Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1913-07-12
Thousands Throng Central Park
to See Scenes of rs
Re-Enacted.
Cheers and Applause Greeted
Ringing of the Old Lib
erty Bell.
GLORIOUS DAY FOR LOUISVILLE

The most patriotic and inspiring
Fourth of July celebration ever wit
messed in Louisville or Kentucky
was that held under the auspices OF
the knights of Columbus, when
10000 enthusiastic and \ highly
pleased people witnessed the grand
pageant and re-enactment of the
signing of the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence. A brilliant assemblage
was gathered beneath the trees and
Oh the hillside facing the stage,
where the splendid spectacle OF the
nations birth was enacted by fifty
six knights dressed in velvet
knickerbockers, silk blouses, pow
dered wigs, silk stockings and
silver-buckled shoes. The stage was
replica of the assembly room in
cid independence Hall, where the
forefathers declared "this to be a
free and Independent nation" The
furniture was of the Colonial type,
and on the Presidents table stood
the familiar ink horn and quill pen.
The stage faced the hill, and the
crowd was grouped about. much as
in the days of Rome. Lohg before
the performance began the park was
alive with people. Capt Hogan, of
the First police district, with twelve
officers and patrolmen and several
plain clothes men, was on hand to
keep order. A medical corps was
provided, but no accidents occurred.
The Choral Club, composed of
500 male and female voices, under
the direction of Prof. Anthony
Molengraft, was grouped on benches
at the left of the stage. AS delegates
to the Continental Congress began
to file into the hall these 800
voices, blended into the singing of
America" The entire audience
arose and stood with uncovered
heads while the national anthem
was sung. The young women of the
chorus were dressed in white, and
each waved an American flag during
the singing. The pageant was car
ried out in accordance with history.
At 2:45 o'clock Col. P. H. Calla-
han, as President John Hancock,
called the delegates to order After
the roll call by Edward Kirwan, as
Secretary Thomas Heyward,. Jr.,
Thomas A. Bohan, as Richard Henry
Lee, moved that the committee ap-
pointed to draw up the Declaration
should make its report. The famous
document was read by Camden Nc
Aztec, as Thomas Jefferson. and the
long debate being eliminated, the
Declaration was adopted upon the
motion of Louis A. Russell, as
Lyman Hall. After the roll had
been called and all of the delegates
voted faye" that the gauntlet should
be thrown down to England and the
war for independence be begun the
President gave the command that
the glad news be spread. The part
of the messenger, who so dis
tinguished himself on that first
Fourth of July, was taken by George
Francis Hardman, twelve-year-old
son Of s. r. Hardman. He, too,
was dressed in Colonial costume.
Jumping from the stage, he ran
through the crowd, up to the hill
TO the pergola, where reproduction
of the liberty bell hung as 1t OnCc
did in the old tower, and piled the
clapper while the crowd cheered and
applauded
While the members were signing
the Declaration the chorus sang
"Hail Columbia" and columbia,
the Gem of the Ocean" The grand
tableau, America" closed the exer-
cises. With the $50 members OF
the chorus as a background, Misses
Mary F. Fitzgerald. Marie Bannon
and Constance Cassidy formed the
central figures. They we're dressed
in white, with red, white and blue
sashes, and each wore a large
American Beauty in her hair. AS
the audience and the trained singers
united in singing '"The Star
spangled Banner" the crowd seemed
sea OF waving flags. From the
hands of the three young women OF
the tableau fluttered large silken
"Old Glorses." The assembled dele
gates stood at the front OF the stage
during this spectacle.
DR.. Walker B. Gossett, Chairman
OF the committee appointed by the
Sons of the Revolution to Judge the
essays on the Declaration OF Inde-
pendence was introduced by Col.
Callahan. Dr. Gossett announced
that Miss Grace Elizabeth Watson
was the winner of the $40 prize, and
also unexpectedly stated that the
Sons OF the American Revolution
had awarded a second prize OF IS
10 w. ]. Bryan sWelch for the next
hest composition. Miss Watson was
escorted TO the platform and COM
plimented by DR.. Gossett, Col Gala
han and many OF the Knights, while
the crowd cheered loudly. Her es-
say then was read by Camden re
Atee. The committee which Judged
the essays was selected from among
Sons OF the American Revolution
upon the invitation Of the Knights
of Columbus. Besides Dr. Gossett,
George T. Wood. j. b. Hundley,
President OF the Kentucky Society;
Allan n. Carter. George Il. Dan