Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-05
STATE PARK MECCA
FOR VAST H0RDES Of
July 4 CEL.EBRANTS
TERURBAN CARS CROWDED TO
CAPAClTY-UTiCA HAS MON
STROUS Gel e. b RATION
THRONGS AT ST9ENTOR, GLEN
PARK AND SULPHUR LICK
SPRINGS.

While Ottawa had no Fourth of
July celebration, the nations Inde.
pendence nation was celebrated else.
where by people of the city. 1t was
estimated that nearly 10000 sight
seers were at Starved RoeK State
Park during the day -Four ferry
boats, piled the river, from early
morning until late at niPht, CARRYING
thousands upon thousands of pleas
ure'bent persons who were wont to
fni some sort of amusement, and
forget for time. that this nation was
engulied in war.
While vast majority of the crowd
came to the park via the c., O. e p..
many motored to the park. A little
over loco automobiles were counted
on The grounds just before twilight
Food Shortage.
Concessionaires at the park exp sri-
enced the biggest rush day in their
history In spite of the fac. that
they had anticipated land Office"
business, there was shortage of
food before the monstrous crowd was
cared for.
Family picnics were common YES.
terday Every available space on the
big lawn was used by the picnickers.
Cool weather for July Fourth help.
ed to make the day agreeable. The
Fact. that he dam broke In the swim.
ming pool disappointed many who in
tended to swim. a.
Brilliant Fireworks Display.
In the evening a brilliant fireworks
was shown on the river front, while
six thousand people. gazed on with
admiration at the thrilling spectacle
Cripple Traffic.
Taxed to their utmost capacity, in
terurban officials experienced the big
rest day in their history, as was pre-
d'cted, Tuesday evening by the Free
Trader-Journal Trailers were used in
every direction. but trolley breaks, on
points east and west of here caused
slight delays. Early yesterday morn
ing, a break in the trolley occurred
east Of Minooka, tying up traffic for
some time, Every car on the line was
pressed into service. and it was early
this morning before all pleasure seek
ers reached their destination.
AT the Starved Rock station special
guards were placed to hold back the
crowds that sought to board cars. 1t
was no question of women and chill.
dren first but more a survival of
the fittest, and, many times people
were forced to wait, unable to push
their way thru the jams that packed
the platform.
Other Towns.
Utica had the biggest celebration
in its history. The overflow crowd
from Starved RCck swarmed the
streets of the town from early morn
until late in the evening. Autos lined
the streets for blocks and at times
! the thorofares were so cOngestad
that il was difficult to move
In spite of the fact of the tremen-
dous crowds order prevailed thruout
the day The feature of the days
program was the big street parade
! The ball game was largely attend
ed and one of the best games ever
played, Mendoza winning by score
of 3 to 2.
The following is the result of the
| races;
Boys race--Clinton Gardner 1st,
81 Harry Ellis End, 81.
Fat mems race--Alie. Russell lst
81; Chas, Watts End, 81.
Bun eating contest--Bi.i Gilchrist
1st. 81; Joe Lamly End, soc.
Broad jump Art Johnson lst, SO;
VIM. Murtha End, so; II. Fowler 3rd
81.
Greasy pole-A. CAMEO 1st, $2 w
'FMcGunnegol End, $1.5O; Leonard
Brightman 3rd, ST. G. Reynolds 4th
SOC.
Foot race. Hercaster 1st, So; w
Murtha 2nd, 81.
Sack race-A. Binmen 1st, So; l.
Mehan End, 81
Pie eating Frances Bremen lst
u; Charles Diespino End Soc.
Wheelbarrow race-J. Eastman, ~
Milk ducking race--Chas Diespint
1st, $2 H. Handler End, 81
Potato race---Tom Neiber LIST, ".
Three.legged race-Neiber and Cast
/ man, 81.
Girls race Mary Jenkins.
Streator Has Crowd.
Streator was tthe Mecca for thous
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