Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1904-07-07
OUR BIG
CELEBRATION
Many People From Neishborins Towns
Attending.
ENORMOUS CROWDS FOR EACH DAY
Only One Accident - Order
Prevailed Throughout
-. the Three Days.

The big celebration is over,
everything came off as advertised
and the people generally are
much pleased with the result.
The weather was the best and
every feature of the program was
entered into with a vim. The
first days program commenced
with the parade which was formed
at the court house headed by the
Grangeville band, the liberty car
| with Miss Vivian Vercler as god
dess, the orator Francis Jenkins of
Moscow, Miss Grace Wineland
reader OF the declaration of indie
pendence, and Henry Wax presi-
dent of the day, and citizens in
carriages, followed by the pioneer
association. The parade passed
through the principal streets to
the grounds where the exercises
we're held. The morning program
consisted of instrumental and vo-
cal music, readings, the grafton.
and the grand barbecue, of which
nearly 1000 people partook. The
speaker and reader OF the declara-
tion were introduced by the presi-
dent of the day, and their efforts
were appreciated by the vast throng
that filled the grounds. At the
request of number of our readers
Mr.. Jenkins Grafton is here repro
duced:
Fellow Citizens: 1t is at this
season when nature clothed in her
loveliest robe that the American
people throughout the length and
breadth of the land, celebrate the
birth of their nation.
One hundred twenty eight years
ago, the founders of this govern
ment' signed h Q Declaration of
Independence-Then old Liberty
Bell pealed forth the signal of glad
tidings, to the waiting throng that
they were then FREE AND INDEPEN-
DENT PEOPLE, and in commemora-
tion of that grand event, we have
assembled here today. When this
mornings sunrise gun pealed forth
it's thunderous roar, heralding the
news to the ears of eighty million
of free-men, that another year had
been added to our national history
and this government still lives and
this day, its anniversary,
The pioneers of Grangeville and
of historic Idaho county, have very
wisely combined their reunion with
the festivities of the Fourth Of July
The pioneers Of all sections are de-
serving of great credit for their un-
faltering courage; it was they who
withstood the inclemency Of the
weather, suffered untold agonies
and hardships incident to pioneer
life. 1t was they who conquered
an inhospitable country, made il
possible for others to follow in their
Eake;wonderful changes have been
made since the first white settler
came to this section, thriving towns
and prosperous cities are here now,
where thirty five or forty years age
it was like a wilderness. In the
early sixties m iners came in search
of gold by the thousands toPierce,
Florence, Warrens, Salmon river
Elk City and Dixie. In those days
the miners, farmers and merchants
depended entirely upon one another
therefore, became very neighbor-
ly and fast friends and they now
love to meet at their reunions.
A great many miners since, are
now prosperous farmers. Yo u
have today fine improved farms,
W 9 | stocked, excellent schools.
your children have as good an
opportunity for an education at
those who live in larger cities.
| Lack Of time and space forbids
the publication of the poem writ
ten by Virgil Randall and dedi-
Gated to his pioneer friend, r. II.
Barton of Latah county, which
was read by Mr.. Jenkins.
In the Greek mythology, we read
an account of wonderfully made
shield, it was lavishly decorated,
almost beyond description; thif
shield was made bv Vulcan, one ol
the Greek gods who dwelt in Olum.
pus, and was presented to Achilles
a Greek warrior, it was said o.
this warrior and shield to be invul
nerable. Therefore, the Greek!
had confidence in both warrior ant
shield and due to this confidence
the Greeks vanquished the Trojan'
in many hard fought battle.
That grand and noble documen'
the Declaration Of Independence
like the Greek warrior and hi
shield, gave to the people OF tn
American colonies, great and un
.Ela,aa. thnnconA n