Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-04
ALL ROCK ISLAND
CELEBRATESSANE
FOURTH OF JULY
Fine Municipal Program at
Long View Park Attracts
Hundreds of Local People.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS MANY
Scores Of Entertainments at Various
Places In Vicinity Provide
Amusement for Crowds

With a fine safe and sane" Fourth
Of July program at Long View park
this afternoon. conducted under the
auspices OF the municipal government.
and scores OF other attractions in the
various places of amusement in Rock
Island and vicinity. the people of this
city found many opportunities to cele-
brate the natal day OF this country.
The celebration at Long View park
was the big event Of Independence
day" in Rock Island and IL attracted
scores OF people, not only from within
the limits or he city. but from sur
rounding country as well.
Rock Island practically closed shop
and gave itself over To a day OF cele-
bration- Throughout the entire night
noise was king, and though many
remained awake late TO celebrate the
day even before Us advent. others
arose early 10 herald the rising sun
with the explosion OF the old doubled
barrel
Young Rock Island needed no call
ing by mother this morning. Long
before the parent had even gazed at
the timepiece the boys and girls were
about the yard shooting them on"
Program at Long View.
There was no set program for the
morning and the big event at Long
View park did not commence until =
o'clock. Rev. James Edgar Wilson.
new pastor of the Broadway Presbyte-
rian church. opened the exercises with
a prayer. The band rendered a selec-
ton and was followed by an address
by Devore SimOnsOn. which appears
in full elsewhere in tOday's Argus
Miss Marie Williams. a graduate OF
the high school, read the Declaration
OF Independence" which was signed |
by our forefathers 13s years ago to |
day. and which was the first decided |
step taken by Americans to form /
free and independent nation.
Following a selection by the band |
the daylight fireworks was displayed.
This feature proved great delight TO
ali OF the boys and girls and interest
ed the grown-ups as we'll.
Many Other Attractions
Aside from the municipal celebra-
ton the parks in the tri-cities attract
cd many. Street cars leading to pic
mic groves were crowded during the
morning.
The races az Exposition park prov
ed a drawing card for hundreds who
enjoy horses in action. while some
preferred the motor races at Daven-
port.
All of the parks made extra prepare
tons for handling huge crowds this
evening and new features were added
to the regular programs at these
places. The excursion steamers were
crowded with pleasure-seekers.
City Closes Shop.
With the exception OF the meat mar
kets which were open until IL o'clock
this morning, the stores in the city
were closed. The postoficc observed
the day. the general delivery windows
being open from 7 till 10 o'clock this
There was one delivery by
At the WATERFOWL state hospital a
big celebration was held Athletic
events. In which some excellent prizes
we're awarded. composed the greater
portion OF the program
Attorney G. &. Wenger Of this city
zave the principal address at the cele-
,-atfon held a. Robinson's grove. near
.,dgington. Some OF the smaller
owns Of the county had some ar
-nged celebration Of the day.
Southern Brings Crowd. :
The Rock Island Southern brought 7
hundreds OF people 20 the city. Tx b
.urslons were run all day long and Z
he special rate granted. was taken \
advantage OF by big crowds Of people I
rom Monmouth and other towns on ?
he fnterurban. Matherville is cele- q
,rating today. but Aledo and all the /,
,ther towns on the line abandoned u
programs. which accounts for the 7
arge number or people coming TO u
rock Island. In anticipation Of the T
ieavy traffic the Southern was com 4
,eIled TO borrow coaches from the
-ock Island and the Santa Fe rail-
Dads.