for {
! celebration. think that the idea is {
good one and that it should be carried
out"
j. T. HackWorth.
]. T. Hackworth, president of the
, board Of library trustees, expressed
himself as follows: 81 am very mucl
in favor of celebrating the Fourth O
July, and approve of the plan. AS tt
dedicating the library building at tina
time, l personally believe that that
too, is good idea. The building viii
; be about ready for dedication at tina
time, and at this time l see no reasol
why the two affairs should not be made
one"
J. w. Garner.
| ]. w. Garner is enthusiastic in ap
| proving of the plan for celebration