Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-07-06
HILARIOUS CROWD
CAPTURES CITY
Thirty Thousand Celebra-
tors Make Merry on
The Fourth
ENTIRE PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL
Don McGee Makes Five Beauti.
full Flights From Riding
Club Grounds

A wave of patriotism, never before
egualed on any similar occasion
swept over this city last Tuesday
when 10000 celebrators thronged the
streets in one of the biggest Fourth
of July demonstrations ever carried
on in this part of the state. By train,
by auto, by the old horse and carriage,
on foot they came forging their
way into the city from every direction.
Monday night the streets were so
crowded with the next days JOY max
ers that traffic on certain streets in
the center of the city was stopped by
the police in order to avoid accidents
that surely would have occurred. 1t
was the largest crowd that has ever
gathered to celebrate Independence
Day in the county.
With doubtful minds celebrators
retired Monday night. While the
weather man had promised "fair and
warmer" for the Fourth he has been
caught in so many questionable state
ments regarding the weather this
summer that one can hardly believe
even an official announcement. But
bright and early Tuesday morning
ther was a radiancy along the east
ern horizon that brought a cheer of
gladness. Old Sol came rolling up
smiling and with the usual number of
young scamps. who annually disturb
the peaceful slumbers of the more
fastidious, ushered in one of the most
complete celebrations Of the nations
most patriotic days in the history Of
the city.
II was the hottest day yet of the
simmer. The sun beat down on the
mass of pedestrians in cruel fashion
and the heat waves rejecting back
from the pavement were almost suffo-
eating. AS early as eight in the
morning the celebrators began to feel
the pangs of thirst gripping them
and began to guzzle great quantities
of pink lemonade that could be Sc
cured from the innumerable refresh
ment stands. At noon the ther-
mometer was flirting in the shade
with 95, and didn't stop until it had
reached the SO mark, which made the
record for the day. From then on
the mercury began slowly to retreat
During the middle of the afternoon a
cool breeze came from somewhere out
of the atmosphere and was seized up
on by the half-baked crowd in fren-
zied like fashion.
Precaution had been taken by the
committee in charge to keep as low
as possible the number of accidents
and loss of property that usually re-
suit from fireworks. To facilitate this
Superior street was closed TO all traf-
fic from Gratiot avenue TO Hastings
street and given over TO the crowd,
who swarmed over this improvised
plaza at will without thought Of dang
er. The police force was increased
considerably, but reported very little
roudyism.
The program was complete in every
detail. There was not hitch in the
entire days festivities. Every at
traction that the committee had an
nounced made its appearance and in
some cases was superior to even the
expectations of the various chairmen.
The master of ceremonies DR.. May
nard Pringle deserves the greatest
part of the glory for the success Of
the day. For weekssDr. Pringle has
devoted his time in planning for the
celebration. All day Tuesday he act
ed as chief marshal of the day and
saw that guests of the city were re-
ceived in a cordial manner and given
the most glorious experience in their
lives. On every hand could be heard
compliments for the efficient manner
in which the celebration was carried
on.
The festivities opened Monday night
with an excellent band concert on the
street by the Detroit Salvation Army
band. The band gave a sacred and /
patriotic concert which was received
with great applause by a large audi
ence. The big noise began early Tues
day morning Introductory concerts by |
thc> Merrill, Shepherd and ST Louis
bands which were followed by con-
tinuous program through the day Of \
acrobatic stunts, vaudeville acts, horse
racing, aero flights, ball games, clos
ing in the evening with beautiful 4
spectacular display Of pyrotechnics
over the Pine. There was actually so
much going on that the short space
Df day hardly allowed the celebra-
tors to do jutice to il. However, the
program was well arranged and there \
we're sufficient repeats Of the various
attractions to give everybody the op-
to enjoy them.
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