Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1906-07-06
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH
Grand Celebration of the Nation $
Birthday at Falls City Enjoyed
by Our Citizens.

Inc l3Oth anniversary OF lndepend-
ence Day passed into history amid
bursting bombs, crashing national
salutes, blaring bands and cheering
throngs. The temperature being
slightly lower made the day an ideal
one in which to celebrate the nations
birthday, and fully 1900 OF our citizens
early departed for Falls City and par
ticipated in the grand celebration at
that place.
The first train from Dallas, after
making several additions of cars, left
about o'clock and on arrival at Falls
City our citizens proceeded to make
themselves comfortable and to indulge
in the good things that had been pre-
pared for their entertainment by the
enterprising inhabitants of our sister
city.
An excellent program of various
events had been prepared and a base
ball game, between the Falls City
boys and Guthrie, started the ball
rolling, the Guthrie team winning by
a score of Z to 3.
Promptly at 10 80 o'clock the parade
started from the city to the park on
the heights, led by Grand Marshal of
the Day, Fred Holman. Next in line
came the Chemawa Indian School
Band, diseoursing patriotic and
martial airs, followed Immediately by
carriages containing President of the
Day, Hon. Frank Butler, Hon. f. A.
Lucas, Mayor Of Falls City, Hon.
Clifton N. Macarthur of Portland,
Orator Of the Day and Prof. G. L.
Starr of Dallas. Thirteen young
ladies of the Falls City public schools.
dressed to represent the thirteen col
onies, were next in line, and were
followed by score Of Siletz Indians
in their native costume. Immediately
following the Indians came prominent
citizens in carriages and on foot.
The line of march was concluded at
the grand stand and the exercises of
the day were next on the program.
After selection by the Chemawa
band the vast concourse of celebrators
raised their voices in the singing OF
the grand old anthem, "America,"
after which Rev. G.. N. Rounds Of the
Methodist church invoked the
Almighty for a blessing upon this
celebration Of our nations birthday.
| A Il hn ho fnll Of
the conclusion of which Hon. Frank
Butler introduced Supt. @. L. Starr as
reader of the Declaration of Inde
pendence. Mr.. Starr made a few re-
marks as to the importance Of every
youthful American understanding in
diligently the glorious sentiments
expressed in the Declaration Of Inde
pendence, and then proceeded to read
the same in his usual masterly man
ner. A choir next rendered "Ihe
Star Spangled Banner"
The President of the Day, in a few
well-chosen remarks, next introduced
as Orator of the Day, Clifton N, Nc
Arthur of Portland. In brief Mr.
Butler said that it filled him with
pride and pleasure to bring before
that assemblage the grandson Of Ore
CONS grand old pioneer and former
u. S. Senator James w. Nesmith, and
that although Mr.. Macarthur hailed
as coming from Portland yet he felt
that the grandson of this grand old
man, who did so much to forward and
promote the welfare of Oregon was by
no means a stranger and really be-
longed to Polk county. Mr.. Macarthur,
in brief and eloquent address spoke
of the greatness and strength OF our
fathers in their battles and sufferings
, to overcome the obstacles Of tyranny
and oppression to the end that we
might enjoy a peace and prosperity
unequalled in the history of past OF
present ages. In conclusion the
speaker mentioned the seeming in.
difference of our people to the growing
evil of civic unrighteousness and
cautioned his hearers to pay more
heed and to use their utmost endeavors
to blot out that monster which is sap.
ping the vitality of our beloved nation
At the conclusion of the address, six.
teen young ladies favored the assem-
blage with flag drill and a selection
by the band finished the exercises oi
the morning.
The dinner hour having arrived the
crowd next proceeded to satisfy the
cravings of healthy appetites. Many
celebrators had brought lunches, and
scattering along the banks of the
river and through the beautiful park
made of the celebration a vast picnic
Laughing faces, happy greetings, thu
aroma of delicious viands, ,intersperseC
with the bursting Of tirecrackers anC
the Joyous shouts of the festive Young
American lent to the celebration 1
pleasure and happiness not soon tC
be forgotten.
Att 80 O'Clock log-roIling contes
drew the crowd to the banks of thu
river and the assemblage gathered
much amusement from the mishapl
of some of the contestants, who wer
treated to several involuntary baths
The Calithumpians or Plug Uglie
next paraded from the city to the parl
and drew the attention of the cele
orators, much laughter being provokeC
by their antics and ridiculous make
ups. An exhibition of the nationa
game, between Dallas and Chemawa
was next on the program, which re
suited in defeat for the Dallas team
the score being 10 to in favor of tn
Indians. A timber falling contest ol
| the public square furnished furthe
entertainment, which was followed b.
an amusing pillow fight, an Indial
dance by Siletz Indians in their nativ
costumes, and various small games
including a wood saving contest b.
several young ladies.
The day drawing to a close next saV
/ the inhabitants of the surrounding
country proceeding to their homes
those who remained being entertaine
by a grand display of fireworks in tn
evening. A grand ball concluded tn
days festivities, which was greatl