Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-07-05
DURANCO'S
GAY FOURTH
Day Long to be Remember.
ed...Great Crowds-..A
Good Time

Another great and glorious Fourtl
has come and gone. and it will b'
lonk remembered MS one of the grea
days In the history OF Durango.
Great crowds had come from sur
rounding towns to help celebrate
leaving all cares behind. Home peO
pie had looked anxiously forward tt
the day and when the morning of tbs
Fourth dawned everybody was read,
for the big celebration. Flags were
waving and bunting was flying ant
the carnival tents and the Ferris
wheel and the various other attrac
tions of the Carnival company had
completely transformed the city from
great center OF business and indus
try to a swarming community oi
gaiety and fun.
The cannon, which was made espec
tally for the Fourth last year by John
r. Ball and presented to the city Of
Durango for good and all time. to be
used so long as the Fourth of July
shall be celebrated, began its boom
boom" from the top of the bill wesi
of the river at break of day, remind
ing all sleepy heads that Of all days
of the year this was no time to lie
abed.
A little rain had fallen during the
night but the greater part of the
morning was fair and everybody was
in the best Of spirits.
The parade was simply grand. II
formed ON Third avenue and marched
south to Fifth street: thence to First
avenue; then north to Eleventh
street: then to Third avenue; then
south to Seventh street; then east to
Fifth avenue, and then south to the
park.
The Durango band. handsome IN
their new uniforms-red coats. white
trousers and white caps-headed the
procession. Next came the float car
rying the queen. Miss Ella Jackson
the maids of honor and the chorus ol
80 girls, who sang patriotic songs as
they went along The great wagon
was beautifully decorated. and the
queen and attendants and the sing
ers we're all attired In a most charm
ing manner, everyone wearing the ma
tional colors. The great load was
drawn by six horses, driven by Coun-
ty Commissioner George c.. Logan.
Next came the carryall. also decor
ated with flags and bunting. for the
WomAn's Relief Corps and veterans
who. were unable to walk.
Then came the Grand Army, fol.
lowed by. the Sons OF Veterans.
They were followed by carriages
bearing the mayor city council, min.
isters and Judge Ben. B. Lindsey.
The Modern Woodmep came next,
looking spick and span in their blue
uniforms. Each member carried an
ak as an emblem of the order.
The Red Men were also In line,
wearing sashes and badges.
Then came. the boys and girls on
horses. The girls we're dressed in
the national colors and carried broad
Turkish swords (made Of TIM and the
boys wore blue overalls with broad
white stripes on the outside. They
carried lances and the brigade made
very pretty appearance. The Hag.
gart boy, dressed as Uncle Sam, rode
Shetland pony.
The water wagon was out. hand.
somely decorated and bearing the
sign. Our long suit--good water
direct from mountain springs"
The Durango brewery had a great
fioat----a large dray wagon tastily dec.
GRATED with flags, bunting and vines.
1t was fxed In imitation, of a barroom
and the female impersonatos, Bert
McCarvey. served the customers. The
customers were composed mostly OF
the German band" that crowd of 10.
cal comedians who get together on oc-
casionsI like this and make people
laugh
brennan u Gantner also had float
advertising their cigar business.
All the park seats in the city had
been taken to the South Side park.
All these seats were filled and many
'NoSe "P. ho SAcfSiscs were open
ed by an invocation by Rev. Father
Duffy. followed by singing by the
chorus OF young ladies' Prof. Rodeck.
er read the Declaration of Independ.
ence. and then owing to threatening
rain 1t was announced that all other
exercises would be dispensed With
and the speech of the day, by Judge
Ben. B. Lindsey of Denver, would be
heard. That distinguished gentleman
was introduced by Mayor Mcconnell
In a few well chosen words. The
Judge was greeted with great ap
plause before be had said word,
moving that he held a warm place In
ne hearts Of the people for the good
le has done.
He had uttered but few sentences,
owever, when the little drops OF
ain grew bigger and fell faster, and
lster. and then Mr.. Mcconnell an.
ounced an adjournment to the court
ouse. where the speech could be
sard without interruption.
The great court room was soon
I'D and Tho ur,aoct wss uatonod IN