Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 160, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1912 — MAMMOTH CROWD WAS HERE ON GLORIOUS ATH. [ARTICLE]

MAMMOTH CROWD WAS HERE ON GLORIOUS ATH.

Carnival Shows Failed to Put "In an Appearance Bnt Otherwise Celebration Was Great Success. The July 4th celebration here was a grand and dazzling success. Everything transpired wlthopt a hitch and the program was carried out on schedule time. Various estimates were made on the size of the crowd here, but the most conservative and plausible estimates put it at 6,000. Visitors streamed into the city from all parts of the country and every train was loaded with pleasure seekers from many neighboring cities and towns. Probably a large .portion of...the eelebratprs came by automobile and horse-drawn vehicles. About 150 or 175 came -from Lowell. The promise of ifrst-class shows was not fulfilled and only one show of the carnival company arrived. The manager-- of the carnival company came and to partly make amends for their failure to appear he offered to arrange for other shows to be here fhr the remainder of the week. These shoys were third class and not satisfactory to the inanagers of the celebration, who refused to consider the proposition. The one that did arrive, known as the “Gayety Girls,” was so low-doWn, filthy and immoral that sev- ' eral townspeople raised a protest. The -show attracted many patrons and had

given several performances before it became generally known how objectionable it was. Mayor Meyers, together with officers Mustard and Critser, visited the tent early in the afternoon and being convinced that their action was justified, they ordered the show stopped and virtually kicked the company and its rottenness out of town. The band boys, under whose direction the celebration was given, were not in any way responsible for this ugly feature as they were deceived as to its nature. They, as all other Rensselaer citizens, were in hearty accord with the action taken by the officials. The three free acts engaged by Manager Don Wright, of the Rensselaer hand, were all good and were greatly appreciated by the large crowd that witnessed them. * The automobile parade was the first event of thes day. Two prizes were given to the best decorated autos. C. P* Fate took Ist prize of $lO. Dr. Hanssoq took second, $5. The judges were Haberkorn, Lester and Flo and Wynn, all theatrical visitors. Although the machines were beautifully decorated, the parade*, as a whole, was a failure, only five or six autos entering the contest. There are hundreds of automobiles in Rensselaer and vicinity, most of which are of good make and put up a fine appearance. A lack of interest was in evidence in this event.

Had an organized effort been put forth and a fair per cent of the automobiles been entered, this parade could have been the greatest feature of the- day. This effort should have been made not only for the glory of taking a prize, but for upholding the civic pride as well. Ample compensation would have come, to those not winning prizes, in the knowledge that they were contributors to the success of the celebration. The failure of so many automobile owners to enter in the parade was a source of much regret to the great bulk of people and it is hoped that a more patriotic spirit and civic pride will make itself manifest at the next opportunity. The address of the day was given before dinner by Col. E. P. Hammond, of Lafayette. A great crowd, composed of many old veteran friends, gathered on the court house green and were greatly pleased with his able address. Mr. Hammond is 86 years of age and is growing somewhat feeble. ,-This will probably be the last address he will make In Rensselaer. The ball game between Lowell and Thayer was played at Riverside park, Lowell winning 7 to 2. The attendance was very good. O. A Lloyd, manager of the Lowell team, took, the matter in charge, levied admission at the gate, and took in $64. It was a very good game of ball and the first game Thayer has been beaten this year. One big surprise of the day came when the balloon ascension was made. After the balloon was inflated and the Aeronaut, shouted "everybody let loose,” the balloon made a great swoop skyward. As it hovered over the tree tops everybody recognized the aeronaut as none other than Ellis L. Thomas, the young son of Lprsh Thomas. This was Thomas’ first debut in aeronautics and the ascension he made was as pretty as any ever made from Rensselaer grounds. He did not cut loose with the parachute until the balloon had started oh its downward course, cv The Gayety and Princess airdopnes

and the Rex Theatre did a big business and the respective proprietors were well pleased with the patronage. The attraction at The Gayety was undoubtedly the greatest feature and the best drawing card of the day. To attraction alone was probably due the presence of a large part of the visitors. It drew a great number of highly desirable visitors who otherwise would never have come. Many came miles for the sole purpose of seeing this Show and It was really a bill worthy of the trouble. We are all willing to take our hats off to Mr. Reynolds. It was the belief of many that a good high class vaudeville show could not be put on here and be made to pay. This Mr. Reynolds very emphatically disproved. It was a success financially, as well as from an artistic standpoint. It is needless to say much about the show; every number was enthusiastically received. The roller skating exhibition of Reynolds and Donegan were remarkable in character and nothing so fine was ever seen in Rensselaer. Their turn is faqtastMJl and bewildering, and the grace and ease with which they execute the Merry Widow Waltz on roller skates is astonishing. The last great feature of the evening was the fireworks display, which lasted about forty-five minutes. They were set. off from the roof of the State Bank building and from the court house yard. There were a number of set piers and in all it was one of the best fire displays ever seen here. This was probably the most successful celebration ever given here. The Rensselaer band, assisted by the McCoysburg band, furnished excellent music throughout the day and evening and there was something doing all the time. Although the crowds were immense and the sun beat down unmercifully throughout the day, the great bulk took the temperate route for quenching their thirst. Bootlegging was not carried out to a noticeable degree, If there was any, and there were a very few evidences of “boozing." The visitors were "alive” and of good cheer, but the prevailing spirit throughout the day was orderly. Both V. Nawels, the restaurant man, and Chas. owns a hitch barn, state that yesterday was the biggest day they*ever had in their respective businesses. The following are the results of a few of the races and contests: ’ In the eight-mile motorcycle race Ray Cook, rtf Wolcott, Ist, Indian, in 14 minutes and 8 seconds; Ray Wilson, of Rensselaer, 2nd, Harley Davisson, time 14.40; Leon Eiglesbach, 3rd, Thor IV, time 15.40. Young mep’e race, 100 yards, Ist, Chas. Vincent; 2nd, Harry May; Time 11 4-5 seconds. “ Fat men’s race, Ist, Leroy Lewis; 2nd, George H. Healey.