New-York tribune., 1902-07-08
FIREWORKS AT OYSTER BAY
THE PRESIDENT HAS DELAYED FOURTH
OF JULY CELEBRATION.
[nY rELEGRAPH ro rHr rR1rrNE. ]

GBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBCNE.l
Oyster Bay. n. Y, July while the cool salt
water breezes blew under the portico at Saga
more HILL the nation's Chief Executive spent
the hours this evening with about forty town
friends watching his children celebrate Inde-
pendence Day with the fireworks sent to him
by Minister WI. Most of them were set off un-
der the direction of two professionals sent 10
Sycamore Hill by the Pain Fireworks Company
At $50 o'clock the guests OF the President ar
rived. Twenty-one cannon skyrockets were
fired, the Presidents salute. TO begin the ceie-
bration.
A stake six feet high was planted in the
ground about twenty yards in front OF the house'
Strings Of thousands Of arecrackers were wound
around it like spring around a steel rod
Kermit lighted five Of these coils Of crackers
successfully. For ten minutes after he touched
the fuses the crackers popped and burned.
Three balloons were sent up, but two felled 10
sail beyond the treetops. The chlldfeh ran
about the lawn for five ten minutes with
Roman candles. The party repeatedly ap-
plauded the floral displays, including the willow
tree Of sparks. One of the most attractive feat
ures of the evening was the burning of various
colored powders, which were placed on the low
limbs of the trees behind the Presidents cot
tage.
In front of the Presidents house there are
three rows of trees whose tops look like hedge
incIosng an oblong field. Secluded in the dark
ness under these trees there were almost
hundred persons. who walked from nearby
towns and villages 10 see the fireworks. one
man, a negro said that his name was Charlie
Parker farmer, from Upper Cove, ana that
he served the President with poultry When ne
approached by one Of the Secret Service
men who walked about the lawns he pleaded
that he had known the President all his life
.Lo E.nKKv
Among the President and Mrs. Roosevelt's
guests tonight Were the Roesevelts. Town
sends, Russells. wetmores, shermens and the
Rev and Mrs. H. H. Washburn.
The President remained at home for the most
part OF the day. enjoying the quiet and peace of
his cottage. Secretary Cortelyou rode down to
the office in the forenoon in a carriage with AS
sistant Secretary Loeb. Directions were given
to clean the rooms and furnish them with oak
desks for clerical work. Ten or twelve
this morning seeking interview with Secre-
tary Cortelyou or Assistant Secretary Loeb We're
a sufficient number to uncomfortaby crowd the
offices. Thus far only two rooms have been OBJ
tained. but Mr.. Cortelyou hopes to secure an
other
Owing to the sparng accommodations at
Oyster Bay, the plan Of one thousand repre-
sentative negroes from different parts of the
country to visit the President here will have
to be abandoned. Some days ago it was an
nounced that President Roosevelt would be
unable to receive the delegations here. At the
White House, in Washington all callers usually
received firm hand clasp from the President,
but here. while the intended compliment of the
negroes is appreciated. delegations will
be received no exception can be made.
The departure of Robert Ferguson, partner
of Douglas Robinson, and Miss Carow. sister Of
Mrs. Roosevelt, who have been guests at Saga
more HILL left the President to-day alone with
his family.
He spent the day giving his undivided atten-
tion to his family. In the forthcoming days Mr.
Roosevelt will remain almost constantly at
home. going at his pleasure for a ride through
the lanes and bridlepaths in his home county
He will dine at the Seawanhaka Yacht Club one
evening this week. but has made no other local
appointments.
The morning amusement at Sycamore Hill
consisted chiefly Of jolly game OF tennis in
which the President played several sets with
the children.