The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-05
BESSEMER'S Fourth
VERY SUCCESSFUL
Some of the Floats Were
Especially Attractive
BIG CROWD IN THE CITY
Council and City Committee VIII Both
Meet at City Hall Tonight
General News of Interest
In Bessemer

Bessemer, July 4-fspecial.l- 1.-THE prepa-
ratons made by the board of trade Tor
the celebration Of the FouFth were very
successfully carried out today with the
exception of the baseball games. which
were cancelled on account of rain Peo-
pie poured into the city on every train
today, and came in from the outlying
rural districts to attend the best celebra-
ton ever held in Bessemer. The crowd
was large and the streets were packed
all during the day, even the rain not driv-
ing them from the pursuit of amuse-
ment Instead of the outgoing cars be-
ing packed with people as was formerly
the case the cars coming into Bessemer
were damned with everybody and every
body's family.
The most successful feature of the day
was the parade. It came up to every ex-
pectation and many unique ideas were
displayed as an advertisement of the diff
ferent merchants in the city. To begin
with the parade was led by an automobile
containing the men who were responsible
for the celebration. They were ". P.
Gum, w S. Gilbert and J. A. B. Loyett.
s'st came the fire department, their uni
H3Sns cleaning from a weeks polishing
Rlad tie horses prancing TO the lively air
played by the Magic City Cornet band, 4
which was immediat ely behind the de-
partments. The remainder OF the parade
consisted of floats prepared by the mer-
chants of the city.
Perhaps the float that received the most
attention was put out by the Long
I
the familiar squared ring, and in the ring
two fighters were sparring. One represent
ed Johnson and the other Jeffres. This
was greeted with yells of delight by the
crowds that thronged the street. Another
float that was unique was put out by
the local camp of Woodmen of the
World. A LADY came by, riding at her
ease in a magnificent carriage which bore
this inscription: Ny deceased husband
was insured IL the X. 0. W. and see
where l am" Immediately behind this
was woman roughly dressed with many
children, working al The washboard. This
float bore the following legend: My de-
ceased husband was not insured in the
w o. W. and see where 1 am Az botn
of the ladies were married to ". o. W. s
this float caused a great deal of laughter
at the expense of the benedicts. The
third best float was that OF the Crotwell
perfect little house on wheels. It was
painted, had a chimney and window An
other unique exhibit was that of the
MINIS Furniture company 1t was a small
iron bed on sglky wheels drawn by
horse.
There is no doubt but that the parade
was a success, and those who have had
it in charge feel proud of the result of
their labors. At the close of the parade
at the city park a great part of the
crowd assembled to hear the address of
welcome by J. a. z. Lovett. The e. err
cises were opened with a prayer by the
Rev. VI. X. Thornton. pastor of the First
Baptist church. and he was followed By
W. p. Gum master of ceremonies " no
introduced DR.. Lovett. DR.. Lovett made
fiery speech, and not only welcor ed
the throngs before him to Bessemer. but
enlarged on his theme and dwelt at
length on the features of the district. At
times the doctor was very witty, and
was interrupted by frequent bursts of
spontaneous applause w. S. Gilbert was
next introduced, and he also spoke at
length on the advantages of patriotism 10
the country and 10 the city. He was
loudly applauded at the close of his talk
1t was intended to have some out-of-toWo
guests to speak but on account of bust
ness they were forced to be absent From
the park tho party adjourned to tht,
dinner table where the barbecue was
served
Dinner was in charge of a committee
OF ladies, men and policemen, who did
vallant work in appeasing the rayenous
appetites. The weather had been clear
up until the latter part of dinner, when
II began to rain, and was soon pour
Ing down heavily. The meat was hastily
covered and the diners fed for safety
from the shower
Keen was the disappointment of the
fans when II
would be no ball games owing to the
condition of the grounds. Many went
home but large number remained IN
town to hear the result of the big fight
IT was expected that there would be a
little trouble between the races when it
was learned that Johnson had won. Con-
trary to expectations, however, the NIGHT
passed off very quietly, there being no
serious ARRAYS. An unusual number of
DRINKS and disorderly cases were arrest
ed and will face Mayor Lewis tonor
row in the police court. The most Sc
rious ARRAY of the evening was between
negro man and woman. The man was
cut rather badly in the arm There was
very little celebration among the small
boys and no accidents from firecrackers
were reported.
The day has been spoken of as an ex-
ample of safe and sane" Fourth, and
the people of the town join in the praise
OF those who have engineered it so sue
cessfully. 1t is thought that the day will
be very beneficial one to Bessemer. as
It's hospitality has been greatly appre-
ciated by the out-of-town guests who
will spread the fame of the town abroad.
Tt is thought that the town has been
greatly benefited by the day and that
the expenses will come back many fold.
Tomorrow Nights Happenings
TomOrrOw night will he hus ono