Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1906 — ’TWAS A SUCCESS, [ARTICLE]

’TWAS A SUCCESS,

Although Rain Interfered with Part of Program. LARGEST CROWD IN RENSSELAER. “The Best Celebration Ever Heid In the County,*' Is the Gen* eral Expression. The “Glorious Fourth” has come and gone once more, and while there were celebrations and celebrations, the one held in Rensselaer will long be remembered as the best one eve/ held here, both in point of attendance and the attractions offered. The people began coming early in the morning fc.and kept coming all day. It is estimated that the milk train, the 9:55 and the 10:55 trains brought in over 2,500 people alone. Of this number over 500 were from Lowell, 200 from Fair Oaks and the rest from other towns along the Monon and the State Line branch of the Panhandle. The forenoon program went off nicely except that there was a little delay in the industrial parade in waiting for the train from the north that was bringing the Lowell band and the crowd from that direction. This train was an hour and forty minutes late, however, and the parade was finally pulled off without waiting for it. It was

a “bummer” and no mistake, and our business men who went to the trouble and expense of fixing up floats are to be congratulated on the success of their efforts. It was a most creditable display and was highly spoken of by the thou* sands of visitors who saw it. While the first half of the day the weather was ideal, in the afternoon, about two o’clock, rain set in and until after fcjur it came pattering down and jcaused the visitors to hunt places of shelter. AL ter the rain the streets were sloppy and the white dresses and skirts were drabbled and white oxfords muddied badly. But while the rain caused a hitch in the afternoon’s program it was very acceptable to the farmers and there was not much complaint. The ladies, of course, bewailed the soiling of their finery but, as Bro. Marshall would say, the non-farmers among the male visitors were rewarded by an extensive and variegated display of openwork hosiery such as Rensselaer never saw before and perhaps will not see agkin for many years. The park grounds were so wet that it was decided to pull off the sham battle in the court house yard, but the crowd was so dense and the space was so small for the participants that comparitively few could see it nor was it ns entertaining as if given in larger grounds. •The rain also interfered with the blowing up of the river bed, it being expected to shoot off these blasts during the afternoon, around the bend from the ball park, the time not being given on the program so the people would not get too close. The loading of the blasts of course was not to be done until about the time for shooting them. The ball game was finally played at the park, and resulted in a victory for Lowell by a score of 2 to 1. The game was witnessed by about 2,000 people. A large number of people stayed for the fireworks at night and the special train run north as far as Cedar Lake at 10 p. m. and then back to Lafayette was crowded to the steps. % The crowd here is variously estimated at 8,000 to 12.000, but we believe 9,000 to 10,000 is a conservative estimate. It certainly was the largest crowd ever in Rensselaer and every one seemed pretty well pleased with the entertainment provided, even though the rain did interfere with the afternoon program considerably.

NOTES. If there are any “kickers,” let’s hear from them. There were over 250 tickets sold at Monticello for Rensselaer. The eating bouses, restaurants and stands, livery barns, hitch barns, etc., were nearly swamped with business. The floats were all good in the parade but we have not space to

g : ve them individual mention, The Chicago Bargain. Store had its own band, composed of its clerks, and badfive wagons in line. The success of the celebration demonstrated the fact that booze, gambling, hootchie-oootchie, et cetra are not necessary adjuncts to occasions of this kind. Former residents of Rensselaer who read in the papers of the big celebration we were going to have came in on every train to “spend the Fourth” with relatives and friends, and the occasion was a great home-coming event. There were a number of people here from Benton county, and Kentland, Goodland, Wolcott, Chalmers, Brookston, Monon, Francesville, Medaryville, Morocco, Brook, Mt. Ayr and many other towns were largely represented. Quite a number drove more than 25 miles to reach here. The Democrat being the first to start the celebration and having contributed as much cash as any business firm in Rensselaer, as well as having done a large amount of work gratis, feels considerable satisfaction in the success of the day and hopes the town will not wait five or six years before repeating and bettering the effort made this year. Not an arrest was made and only a very few were seen under the influence of liquor. We never saw a better behaved crowd. No extra police were put on for the day nor were they needed. A “hop ale” stand was given notice early in the day not to sell another drop of the alleged “hop ale,” and as a result only softer drinks were thereafter disposed of at that stand. It was the intention of the committee to set down on the sale of any intoxicants, and except for a little that probably leaked out of the back doors of a saloon or two they were successful in keeping would-be boozers sober and the day free from broils of every kind. Neither were any gambling devices tolerated.

The day whs practically free from accidents. Don Warren, 14-year-old son of Marsh Warren, got a hole blowed through his hand by a blank cartridge revolver. A boy of the name of Speaks, in the northwest part of town, got a hand torn somewhat Monday by holding onto a big fire-cracker too long. A son of Joe Lewis of Barkley tp., was also a victim of the cannon cracker Tuesday evening, and one of his hands was quite badly torn. While viewing the parade, Mrs. M. Eger, the aged mother of W. H. and John Eger, fell on the sidewalk and her left arm was broken near the wrist. It is reported that a few women fainted in the jam at the depot in taking the trains at night, but so far as learned no one was seriously hurt.

The following is a summary of the smaller events: FOOT-BALL CHASE. Herman Long, Goodland. 100 YARD DASH. First—Mike Duffey, Fowler. Second —Fred Parcels. Third—A. A. Clark. FAT MANS'S RACE. First—Howard Myers, Brook. Second —John Bartholomew. Third —Ed Leach. boy’s race. First —Wilford McNay. Second—Albert Thornton. Third—Jim Rhoads. RACE AROUND SQUARE. First—W. Smaller. Second —Chas. Robinson. Third—O. L. Clark. POTATO RACE. First —Lane Livingston. Second—Herman Gipp. Third—Albert Thornton. OBSTACLE RACE. First—Tom Thornton. Second —Herman Gipp. Third—Albert Thornton.