Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1906 — THE 4th OF JOLY. [ARTICLE]

THE 4th OF JOLY.

Let’s Celebrate Natal Day In Rensselaer. MOST CENTRAL POINT IN COUNTY, And a Big Crowd Would Be Assured. —Talk the Matter Up and See What Can Be Done. Let Rensselaer forego the pleasure (?)of a street carnival thisyear and hold a rousing good free Fourth of July celebration, one in which every man who contributes a dollar to the celebration will not expect a hundred dollars back, and that the funds will be expended judiciously and without grafting.

It has been several years since Rensselaer has had a celebration on July 4th, and we hope that our people will take the matter up and have something that will amuse and interest the people and keep the money at home that usually goes to outside towns because there is “nothing doing at home.” It is not necessary to import acrobats or demimonde from Chicago nor spend the funds for prize fights or other questionable “amusements.” Have two or three good bands of music, militia and fire drills and maneuvers, innocent sports and races, a good display of fireworks at night—not simply a dozen 2-for-a-nickle roman candles —and, if thought necessary and the expenseis not too great, something in the line of an air ship. For a little out of the ordinary in the way of a noise producer the Iroquois ditch rock contractor might be prevailed upon to shoot off a few blasts on that day of several hundred pounds of dynamite. This in itself would be quite an attraction and would be devoid of danger, as an iron screen or netting is used to keep the rock from flying. Then a free base ball ball game could be put on the programme for one of the afternoon’s attractions. Give the country people something of an entertaining and moral nature and plenty of it—not get them here with fake promises simply to bleed them of their money. Such a celebration will bring thousands of people here and be of more real benefit to the business men and to the city than a score of hootchie-cootcliie carnivals. The Democrat will head a subscription to raise funds for a good free celebration here July 4th with SIO.OO cash. How many others will come forward with like and larger amounts during the next week?