Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-07-07
AUDUBON HAD A
GREAT CELEBRATION
The Weather Was Ideal, Program
Was Fine, Attendance Large
And People Were Happy.


Monday was July the Fourth 1910.
The day was ideal for a celebration.
Audubon had big one 1t commenced
early and continued till a late hour.
Long before day light the szirmish com
menced on Broadway. At daylight the
artillery opened and salute of twenty
one guns was fired. The people were
astir at an early hour. In fact some of
them were astir most of the night. For
evidence ask those who room on the
south side of the park. By nine o'clock
the streets were crowded. The Audi
bon Cornet Band which looked as
though it had just emerged from a
steam laundry was on hand to furnish
the music. 1t met the Northwestern
train which brought the orator of the
day and crowd that came down from
the north. The same courtesy was ex
tended the visitors who came from the
south.
The parade formed on lower Broad
way. 1t moved at 10 o'clock. At the
head was a city hack containing the
mayor and president of the Commercial
Club. Then came the Audubon COrnet
Band followed by dozen automobiles
gaily decorated with flags and bunting.
Following were decorated floats and
carriages. The first and most pretentiOus
was one representing the department
store of Wilson & Freeman. 1t was
drawn by four white horses with the
harness wrapped in white. In fact
everything was in white. The wagon
and the canopy were draped in white
and the young ladies representing the
store wore white dresses. And while
passing along the street they threw
white handkerchiefs among the crowd
containing a card from the proprietors.
Other floats which were very finely got
ten up was one by d. E. Soar, two by
the Audubon Hardware Company and
one by the Shaw Hardware Company
which was simply a man dressed in
hardware armOr such as the ancient
warriors wore when they engaged in
battle The procession moved east and
south by way of the court house and
Presbyterian Church and back to the
place of starting.
PROGRAM AT THE PARK
The program at the park opened at
1870. w G.. Elliott, president of the
day had charge of the exercises. There
was good music by the band. There
was patriotic singing by a large chorus
choir in charge Of Prof J. w Landrum.
The invocation was offered by Rev. A.
B. Miller. Mrs E. l.. Finch read the
Declaration of Independence and also
recited a selection entitled Charge of
the First Minnesota at Gettysburg,
with much force and pleasing expires
sion. When the preliminary exercises
were over w. G.. Elliott introduced Hon.
b. |. Sallinger of Carroll as orator of
the day. Mr.. Sallinger promptly dis
claimed any pretensiOn to Oratory, but
at once turned trick on the audience
that made him master of the situation
which is the most important element of
effective platform OratOry. If there is
one thing more than another that will
quickly arrest the attention and gain
the sympathy of western audience it
is "reminiscences of pioneer days. So he
began by talking of early days when he
herded cattle on the prairie and slept
in livery stable in town; when he
taught school with pupils who knew
more than he did but he got the money;
when became to Audubon to be admit
ted to. the bar and the examination con-
sisted of an oyster supper which he was
glad to furnish: when he commenced
practice at Manning, his assets being u
wife and three babies.
OUR COUNTRY IS ALL RIGHT.
Mr.. Sallinger said he wanted it I'M
derStOOd at the beginning that he didn
believe the country was going to the
dogs and he would not present that
kind of doctrine. This was not day
for shedding tears and running down
the United States The Fourth is a day
for enjoyment Of family associations and
county celebrations and all troubles
should be. forgotten. He believed the
same kind Of u man was better off here
than any other place in the world. The
three great wars tell the whole story of
this country, which sounds like tale
from the Arabian Knights The War
of the Revolution was fought for indie
pendence both of thought and action;
the CivilsWar for the preservation of
the uniontan the freedom of the colored
race; the war with Spain for the rights
and opportunities of humanity. Mr..
Sallinger made patriotic and practical
address that was appreciated by his
large audience who gave it an attentive
and thoughtful hearing.
THE AFTERNOON PROGRAM
The forenoon program completed,
dinner was in order. Pretty soon the
park and many other lawns were dotted
with family picnics where good things
to eat were spread in great abundance
and variety. Even to the locker on,
which was our high privilege, the din
ner hour is one of the most attractive
and pleasing parts of the entire program
on the Fourth Of July. In the afternoon
there were races and other amusements
OF these we can say nothing more than
give the names of the winners. In the
tug of war the country won against the
town; in the footrace, G. E. Mclaughlin
in the 100 yard dash B. F. Higgins; il