be J.tetteirnoutb Journal
Semi-Weekly
Semi - Weekly
FOUR PAGES
FOUfl PAGES
VOLUME XX VIII
PLATTS3IOUTH. NEBRASKA. MONDAY, JULY , 1908
numjjkk 2s
i One of the Most Successful Gelebra
tions Ever Held in South
east Nebraska.
The Merchants' Parade One of the Great Fea
tures of the Day Address of Gov. Shel
don and Judge Oldham Another.
"The biggest and best," was what
everyone had to say when the last rocket
ascended Saturday night and closed the
Fourth of July celebration. From start
to finish the celebration was an unquali
fied success. Everyone was pleased be
yond expression and the thousands who
journeyed into the city to see if Platts
! nouth could really do all it had promised
n the way of celebrating the nation's
hiatal day, went away satisfied that
-Plattsmouth not only could, but did do
all it promised. That this was done,
was due to the great energy and push
displayed by all the committees having
the matter in charge, and particularly
to Henry A. Schneider, who toiled early
and late for the success ot the under
taking, and whose enthusiasm was con
tagious and infected all with whom he
came in contact. There were others
who did a marvelous amount of work,
but Mr. Schneider's efforts covered a
wider field and were productive of
greater results. The thanks of the
public can also be extended to Presi
dent Wescott, Secretary Hatt and
Messrs Egenberger, Gering, Morgan,
Bach, Sattler and others, while the pub
licity given the occasion through the
columns of the press aided in its suc
cess immeasurably.
! The crowd which attended the cele
bration is estimated at ten. thousand,
which, considering crop conditions and
the general labor conditions, is a more
than satisfactory attendance. And
they came from everywhere the farm,
the workshop and the business house
; alike contributed to throng the streets
. .Vith a good-natured, merry-making
;rowd, bent on having the time of their
Jives and having it. One of the largest
contributions to the crowd was that
brought in by the train from Louisville
f there being C25 tickets sold at that
i point for this city besides the passen
gers from Cedar Creek and Cullom.
lowing to the mismanagement of some
me at Louisville, no notice was given
".he railroad company of the size of the
::rowd expected and the result was that
Lio extra equipment was provided in the
rain, the result causing the coaches to
'.e crowded to the doors, the platforms
'lied and some seventeen being com
pelled to ride on the engine. Despite
his drawback they all came and went
.way happy and contented. Additional
Jjuipment was found for the special
ck wWch left as scheduled. The Mis
cAiri Pacific from Nebraska City
rought many visitors from that city
'nd a great number from Union and
tIurray. The trains from the east also
Jave us many Iowa visitors, while the
people literally poured in from the sur
hinding country.
Weather Excellent and Order Good.
The weather conditions throughout
ae day were excellent the morning
iwned bright and pleasant and the
?at of the afternoon was tempered by
ist enough clouds and breeze to keep
ie crowds in fine humor. The best of
der prevailed throughout the day, the
lice finding time heavy on their hands
id being able to participate in the
stivities. There were several locked
) who had imbibed too freely, but they
re of the harmless variety and were
-nply taken in for their own good,
jnsidering the size of the crowd the
,der was fine and speaks volumes for
e high class of people present.
,The program was pulled off promptly
I advertised, there being no fiascos to
ar the result of the splendid list of at
fcctions arranged by the committees,
Scepting the unavoidable cancelling of
e morning ball game the grounds not
X in condition to permit it be
jng played. Promptly at 8 :15 our own
tizens' Band started the day with its
fcrch up Main street, discoursing the
- ual high grade of band music and en
ising the crowd, which, even at that
time, was large. The postponing of the
ball game allowed the band to give an
extended concert on the street, which
was well received and highly pleasing
to the crowd. The delay of the Mis
souri Pacific train prevented the Ne
braska City band from arriving until
9:30 a. m., at which time the parade
was formed and commenced its line of
march. The free trapeze performance
upon Main street, between Fourth and
Fifth, came oil promptly at y:JU, ana
was a highly creditable performance.
It pleased the crowd and met liberal ap
plause. The Grand Parade.
The parade which was to move at 10
o'clock was delayed a little in starting,
owing to the great number of floats en
tered, they numbering forty-eight in all,
a most magnificent showing for the
business men of the city and speaking
volumes for their enterprise. Every
float in line was a great advertisement,
many of them representing a large ex
penditure of time and money and being
strong competitors for the prize offered
by the committee for the best float.
