Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-01-13

Quent and benttlng manner. Ills de
scription of the park and it's beauti
full surroundings was true to life
! and highly appreciated by all VIII
heard him. His effort was too grea
to have been condensed into a fiv
minute talk, but all took in the sit
uation and declared his speech ex
cellent and among the best Afte
music by the two bands, Frank G
Yeoman, of the State Leader, spok'
about ten minutes in very inter
esting and animated manner. Hi
idea of the value and beauty of tn
park and it's surroundings was per
haps more exalted than that of any
other speaker, and the compliment
paid Mr.. Rosencrans was highly ap
preciative and met with hearty re
spouse in the minds of all present
Mr.. Yeoman is ready talker, and
was thoroughly inspired with the
spirit of the occasion. .-
The day is one long to be remem-
bered. Many new acquaintance
were formed, and those from our
neighboring towns and cities ex-
pressed themselves as highly pleased
with our city and her park. Over a
hundred came from Eagle Grove and
vicinity, and about the same from
the directions of Iowa Falls, Lehigh
and Fort Dodge. The afternoon was
spent in strolling about the park and
visiting different points of interest
in the city-"the whole concluding"
with the firemen's parade and dance
in the evening.
The second annual park opening
was followed by third in 1887
equally successful and enthusiastic,
then by fourth in 1888 at which
J. P. Dolliver and Capt. Yeoman Of
Fort Dodge were the principal speak
ers and by a fifth in 1889 at which
Judge Isaiah Doane was principal
speaker. The Judges closing re-
marks, so characteristic in showing
his style of oratory and in describ-
ing the beauties of the park. we give
below:
JUDGE DOANE'S ADDRESS.
And now few words as to this
fourth Of June anniversary, and i
have done.
This charming park, with it's syl-
van groves: it's miniature mountains
and valleys; it's sparkling fountains;
it's ripping river; it's bubbling
springs; it's shady hooks; it's menag-
erie of animals; with its promenades
and pavilions; its seats, swings and
other conveniences and adornments,
was first formally opened to the pub
lie as a pleasure resort, on the 4th
day of June, 1884, by the proprietor,
Hon. S. B. Rosencrans, whose honor
ed name it bears. The citizens of
the town and surrounding country
were invited to come and make 1t a
festive occasion by ,partaking of a
picnic dinner, and carrying out a
short and simple program of literary
exercises, and social amusements. So
marked was the success of the exper-
iment that each succeeding 4th Of
June has been celebrated in like
manner, with increasing interest,
until the day has come to be the hol-
iday of the season; as is evidenced
by the throngs of happy participants
in the exercises and pleasures of this
day.
Right wildly does your humble
speaker remember when all this
beautiful scenery was primeval
forest with an almost impenetrable
mesh of matted underbrush and de-
caying trees, overlooking the then
unpretentious little village of "New
Castle" along the bank of Boone
river.
Now, the fine suburban town of
"Hoboken,' with its pleasant sur
roundings, including this Eden-like
park, stands over against an impos-
ing city with it's magnificent court
house; it's many massive business
blocks: its palatial residences: its
pleasant homes: its commodious
schoolhouse; it's steepled churches
it's miles of excellent streets and
sidewalks; and it's three railroads
and depots; all empowered in Area
dian groves of surprising loneliness
l have already spoken of this parl
as Eden-like. What are the point:
of resemblance?
First. God planted garden east
ward in Eden, and this park is east
ward in Webster City.
Second Out of the ground grow:
every tree that is pleasant to thu
sight; as in Eden.
| Third river went out from