The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-07-10
THE CELEBRATION AT CAMBRIA,

The time honored institution OF
celebrating the glorious Fourth again
took place in Wagner'S grove where
the community of Cambria township
have met together for over forty
years for this patriotic purpose.
The day dawned without much
prospect of any glorious undertaking
or enjoyment for the rain had fallen
in torrents during the past twenty
four hours and the sky was of leaden
hue all over the horizon. AT about
1920 a. m. however the wind changed
and rose and blew the clouds in great
rapidity away and ere noon the sun
shown brilliantly and the crowds
arrived in quick order. BY one
O'Clock the holiday seekers had
gathered and sat under the thick
foliage to eat their picnic dinners.
The gay summer attire OF the
maidenS and the decorations and
trappingS OF the base ball teams and
the horses bore excellent contrast to
the bright green of the newly
watered verbage of this SequeStered
nook along the banks OF the Cam bria
Creek and the Little Cottonwood.
At 2 p m. the bugle sounded and
the throng gathered around the old
platform, which stands in that beau
tiful spot year after year like an altar
devoted to patriotism, for the fourth
is almost exclusively its only use.
The program, which had been ar
ranged by the fourth of July commit
tee, which committee by the way is
elected year in advance, was of
more than ordinary interest.
The Rev. DR.. Jones of Stewartville
had been invited to give the special
|oration, which was gem of literary
ability and delivered with excellent
taste and elOcution. Many excellent
numbers were rendered vOcally and
fundamentally The Horeb and Salem
choirS sang beautiful patriotic and
national choruSeS.
One excellent dialogue also capti-
waited the crowd which was called
"Uncle Jonathan's Holiday" render
ed by number Of Salem COngrega-
tional Sunday school children, super
intended by Mrs. Evan Davis and
Miss Mullen, schoolmistress of No. 10
school house. The trio OF children OF
Mr.. w. f. Jones of Mankato were
very much appreciated and several
pieces that were spoken, especially
the one rendered by Miss Kepum,
s.Our National Birthday"
The Rev. L. III. Griffith was as u.s.
ual encored on his violin solos, and
the bardic illusions of the Welsh
poets were quite inspiring:
And everybody in the camp
Seemed their fire to feel,
To shout hurrah for Uncle Sam
And make his eagle >squeal.
At night at O'Clock another con-
cert was held in the HOreb school
house .when another excellent pro-
gram was rendered. The concert was
presided over, by DR.. Jones and the
parties already named did excellent
service again in the evening. The
gathering including w. E. and r. f.
Jones of Salem and Judson townships,
and Professor Roberts of Lake Crystal
presided at the organ. Miss Nichol
spoke piece, GOOD By Jim; Take
Care of YerseI
After the concert an excellent dis
play of fireworks took place Superin-
tended by Earnest Hughes OF Cambria
postoffice; and the happy and merry
throng went home by the light of the
moon which lent beautiful halo
around the summer night of a day
which is much cherished by the true
American citiZenS-althOugh the
morning started in SO unpropitiouSly
On Sunday, the 9TH inst, DIR. Jones
stayed over among his appreciative
countrymen, and preached two most
edifying sermons in the Salem Con-
gregational church. In the morning
the sacrament of the Lords supper
was administered by the illuStrouS
divine and six members were adj
mitted into church fellowship by the
pastor of Salem church, the Rev.
Griffith-MrS. Stephen Jones, Miss
Matte Lewis, three Miss Williams of
Cambria and Miss Harris.
The Salem church was crowded to
it's utmost capacity to sattend these
special services, and though the heat
was intense the congregation were
slow to leave and gave evidence that
this was the browning time of the
Fourth otJuly celebrations.
Mr.. James Price and Mr.. and Mrs.
Evan Price and the Rev. Mr.. Row
lands of Hazel church and Mr.. and
Mrs. Evan Harris deserve the great
est credit for their efforts put forth
in behalf of the time honored event;
and Mr.. Evan Hughes of Mankato for
the excellent quartette rendered by
him and his marty