Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-07-05
CITY in SOLEMN
OBSERVANCE OF
JULY FOURTH
Flagraising Exercises and
Church Services Feature
Celebration

Impressive fiagraising ceremo-
nies, patriotic church services, band
concerts and many athletic events
in the city and nearby parks featur-
ed the Independence Day observ-
ance in Harrisburg this year.
An unusual quietness in compari-
son with the Fourth of July celebra-
tlons OF other years showed that the
seriousness of the present situation
with the country at war, is felt by
everyone. Here and there the firing
OF blank cartridges and other fire.
works and the ringing of bells and
sounding of whistles at midnight to
usher in the Fourth, were the only
demonstrations.
That 1t was a national holiday, to
observe some great and memorable
occasion which has a deeper sgni-
flcance now than ever before, stood
out clearly in all the happenings of
the day.
Thousands OF picnickers spent the
day at amusement parks near the
city, crowding trolley cars and trains
to those places. Hundreds of others
| enjoyed auto trips, many more went
on fishing trips or outings in the
mountains, while others spent the
day boating or canoeing on the
river.
Many Attend Services
Early morning services of prayer
in the churches were we'll attended.
Short addresses were made calling
attention to the seriousness of the
present situation and urging loyalty
to country and flag. National hymns
were sung as part of the patriotic
program.
A large congregation attended the
union service at Z O'Clock in Mar
ket Square Presbyterian Church,
where the Rev. DIR. Lewis S. Nudge,
of Pine Street Presbyterian Church,
was in charge of the services. The
Rev. DR.. Ellis n. Kremer, of Re-
formed Salem Church. read the
Scripture and offered prayer. The
patriotic addresses were given by
the Rev. DR.. Robert Bagnell, of
Grace Methodist Church, and the
Rev. S. w. Herman, of Zion Lutheran
Church. morning prayer service
was held also in Messiah Lutheran
Church by the Rev. H. w. A. Han
son, a large congregation attending.
Flag Over Courthouse
The only official demonstration in
the city was a flagraising at. the
courthouse. Thousands crowded into
| Nldl hSl SlIGtl " SSI d = SlilllpSS Vi
the raising of the STARS and Stripes
| by Judge S. ]. NJ. McCarrell, during
the exercises, which had been ar
ranged. laundering applause for the
speakers, the band numbers and the
| raising of the flag featured the pa
! triotic display.
Captain Henry NJ. Slime, of the
| Eighth regiment, was in charge, and
| Thomas Lynch Montgomery, State
| Librarian, made the introductions.
| Speakers were Senator Z. E.. Beidle-
man and the Rev. DR.. Bagnell, of
Grace Methodist Church. Both at
tackled disloyalty and urged every
one to devote every effort to bring
the war to an end, and establish
world democracy. The Rev. DR..
Nudge. of Pine Street Church, open
ed the ceremonies. and gave the
benediction.
The other fiagraising was at
Maennerchor hall, where another
large crowd gathered. Addresses
were made by II. B. Saussaman and
b. NJ. Mead. Music was furnished by
the Maennerchor singers. assisted by
twenty-five boys from st. Stephen s
Episcopal Church choir, under the
direction of Prof. Alfred c. Kuschwa
Many residents of the city attend
ed and participated in baseball
games, patriotic shoots, golf tour
neys and other athletic events were
held during the day, some of the
proceeds will be turned over to the
Red Cross. Large crowds attended
the band concerts at Reservoir Park
in the afternoon and evening, also.