Omaha daily bee., 1906-07-05
ALL OMAHA HAS A HOLIDAY
Parks, Pleasure Resorts and Sporting
Events Attract Large Crowds.
ONE ACCIDENT LIKELY TO PROVE FATAL
John Lee, a ThIrteen-Year-Old BOY,
Shot Through the Lung with Tar
get Rine-NumerOus other
Accidents,

something out OF the ordinary yeStcruay
to celebrate the Fourth of July than on
any other Independence day. With cool
sunny weather up to noon thousands were
lured to the resorts and parks and to
quiet basket picnics Towards the mid
die Of the day clouds formed suddenly
and light showers caused apprehensions
among the people enjoying or contemplate
ing outings. The threatening conditions
continued for the rest Of the day, though
little rain fell and a good share of the
time sunlight reassured the doubtful. The
facilities Of the garages and livery stables
were exhausted early and it was highly
profitable day for the street railway COM
psny.
The celebration passed with only one
serious accident in Omaha, so far re-
ported This was the accidental shooting
of John Lee, aged 13 years, brother or
City Prosecutor Thomas f. Leg. A TWEEN
two caliber bullet Dlowed its way
through one of his lungs and the attend
ing physicians fear he may lose his lte.
There were the usual sprinkling of minor
mishaps. including parting with fingers
and damaged eyes. but most Of the In
juries were caused by direct violations OF
the ordinances limiting the size of ex-
plosives and prohibiting rifles, revolvers
and cannons.
Socialists start Something.
A red flag hoisted by the socialists who
were holding a picnic at RiverView park
almost precipitated a riot there in the
afternoon. A small group of socialists
and members of the Independent Workers
of the World, all to the number of less
than 100, gathered about o'clock to lis
ten to speeches from Kansas and local
orators Before the speechmaking began
a plain crimson cloth was run up on the
stan of small tent and Immediately be-
meath it a small red flag bearing the word
Socialists" Several thousand other per-
sons were in the park to listen to the
music furnished by Thiele's orchestra,
many belonging to picnics being held by
the First Reformed church and the Sec
ond PRESBYTERIAN church congregation,
while others were in family and nelghbor-
hood groups Among them were a num-
ber of old soldiers and these first revolted
at the sight of the red flag.
At the solicitation of the anti-socialists
Park Policeman Pete Hanson and Conces-
sionaire James p. Connolly were notified
of the incident and the policeman i'm
medistely ordered the socialists to lower
the anarchistic banner. They demonstrated
at first but the attitude of the crowd was
so threatening that they complied in few
minutes. Demands were made to have ihe
party expelled from the park and a re-
furst was made on POliee Captain Dunn
TO do this but the latter refused to act
! as long as the socialists conducted them
selves peaceably and kept the flag down.
! The socialists proceeded to listen to the
/ speeches prepared and no more trouble oc-
CURED The talkfest did not last a great
while and was the usual declaration
against the existing order of things.
Capacity of Resorts Taxed.
Thousands went to Lake Manawa and
Krug park, where special programs Of
amusements had been prepared terminating
with large displays of fireworks. Al both
places the capacity was taxed all day and
/ something Of congestionrtook place dur
/ ing the evening.
At Florence an old-fashoned Fourth OF
! July celebration, started by the firing of
| sunrise salute with anvils was attended
| by the people OF the village and several
| hundred Omahans. In the morning Judge
Lee S. Estelle delivered a patriotic ad-
dress from bunting covered stand under
/ the Brigham Young cottonwood in the city
| park Before and after the speaking music
was played by the Irvington band and a
| fife and drum corps. In the afternoon a
big program of horse races and athletics
was carried out prizes being hung up by
| the local merchants. Dancing was en-
| joyed at the city hall from o'clock until
midnight. A fine exhibition of fireworks
was given at the corner of State and Mah
streets in the evening. The town was
| gaily decorated with flags and the national
! colors and possessed a gala appearance.
One of the features OF the day was a
| clay pigeon shoot in which Henry Nc
! Donald won first money and Assistant City
! Engineer Craig of Omaha the second
prize There were about ten participants
Miller park was well used both by golfers
! on the public links and by the members
! Of the Omaha Cricket club. who played g
match during the morning This was the
| first cricket Of the season in Omaha.
sports Attract Crowds.
Large crowds attended the two base bal
! games between the Omaha and Des Moine'
league teams at Vinton Street park. Al
the Country club where the match between
| twenty-five Country club and as many
Field club golfers was the point OF interest
the scene was animated all day. The semi
1 dpaIs of the Field club tennis tourney