The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-03
WILL Be PRIVATE.
Fourth of July Celebration in
Topeka Limited.
No General Meeting Place for
Enthusiasts.
WILL BE MUCH NOISE.
Sale of Fireworks and Cracker S
Is Large.
NeighbOrhOOd Parties Will Be
Many and BOiSterOus.
WILL BE MUCH NOISE

In the face Of the very uncertain
weather conditions a prediction upon the
subject Of the celebration of July 4
IN Topeka this year is scarcely safe.
The outlook is that there will be an
n nusual number of "hzzes" among the
4 eecrackers ignited tomorrow, by reas-
4 j of the contact with wet grass.
- Generally speaking the celebration of
the Fourth will be conducted privately.
There will be no big public celebration.
The Topeka Republican Flambeau club
will betake itself to Ottawa to conduct
the discharge of $500 worth of fireworks.
Topekas principal orators have been
booked to deliver orations at celebra-
tions in the various small towns of the
Kaw and Wakarusa valley in Shawnee
county. A few have been called even
farther away but all. or nearly all, will
desert their own bailiwick. This is prob
ably due to the fact that none have
been invited to stay at home and
'orate."
The use of the word quiet" in con-
nection with the Fourth of July cele-
bration in Topeka, has been avoided
because it never was and never will be
applicable. The quiet celebrations will
be held in the green woods beside the
smooth waters in connection with a
corkscrew and a Dutch lunch. In town
there Will be noise even if the people
have to wear umbrellas and stand under
porch roofs to create it, Many people
viii go to Holton where there will be
big celebration.
Dealers in fireworks report large sales
this season. even in spite of the recent
flood. TOdays early morning rain will
nave more appreciable effect upon the
fireworks business than the whole of
the North Topeka flood. In Potwin ].
M. Brier will superintend a neighbor-
hood demonstration and, if the weather
prevents the holding of several picnics
that have been planned, it is likely that
the pyrotechnics purchased for those ex-
cursiOns viii somewhat lOcalize the
demonstration Of the day For once
Nopeka has no Garfield parlx~to go to
md must either stay at home or get
e'eth out of town. The disappointment
Az the failure Of the opening of Vine
Mood park will be somewhat essuaged
by the consideration that the rain would
have probably spoiled it for tomorrow
anyway.
A lot Of Topeka people will probably take
advantage OF reduced railroad charges 20
leave home for the day. A big celebration
Is on at Holton. another at Fsichland and
still another at Wakarusa The Ottawa
celebration has been mentioned above. TIL ?
state officers have abandoned the state
building will be one Of the silent places
around town tomorrow. Mauy of the state
tionary efforts in some part of the state.
50 that for most Of them tho Fourth, Of
July means work.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS.
Fire Chief Wilmarth said this morning:
I'm order that everything may BE- safe
and thoroughly protected against fire. /
have decided to retain the steamer and
crew of firemcn from Kansas City over
Sunday. ] hope their services will not he
needed. but Will take no chances l would
enjoin a continuance of the care that the
people of Topeka have observed in pro-
tecung themselves against fires. People
in North Topeka should be especially
Watchful OF course the general Of
fireworks on July Fourth is allowed by
the city ordinances and the fire depart
ment can only be on the alert to attend
fires that may occur result. While the
rain will serve to keep buildings wet and
viii in a measure be a fire protection, the
danger of fires starting inside buildings
Will be increased if the weather prevents
outside celebra ton"
During the last thirty days Fire Chief
Wilmarth,s department has preserved un-
injured its remarkable record for fire
protection despite the fact that 1t has
had only the most inadequate means for
fire fighting. During much of the time the
city water pressure has been either entire
~ off or wholly inadequate for use at fires.
The department has been more than ever
on the alert and prompt in attending fires.
There has not been a serious fire within
reach of the fire department in that time.
The townspeople have assisted the depart
ment by being careful and should be very