The Washington herald., 1907-07-05

Washington spent a safe and sane
Fourth of July.
Accidents were few and pleasures many,
Irecrackers loud and children satisfied,
the weather just right. the holiday en-
j)yed by everybody. Speaking Of the
weather. the day was one of the coolest
Independence Days experienced in this
part Of the country for many years. And
there was no -ain, which refuted the ex-
p.anation which has been long given that
the smoke from explosives rising to the
heavens compels rain on the Fourth Of
July.
The country was the Mecca for all
pleasure seekers. The closing of all the
government departments served to make
the streets look undeserted. and when
right came the red cracker wrappings
Uttered every street and dismantled To-
man candles leaned against every tree
box.
The smaller children alone braved the
hottest part Of the day in ecstasies Of pa
triotlsm, but It was not until night that
adults and those older than adults re-
called the days of their youth and ran
away from the devil chasers and burned
their fingers on long unused punk. Pin
wheels spun on the dignfed oaks that
had for a year felt nothing save the silent
tread Of caterpillars. sky-rOCkets blazed
forth in every section OF the town, torpe-
does caused many a nervous shock 10 un-
suspecting citizens. and starring, scintil-
lating fiower-pOts poured out their harm
less. sedate showers.
Only Four Accidents Reported.
The reported accidents numbered only
four Leroy Saylor was the first victim
Of the day. when some one threw a can
non cracker at his chest which exploded
as he attempted TO throw it from him
and tore the flesh between his thumb and
forehnger. lie was taken to the George
town Hospital and after treatment sent
home. In a few hours he was again at
work on "A strenuous celebration. His
father, however. was not so easily salts
fed, and reported the matter 10 the Sew
enth precinct officers, who are making an
investigation.
The experimental tendencies Of Robert
Murray. twelve years old, living al SIS X
street northwest, caused him to pound a
railroad torpedo with a rock just to see
what it would do
He learned 10 his sorrow that II would
90 of and also that several burns and
bruises were on his arm.
Joe Lewis. of = 6 street southwest,
was burned by a giant cracker while on
N-a.. l.
Dobbys. Of 627 z street was injured
slightly on the leg by exploding powder.
Cinnamon Celebrate.
Just why the Cinnamon forget their
usual stolidity and do wonderful weird
things on the Fourth has never been ex-
plained. except that they love noise, and
find that day the only one on which they
can do so and maintain their reputation
as law-abiding citizens. But certain Il Is
that If grand displays and colossal ear
splits are a criterion they are patriots Of
patriots.
Last night Pennsylvania avenue. be-
tween Sixth and Four-and-a-half streets.
was thronged with persons watching the
Oriental fellows set off frecrackers. The
explosives We're stretched In long lines
from the third-story windows They
draped ironing boards, filed washtubs,
and blaCkened newly-washed laundry. but
gladdened the hearts Of the sons Of the
celestial kingdom. Then there wers those
strange bamboo packages of something
that sounds like dynamite and is really
more thunderous. which were allowed 10
rend the air at uncertain intervals. and
mingled with the oId-fsshioned cannon
crackers. made the night patriotcaIly hid
eOus about the Chinese quarter. II was
the Chinamens night. too.
The American factories with their pat
ent machinery. fell far short this year Of
the ingenuity of the Chinamens hands.
for they cOncocted some of the most De
culiar looking night works that have ever
been seen in Washington. Queer figures
Of dragons and mandarins lOated in the
darkness, only 10 suddenly expire: flame
balls spurted 10 the topmost heavens. and
seemed 20 vanish I'm the clouds: tiny
sparks Of flame went up and up. then
banged; and altogether, it was a notable
exhibition.
Patriots Observe Day,
The annual log-rolling and camp fire to
be given by the WOOdmen Of the World
and ladies' auxiliary. at Loener's Park. !
Bladensburg, was eminentIy successful. /
There were patriotic exercises. a wood |
chopping contest. athletic events. and
other amusements, and a tired. though
happy crowd came back into the city.
The lawn fete in progress in the Sher-
man-Barber tract. under the auspices Of |
combined patriotic and fraternal societies. |
attracted a number Of holiday seekers |
throughout the day Dr. Van Schaick 1
read the Declaration of Independence at /
2;30 o'clock. and several addresses fol-
lowed. Maj. F. 5. Hodgsou had charge !
of the programme of athletic sports. for /.
which prizes were given by local dealer /
in sporting goods. Foot and sack races 5
were the feature of the day. together |
with a blind target game, in which those /
who participated were blindfolded. turned /
around twice. and given an arrow to fit. /
as best they could. into the targets bulls /
eye. The fete will continue tonight and
tomorrow.
Crackers Burn Awnings
About noon yesterday the awning in /
front of store 1l05 F street caught ire :
frecracker thrown on the awning caused /
the blaze, which was extingUished by the /
proprietor Of the store after about SO /
damage had been caused.
Ffrecrackers are said 10 have caused a /
slight blaze in the store Of Edward Jones.
1S171h Seventh street northwest. about