The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-02
A NOISY FOURTH.
~
Business in Fireworks Is Larger
Than Ever.
Flood Disaster Didn't Dampen
ArdOr Of Enthusiasts.
THINGS ARE QUIET NOW
Police Have Squelched the Pre-
mature Celebration.
Street Car Bombs Are the Lat
est Noise Producers.
THINGS ARE QUIET NOW

Although the manifestations of the
approach of July Fourth in Topeka ap-
pear subdued this year. the men VINO
sell fireworks say that business is as
good or better than ever and that any
supposition to the contrary is mistaken
Because the police are holding the pre-
mature celebration of Independence day
down to a minimum some of the people
have contracted notion that this years
celebration would be fzzle. The re-
porter who investigated the matter en-
tertained this opinion.
NO said T. J. Coughlin who, as
wholesaler and retailer handles a big
per cent of the fireworks Topeka will
shoot off this year, business is very
good. 1 have already sold $500 worth.
I am inclined to think that more stuff
is being sold here this year than ever.
Probably the south side is prohting
from the carnage to the business of
North Topeka stores by the flood The
North side merchants are, perhaps,
holding down their stocks on this ac-
count The danger of fire over there
may have something to do with that but
on this side sales have been brisk and
OF cOnsidera bic amounts. There will be
lot of stands opened in the next two
days and from then on until Saturday
night business viii be as lively as ever.
There are not many novelties this year
and people will have to rely upon the
old standbys for their noise"
ME-. Coughlins statement was sup
ported by several stand keepers and
confectioners who carry fireworks as
side line in season. Although the
Fourth is approaching quietly it will
probably be no less vociferous than or
dinarily Wnen it does arrive. The small
Inhabitants of boyville are secretly plot
ting the wicked things they will do to
the peace of the community and are
practicing behind the barn and in va
cant lots with the fireworks they have
been able to purchase or appropriate
ahead of time. Probably il the small
boys around town could be interviewed
they could throw a far clearer light
upon the Fourth of July celebration
question.
One stand keeper. who has laid in A
his business so far had been equal to
that of any year in his previous exper-
fence with Fourth of July supplies. He
said:
It's too early yet for the stands to
begin their trade. People are keeping
their stocks indoors yet because they
wouldn't sell any more If they had them
out in front. The heavy business will
mot commence until after Friday noon
and from then on it will rush all Friday
flood has made any difference in the sit
uation. Everybody will celebrate a lit
tie and some will spend more money
than usual so that I have no fears
about my trade. The stocks are fresh
and new and will go fast when the
time comes. ~.
Although novelties are few there is
one which. in particular will call atten-
ton to itself when it gets into the hands
of the Fourth of July celebrant 1t is
an explosive cap, of the same substance
as that used in the "canes" which APP
peared on the market last year and
have reappeared this time in augmented
numbers. The new one however, is in
tended for use on street car tracks. As
yet the stOrekeepers are keeping them
out of sight for fear of protest from the
city authorities if their acquaintance
should be made prematurely. In ap-
pea'ance the caps look like a section
sliced from a small ball. 1t may be
nothing less than dynamite, which it
resembles, but the storekeepers haven't
said. When one of these things is ex-
ploded beneath a car wheel it is calcu-
lated to jar all the windows in the
block. With the assistance of this new
engine of decentralization the impend-
ing Fourth of July is likely to rupture
all the nerves that the quiet, elderly
people have left from the last time.