The line of march was down Vine street
to Third, from Vine to Pearl on Third,
down Pearl to Second, from Pearl to
Main on Second, up Main from Second
to Seventh, thence to Sixth on Vine and
thence to Garfield Park. The parade
was headed by Marshal Joe Fitzgerald
with Quartis Parmele as an aid Henry
Schneider being Marshal of the day.
Headed by the Nebraska City band, a
fine appearing body of men and good
musicians, the parade moved down Vine
at 10:15. Following the band came the
carriage containing the speaker of the
morning, Hon. W. D. Oldham, with
Judge H. D. Travis, Geo. Oldham and
County Judge Beeson, as the other oc
cupants. Then followed the floats.
Ptak & Bajeck came first with their
cigarmaking industry, a good repre
sentation of the industry. Then came
the Woodmen team, making a fine show
ing as representatives of their order.
The team was generously applauded.
B. A. McElwain's entry came next, be
ing the handsomest and most artistic
rig in the parade. It consisted of the
horse and buggy of Ralph White, with
himself driving and occupied by Miss
Ruth Johnson, strikingly handsome as
the Goddess of Liberty. The decora
tions of the rig were neat and highly
effective and judged by the applause
which greeted it, it was a popular num
ber. The Plattsmouth Telephone Com
pany followed with a fine float, repre
senting the telephone industry, after
which came Dr. Barnes with his vetri
nary profession. The Peerless, Ed Do
nat, had a float representing the pro
duct of John Gund, which caused much
laughter; this being followed by the
float of Robert Sherwood & Son, one of
the best in line and one which was
highly commented upon as displaying
much activity and expense in its pre
paration. J. D. Thompson with his ex
press and mail carrying business was
in line next, after which the business of
J. P. Falter had its inning. Then came
the float of the Eagles lodge, another
calling forth well merited applause and
one of the tastiest and best decorated
in the parade. F. G. Egenberger, with
his bottling works, came next and had
also a highiy creditable float, eetting
his share of applause for his enterprise.
The Gas and Lighting Company adver
tised "Cook with Gas" in a neat and at
tractive float, while Nemetz & Co. had
a fine float representing Fairy Ice Cream
and their kindred products, being also
an applause getter. Perhaps the great
est favorite in line was Wescott's dis
play, this being on account of their en
terprise and courage in entering after
the extreme misfortune which had be
fallen them. The advertised "We Are
On the Water Wagon Now," and every
nn
Kl
one whooped it up good and plenty for
t iem. Another flood victim who showed
great pluck and enterprise was John
Bauer and his display was more than
creditable. The Young Men's Bible
Class was something out of the ordinary
for a display and took well. One of the
best floats in the parade was J. E. Mc
Daniels', he evidently having spared no
expense to make a fitting showing.
This float had a large revolving bottle
upon it, which elicited much attention
for its mechanical effect. Henry C. Mc
Maken was one of the star entries in the
parade, exhibiting his many lines of
business with a separate float for each
line, having a total of eight wagons in
the parade. His exhibit of the ancient
and modern methods of mixing concrete
was interesting and timely. He also
advertised his ice, sand, oil and other
industries appropriately. One of the
spectacular floats and one displaying
great care in preparation was E. G.
Dovey & Son, who had the "Gold Dust
Twins" as an exhibition. This float re
ceived great applause. F. C. Benfer
had Blatz beer and Sunny Brook whis
key well advertised and was f ollowed by
one of the best floats in that of Jesse
Perry, who had his barber shop in active
operation on the float. This unique float
was also a favorite. J. V. Egenberger,
the coal and feed man, was there with ar
good float representing his line of busi
niss, while Kroehler's hardware store
came next with a fine display and one
with much expense attached to its pre
paration. This was among those strik
ing a popular chord. The Turner society
had a class of turners on a float with
much athletic apparatus and received
generous applause.
The second section of the parade was
headed by the Citizens' Band, after
which M. Fanger showed the crowd how
he came to Plattsmouth, and in the sec
ond float how his business had grown.
He, too, caught the popular fancy and
wa3 liberally applauded. Peter Goos
advertised the "Beer That Made Mil
waukee Famous" with a good float,
followed by H. M. Soennichsen's float
showing his several lines of business.
