Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1895 — The Fourth at Rensselaer. [ARTICLE]

The Fourth at Rensselaer.

The Crowd was Large but the Celebration Only “Middlin.” A very large crowd was present at the Fourth of July celebration in Rensselaer, last Thursday. So large, in fact, that the magnitude of the Entertainment hardly sized up to the dimensions of the crowd. In truth it must be admitted that taken all around, the celebration lacked considerable of being up to Rensselaer’s previous high standard. Unforeseen And un preventable circumstances were responsible for a part of this deficency; and lack of previous organization for a still larger part. The exercises at the speakers’ stand, in the forenoon, were all right. The principal feature was the address of Capt. R. B. Sears, of Indianapolis; and that it was one of the finest Fourth of July speeches ever heard' in Jasper county, was admitted by all. There were also several patriotic songs by the male quartette, and plenty of music by the Citizens Cornet Band. This band was well in evidence ail day, and gave many excellently executed selections, which were much appreciated. “Sheepskin” or Yeoman’s Martial band was also right on hand and added its foil share to the musical pleasures of the day. The bicycle parade, as compared with what it might have and should have been, was practically a failure; and of the seme 150 bicyclers in Rensselaer and immediate vicinity, not more than 30 took part in the parade.

The bicycle costume prizes were awarded as follows. Best gentleman’s costume,- Chas. Chipman. Best boy’s, Taylor McCoy; best girl’s Feme Starr. The array of clowns on foot was represented by. only one 10 year old toy, Cleve Eger, who •properly took the $5. The greased pole was successfully climbed by Jay Sayler; a chip of the old block uho wisely waited until the unsuccessful attempts of other “kids” had rubbed about all the grease off the pole. In the potato race, the potatoes were certainly few in the hill, and the contestants were young boys. Chas. Stone, son of “CHd Dick,” took first prize and Guy Peacock, second. The foot raps prize was won by a young man named Brindley, a late comer from Illinois, and the second by young Borem. The over 14 bicycle race was won by Chas Chipman first, Vermont Hawkins second and F. O’Meara third. The boy’s race, Auburn Nowels first, Jay Sayler second, and Taylor McCoy third. Owing to Washington street being nearly filled with building material at the Odd Fellows’ building, the entries in the bicycle races was limited to three.

An exhibition of trick bicycle riding was given by Louis Wilcox and Albert Overton. These young men are both crack-a-jacks on wheels, and their efforts were much appreciated. Especially when one rode around carrying the other on his shoulders. The display of fireworks in the evening was very fine indeed. Probably the largest and finest ever seen in the county. A novel feature in this line was a small display of day fire-works, in the afternoon. These consisted mainly of Chinese bombs, which are fired high in the air from a mortar, and then open out and drift away in the form of large and gaudily colored paper animals, birds, fish dec.

There was a big dance at the opera house, and a smaller one on a platform in the public square. It was an exceedingly good natured and well behaved crowd; and not a single case of drunkenness or brawling took place during the entire day. The complete absence of drunkenness was probably owing to the Nicholson bill, as in obedience to its provisions all the saloons had their front curtains and screens removed, so that their entire interiors were plainly visible from the streets.

The phenomenal success we have experienced in our dry goods department but bespeaks of careful selection, baying and selling for oash. A bargain for each and every one.

FENDIG'S FAIR.