Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-07-05
No Serious Mishsps Reported as Re.
suit of Local Observance.
CELEBRATION WAS GENERAL
Citizens Make Holiday, but Do So
Without Much Fuss.
FLORENCE LEADS IN FESTIVITIES
Old-Fashioned Celebration at the
Pretty suburb Draws Many OF tbs
City's People to It's Games
and Fireworks.

1t was indeed a glorious Fourth.
Omahans forgot their work and their trou-
bles and went pleasure seeking, not un-
mindful of the fact that the holiday was
meant to honor the nativity OF the nation.
Those who did not hear or read patriotic
speeches. and in fact all who did bought
for their boys irecrackers and thus pro-
vided for themselves continual reminder
of the noble fathers OF the Declaration
Had John Hancock and Samuel Adams
been on earth they might we'll have been
proud of the patriotism OF their country
men on the banks of the Missouri.
Accidents? OF course there were acct
dents; there always are on the Fourth.
There were accidents TO be regretted, but
the restrictions placed by the mayor and
police on the use OF explosives kept their
number low. The havoc wrought by
powder was nothing like what II has been
in years when cannon crackers and pistols
were allowed free play.
The day before the Fourth the irre-
presslble small boy heard the story OF
American freedom After supper he
touched off a few frecrackers. enough to
last him from o'clock until about 10.
Just to see II they were good. About )
o'clock on the morning OF Independence
hdS Dt btkdH NtltnTdNllb tAiHooNs fEoAn
that hour until midnight the air was rent
by explosions OF one sort OF another.
Canes and small crackers smote the air
everywhere, but luckily for eyes and limb.
the fear Of the law kept pistols and cam
non crackers silent.
Many Places to Celebrate.
The real old-fashioned Fourth was cell
ebrated by a host at Florence with all
the glories of fervid oratory, lemonade
and games Manawa and Cut-on lake
offered successful lure to many thousands.
both by day and night, with boating.
yachting. bathing and the cool shade of
trees. The parks of the city Afforded
great pleasure to human hordes who
swarmed the street cars to scatter them~
selves In sylvan retreats. Pa Rourke's
ball tossers were out OF town, so the fans
distributed themselves among q number
Of minor games. attended the prize fight
at Cut-Off. watched the motor cycle races
or observed. the efforts OF Fredsrickson's
airship. g
No sort Of pleasure was neglected. Ths
steamer on the river was a merry piace,
Mmwood park was full OF picnickers;
golf and tennis held sway at the Field and
Country and Happy Hollow clubs. Gar
ages and livery stables were emptied OF
the vehicles. Krug park was the play
ground of thousands. Lemonade and soda
water suffered on every side.
Movement Was General,
Street cars we're taxed to their capacity
ali day. Extras were put on early in the
forenoon to carry the crowds 70 suburban
resorts Still more had to be used in the
evening to bring them back. for most Of
them stayed out all day and all wanted
TO start home at once.
Mr.. J. F1uvius showed the good side OF
his makeup by staying in the antipodes
and the sun smiled pleasantly all day
while the breezes blew. Yes It was a little
hot but not too hot TO enjoy the celebra-
ton.
Fireworks at night ended It all fery
glory lighted the regions OF Lake Manawa
and Florence. and from all parts OF Omaha.
South Omaha and Council Blufis Roman
candles sent up their pretty balls and sky
rockets ascended.
Young Omaha is waiting for the next
Fourth.