Next came V. T. Kuncl, who had an
unique representation of the bakery in
full operation, being an excellent float.
The Plattsmouth Steam Laundry put up
two shirts labeled "Before and After,"
which evoked great laughter. Lorenz
Bros, advertised "Kamo" tea and had
a fine float, making an excellent impres
sion. Aug. Bach followed with "Advo"
coffee; also, having an impressive ad
vertising float and catching the crowd.
A troop of Redmen came next, being
realistic in their paint and feathers, and
getting much applause. John W. Cra
bill, the jeweler, had one of the finest
floats in the procession and displayed
much care and expense in making it up.
He was liberally applauded. Zuck
weiler & Lutz had also one of the finest
displays in the parade and got well
merited applause. This firm had one of
the best floats in the parade and was a
strong competitor for the prize. W. L.
Street advertised his sewing machine
business and was followed by one of the
most unique floats in the parade, that of
Hatt & Son. Thia consisted of a high
hat mounted upon a pole with a repre
sentation of a rising sun just below it.
This float got much applause. John S.
Hall had another strong bidder for the
prize in a very handsome float advertis
ing hi3 several lines of business. Wil
son's float followed and the W. C. T. U.
were in line with an appeal to people to
be temperate. Asemissen & Sons had
a fine float representing their hardware
business, having ' put much time and
money into its preparation. This float
was also a strong competitor for the
prize. Another very fine float followed
in that of E. A. Wurl, the enterprising
Sixth street merchant. By many this
float was considered the best in the
parade. As has been said Wescott's
float had the crowd and the end of the
parade was brought up by Jos. Fetzer's
elephant, under the management of
Henry Goos. The elephant received a
big share of applause. Taken all around
the parade is considered the best ever
given in Cass county and would have
been a credit to acity many times the
size of Plattsmouth. Much of the credit
for its success and especially for its ex
tent is due to Henry Schneider's per
sistent pushing of the matter, he camp
ing with any recalcitrant until he came
into line and joined the procession.
The judges awarded the prize for the
best display to B. A. McElwain, but
there were so many others in the race,
and each of them had so good a display
that the choice was only made after
long deliberation and much hesitancy.
Exercises at Garfield Park.
After the parade, the crowd adjourned
to Garfield Park where the exercises
were held. At the park the exercises
wei e presided over by Hon. H. D. Travis
and were opened by a selection by the
Nebraska City band which was well
rendered and well received. The United
Singers of Plattsmouth, under the di
rection of Mr.H. S. Austin then gave a
chorus which was splendidly executed
and was a tribute to the care taken in
training them. Judge Beeson then read
that grandest of masterpieces, the
Declaration of Independence, the words
of which are as pregnant with meaning
tonay as they were 132 years ago, and
which thrill the audience now as then.
A bass solo by Mr. H. S. Austin com
prised one of the best numbers on an
exceptional program and was greeted
with hearty applause, a splendid tribute
to his ability.
Hon. H. D. Travis then introduced
the speaker of the morning, Hon. W.
D. Oldham, of Kearney. Judge Travis
being a long time acquaintance of Judge
Oldham, was at home in introducing the
speaker, and did so in his happiest vein,
knowing that he was introducing one of
Nebraska's real orators. And after
the audience had heard Judge Oldham
they understood that anything Judge
Travis had said was too mild, as it is
universally conceded Judge Oldham's
address was one of the finest addresses
ever delivered in this city. The address
was practically a thesis on popular
government and the formation and
development of our constr'tutior. and
government. Besides being a profound
and scholarly dissertation, the address
was a masterpiece of word-painting and
eloquence. Faultlessly delivered, the
speaker's words rang out through the
park as a clarion note of tribute to the
grea genius of the fathers of the republic
His tracing of the growth of popular
government in Rome, Greece and the
republics of old, the rise of the truly
American idea in the constitution and
the great need of watchfullness in this
present day that our liberties shall re
main as they were given, aroused a
hearty and responsive amen from his
audience. At its close there was only
one verdict to be rendered by all who
heard him and that was that Willis D.
Oldham was one of Nebraska's greatest
orators and scholars. It can be truly
said that his speech was the greatest
oration ever delivered in this city and
today he numbers more admirers here
than he could ever have dreamed of
having. Too much can not be said in
praise of his masterful address.
After music by the Citizens band, the
audience at the park adjourned for din
ner, satisfied that the morning portion
of the program had been a thorough
success.
