Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1902 — Fourth of July in Midwinter. [ARTICLE]

Fourth of July in Midwinter.

Mesdames E. C. English, J. F. Hardman, A. F. Long and C. G. Spitler expressed their defiance of the groundhog, and their disapprobation of the respect that is now being paid him, by holding a Fourth of July party, last Saturday afternoon, right in the midst of the groundhog winter. It took place at the residence of the lady first named, on south Cullen street. The guests, some 20 in number, were attired in summer costumes, as befits the Fourth of July season, and the house decorations were in the same line, including flags, bunting, Japanese lanterns etc. The guests brought picnic dinners, which were also of the same season, and lemonade was red in the glass. The ladies did not forget to bring their gorgeous summer parasols to ward off the fervent July sun, and tjie more cautious ones also brought umbrellas, in case of a possible summer shower. Among the guests was a Fourth of July bride, in full costume and of course she received the distinguished attention to be expected in such oases. At 5:30 a genuine suprise was sprung on the entire party, by the appearance of the husbands of the hostesses and all the other guests- Of course they were made very welcome, at least by themselves, and what they did to the picnic dinners and the red lemonade was a plenty.