Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1914-07-05
MESA
MESA CELEBRATION
IS GREAT SUCCESS

The Fourth o. July celebration at
Mesa was ushered in yesterday
morning at sunrise, or rather at the
time when the sun was supposed to
be rising, the clouds obscuring the
first event of the day. by the Mesa
city band with a splendid program
of patriotic airs. From the firing OF
the first anvil yesterday morning
soon after daylight until the closing
OF the Home, Sweet Home waltz
had been played early this morning
at the grand ball held in the Vance
auditorium, the day was success.
There We're no serious accidents
to mar the pleasure of the celebra-
ton. The showers which happened
along yesterday morning shortly be-
fore nine o'clock delayed the parade
somewhat but nevertheless it was
good natured throng that braved the
threatening weather to see the splen-
did parade, which was a feature of
the day. The parade, which ended
at Drew's park was one of the best
ever seen in the city, the floats be-
ing works Of art and many COM
mendable remarks were heard as to
| their merit The sports throughout
the afternoon were well attended and
| much interest was taken in the sew
eral events
On account of a recent government
ruling the Indian war dance was dis
pensed with. 1t seems that this form
of amusement has been tabooed. The
other event that was cancelled was
that of the goat-tying, which was
prevented by the county Humane so
ciety. The local devotees of the
sport claim that it is in no wise
cruel. but when the committee learn
ed that the county organization
would interfere in case the event was
| pulled off, the number was dispens-
ed with.
| The parade proceeded east along
Main street past the judges stand
| located at the corner of Main and
Macdonald and thence north along
Center street to Drew's park. The
floats We're lastly decorated the
more noticeable being the thirteen
original states, and the ostrich, rep
! y.
bird was the handwork of J. r.
Pressly and was splendidly executed,
| it being the opinion of the judges
that it should be given the first
prize, purse of so. Another float
OF interest was the automobile, rep
tesenting the warship which is to
| be named Arizona. Following the
floats were the cowboys riding gaily
decorated horses, and following these
We're the line of decorated automo-
miles. The marshal of the day. Cap
tain Joseph E. Noble, headed the
parade. followed closely by Company
D. The Mesa city band furnished
the music along the route. The
streets were crowded with hundreds
of people from Higley, Chandler, Gil
bert and the adjoining country sur
| rounding Mesa. There were as MANY
from Tempe, a number of fans COM
ing to this place to see the Tempe
team defeat the locals in a seven
inning game at the uptown park.
The afternoon session at the park
was attended by the largest number
Of people. Many picnic parties were
formed for the noon day meal and
hundreds of people enjoyed the
splendid shade and grounds at one
of the prettiest parks in the state
The sorts We're important features
of the afternoon
The speaking, following the picnic
dinner at the park, was well attend
ed and was one of the interestint
features of the day. The ball game
followed Immediately after the con-
clusion of the program at the park
A large number of the people who
had been at the north side park
1ou.neyed from Drew's park to tn.
local baseball grounds where They
witnessed a splendid game.
j. R. Rountree acted in the cap.
acity of master of ceremonies. intro
cuclng the speakers, Corporation
Commissioner Geary and DIR. ]. B
Nelson. The stake choir rendered ;
selection and the Mesa City ban,
rendered patriotic music.