Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-07-19
Fourth Of July "reminiscences.

/ never could think a Fourth of
July was as interesting in a big
city as it is in a smaller place.
Not that they don't celebrate, but
there is always so much noise in
crowded city that little more is
but slightly noticeable. When
you get ready for celebration and
picnic in smaller town or city,
there is an exhilaration and feel
ing of expectancy that seldom
comes with the same force else
where. Why, there are hours of
pleasure spent in the preparation
of the good wholesome food from
garden and farm, that is carried to
your barbecues and picnics. Far
better is your barbecued meat or
fried chicken than that which is
cooked over a gas stove, or the
kind bought "ready to serve"
For several days before the Fourth
the celebration begins. The car
tracks are lined with explosives,
and you do not feel safe anywhere,
for torpedos and firecrackers are
hurled promiscuously about, and
unless policeman is in sight, you
feel as if you might be blown up
without any warning whatever. |
see by the REGISTER that you had
some of our St. Louis men to
speak for you at your celebration.
| wish I might have been present,
but since | was not, l thought of
the people and remembered the
many times I had looked forward
for the days to the Fourth of July
picnic. Many days before we
would watch the sky and wonder
if we would have a pleasant day,
and hope of all days, the Fourth
of July might be clear, cool and
pleasant. Early on the eventful
day we would be reused from our
slumbers by the small boy, and
the large boy too, out with his
firecrackers, gun and cannon, max
ing the air resonant with warlike
sounds, and sighting no one, as
he dragged his rather cumbersome
cannon along fireing his morning
salute, with a following of boys
almost equal to circus parade.
1t was no use to try to sleep, so
you might as we'll be up and do
ing for the day, and ready to
march with the procession. By
this time, too, a stream of wagons
would begin to come from the
different directions of the compass,
and by the time the sun had cast
his first rays across Pilot Knobs
rocky point, the town was very
much alive, and the celebration
had actually begun. I remember
some years ago, not yet having
attained the age that | might 60
without "asking', there was to be
a big barbecue just beyond Ar
cadia. Never having been to a
barbecue, the younger generation
especially we're anxious to go.
Not only the inhabitants of the
nearby towns turned out, but
scores from the whole country,
and all seemed to have a most
satisfactory time. In the early
morning there was the same hur-
Trying of the gentler sex, getting
together the lunches and the um.
brellas and parasols that always
accompanies an outing. Very
well do | remember the Joy and
satisfaction, added to the Other
pleasures of the Fourth, that was
experienced bya small girl, who
on her way over, stopped at one Of
the well known dry goods stores,
and there was permitted by hel
mother to select her first lace
covered sunshade. Further down
the line we recall young girl in
white, bent on meeting a crowd,
who in her haste dropped from hel
corsage beautiful rose, which