Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1903-07-09
TRULY GLORIOUS
The Celebration in Mineral Point One
OF the Most Successful of The
Many Events for Which
This City is Noted.
EVERYONE WELL PLEASED
Large Attendance of Happy, Patriotic
people-No Accidents or IN
pleasant Feature to Mar
The Occasion.

Within the history of Mineral
Point which extends over period
of more than sixty years, our people
have held numerous celebrations of
the nations independence which
have rightfully been pronounced
simply grand and established for
our city the reputation of never do
ing anything by halves. But the OBJ.
servance of the Glorious Fourth of
1903 by our citizens must be recog.
nized as second to none of these.
During the evening and night of
tn Bird much rain fell, and at the
dawn of the Fourth, heavy, threaten
ing clouds hung DER our city, placing
hope and anticipations at a low ebb.
This, however, was dispelled about
8 o'clock, when the sun succeeded in
sending bright rays through the
breaks in the clouds, whereat our
citizens converted themselves into
one grand army of decorators. Being
thoroughly prepared, it did not take
them long, and in less than an hour
the entire city was magniticently ar
rayed in red, white and blue, colors
which all true Americans adore,
with Old Glory floating from every
available staff and pinnacle.
BY this time people from all d.
rections commenced pouring into the
city, some by train, others in rigs of
all conceivable styles, but such only
as were strongly indicative of pros
perity and happiness, and when the
noon hour had rolled around up
wards of 10000 iovial patriots were
within our city's gates, and by the
middle Of the afternoon this number
was swelled to at least 1000 more,
The demonstration was an abundant
commentary on Wendell Phillips
assertion that you can cut an Amer
lean into a hundred pieces, boil them
all down, and you will find him all
there on the Fourth of July.
AS the day advanced the weather
became more fitting and delightful.
Because of the gloomy aspect at early
morn, and the muddy roads, the Will
low Springs ball players did not ar
rive until late, and their game with
our high school team. resulting in a
score of 7 to 0 in favor of the school
boys, was not called until IL o'clock,
before which time it should have
terminated to enable all an oppor-
tunity to gather at the park to hear
the eloquent and scholarly Grafton
of Hon. J. NJ. Clancy, whose reputa-
ton did not belle him in the least. II
possible, he excelled himself, and he
retired from our city credited with
having equalled any Of the many
grand orations given in Mineral
Point on a like occasion. Other
pleasing features at the park were
songs by the hundred voiced chorus,
the drill and song by public school
lads, and the reading of the Declara-
ton of Independence by Mr.. Charles
Knight, who had it memorized. de-
livering the same with more than
ordinary satisfaction to his hearers.
Next in order was the foot racing,
which took place on Fountain street.
The 250 yard dash was won by
Herman Parmley, of this city, Davis,
of Dodgeville, second; the 100 yard
dash and repeat contest resulted in
John Hosking, of Darlington, taking
first Parmley second, Davis third,
Following this was the turning loose
of the creased pig on High street,
where the people were huddled so
thickly that the rooter had little
chance to make dash for liberty,
and after advancing about fifty
wards was caught and held by Henry
Thrasher, which feat made him the
owner.
GRAND FLORAL PARADE.
This took place about six o'clock
and was the browning feature of the
day. The people rightly surmised
this fact, for it is doubtful if ever as
large n crowd assembled in Mineral
Point for any occasion. To employ
words that would do it justice il
barely possibility. 1t was pageant
Of wonder, patriotism, beauty and
burlesque. r'igh unto a mile in length
consisting Of mounted police, rough
riders, Woodmen and other civic go
cieties, colonial representatives, anc
ladies beautifully attired-in all ovel
fifty on horseback. These were in
terspersed between the floats and pri
vately decorated outfits. The float
I D