People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1896 — Rensslaer 4th July Celebration [ARTICLE]

Rensslaer 4th July Celebration

A blue sky,, soft breezes and strains of music floating through the air, helped to render the 4th of July celebration, which was held in the shady grove south of Mt. Calvary cemetbry, an ideal one. The work of 'the several committees on arrangements had been done in a very thorough and praiseworthy manner; the opportunities for enjoyment were many and various and freely indulged in by the joyous throng. Rev. Bonaventure. in his splendid salutatory, described the grand chord of peace and harmony which swells the breasts of the American people on this glorious day and hushes the voice of religious, political and private dissensions. The audience then sang “My country, ’tis of thee” in chorus, and the band boys gove a spir ited rendition of patriotic and other choice selections. Mr. Frank Maloy’s address was »an excellent composition, treating eloquently on the significance of the 4th of July celebration; on our dearly bought but priceless boon of liberty, and our consequent duty to preserve and transmit it to posterity. Those who perhaps regretted the absence of Rev. M. Walz, who was to have been the orator of the day, but who was called to New York for urgent reasons, thus, at least the local papers stated, were most agreeably surprised, for Rev. B. Boedner more than amply met the emergency and delighted every one by his patriotic -utterances, noticeably coming from an intensely patriotic heart. The world-wide significance of the event, with which no other country’s day of jubilee can compare, and the noble and divine virtue of patriotism were themes eloquently dwelt upon by the Rev. orator. His happy allusion to the patriotism of Christ and St. Paul showed that the patriotism of a Christian should ever excel that of the Greeks and Romans. In the between Mrs. A. Leurs and Mrs. K. Ow r ens, Mrs. Leurs received the greatest number of votes and was awarded the prize. The dancing bear and elephant was a unique feature of the program contributing no little to swell the mirth of the crowd.

Miss Rose Beck read a bright little paper, “The Review,” edited* by herself and other members of the Stanislas liter ary society. Besides being replete with wit and humor, the paper contained some well writ ten essays on topics relating more or less to the glorious fourth. The fondness of the people of Rensselaer for the merry-go-’round was again manifested at this picnic. Between the different parts of the program the band boys kept up the enthusiasm by playing a favorite composition or singing some national song with their usual ardor which was w&il seconded by the people. Various races and other pastimes were also not wanting. Despite the fact that there were no fire works at night, every one who attended the celebration went home with the satisfaction of naving spent the hundred and twentieth anniversary of the declaration of independence in a most enjoyable manner. Following were the committees: < Ice cream stand —Rose Beck, Tom Calahan, P. Hoerdeman, Maggie Warden, Wm. Beck, Cinda Mecklenberg, Anna Moosmiller. Lemonade stand—C onr a d Kellner, Wm. Walters. James, E. Walters, Annie Meyer, Rose Thompson, Mary Ramp, Emma Lear. Popcorn stand—George Borntraeger, Mary Meyer. Barney Mainbrook. Mary Beck. May Callahan, Stella Owens. Committee on amusements — E. P. Honan, Wm. Donnelly, Charles Meclenburg, Ralph Donnelly, Francis Meyer, John Eig6lsbach. Lunch counter —Lizzie Eigclsbach, Etta Donnelly, Maggie Walters. Lizzie Borntraeger. Amsy Mainbrook. Committee on boquets Julia Kreasney, Anna Walters, Lucy Donnelly, Anna Luers, Josephine Schindler. Hackline —Joseph Luers, Joseph Borntraeger.