The Afternoon Program
The afternoon program was divided
into two portions, the one being at
Garfield Park, while the other took
place upon Main and Sixth streets.
The crowd which had been large in the
morning became much greater after
noon and the streets were congested
early with a great throng of sight
seers and pleasure seekers.
At Garfield Park the afternoon pro
gram opened with a baby show under
the direction of Mrs. Geo. Dovey. It
was intended to hold the show in the
band stand at first and announcement
to this effect was made by Chas.
Grimes, who hastily rescinded the plan
after a deluge of fond mothers with
various sized babes had descended upon
the judges, Mrs. A. E. Gass, Mrs. H.
S. Austin and Miss Ethel Dovey. They
were unable to move out in the throng
and the contest was adjourned to the
lawn, Mr. Grimes announcing that
race suicide was not a question of
doubt in Cass county and the band
stand being too small for the number of
babies present. The judges waded
through some twenty-eight entries nar
rowing the contest down until finally
they decided upon No. 20 who turned
out to be Merna, the two-year-old
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wolff
of Cedar Creek. After making the de
cision, the judges discreetly fled.
After the baby show came the free
trapeze performance by little Miss
Johnson which . pleased the audience
immensely. The Nebraska City, band
then gave a selection after which
Prof. Austin's United Singers gave
another especially pleasing number. To
entertain the crowd pending the arrival
of Gov. George L. Sheldon who was to
be the orator of the afternoon, the Ne
braska City band gave a number of
selections which ' were well received
and which secured quite liberal applause.
Gov. Sheldon, who spoke at Weeping
Water in the morning, was delayed in
arriving and did not get to the grounds
until abont 3 o'clock. He was brought
j over from Weeping Water by Mr. H.-
G. Wellenseik of Avoca in his auto
mobile, the run being made in the best
time the roads would permit.
Afternoon Exercises
Hon. Jessie L. Root presided at the
afternoon - exercises, aud when Gov.
Sheldon arrived, he introduced him in a
brief speech, an introduction being
among the almost unnecessary matters
as the-governor was in the midst of old
friends and neighbors.
Gov. Sheldon's address was along a
different line from that of Judge Old
ham in the morning. It was more of a
friendly talk of one neighbor to another
and created, a most excellent impression.
His tribute to old Cass county was re
ceived with much enthusiasm and his
address as a whole, was a very popular
one. He interspersed his address with
many stories which illustrated the points
he desired to make clear to his audience
and evoked much applause and laughter.
At the close of his address he was the
center of an impromptu reception, old
friends gathering, about him and keep
ing him busy wringing their hands and
listening to their congratulations.
Immediately following the address of
the governor, there was more music by
a quartette under the direction of Mr.
H. S. Austin which was a treat, and
was listened to by an enthusastic
audience, after which the Nebraska
City band again gave selections, a free
trapeze performance following.
At this point the fire whistle from the
shops blew and the crowd immediately
thinned out. rushing for Main street.
Despite this drawback the contests
scheduled for the park were pulled off,
the first being a ladies' nail driving
contest, the judges of which were J.
M. Leyda, B. Chrisweiser and Frank
Neumann. Mrs. J. L. Thompson was
the winner, driving the specified two
nails in record-breaking time. There
were more entries for this event than
could be provided with hammers, but
the winner was easily the best in the
bunch. The boys' foot race was won
by Hoyt White, there being five entries.
The judges of this race were George
Lehnoff, C. C. Despain and Pat Egan.
The sack race furnished much fun and
was won by Frank Hiber. The judges
of this race were W. T. Ritchardson,
A. A. Wetenkamp and Jos. C. Peters.
The pie-eating contest raised howls of
laughter, the entries literally smearing
themselves with pie in an effort to finish
first. Wm. Keil won. In this contest
the hands of the contestants were tied
behind them and they were compelled
to eat the pie without using their hands.
The contest for the party coming the
greatest distance caused a lot of trouble
because two of the entries came from
almost equal distance, George Schantz
coming from Jennings, La., and Miss
Alice York coming from Idaho Falls,
Idaho. The official table of distances
was called into use to solve the puzzle;
Miss York winning.
The girls race went to Luella White
who outfooted her compettiors with ease.
The hoop race went to a boy by the
name of Fox, he being easily the most
prolific hoop roller of the entries.
The boy who won the egg race
got away without the judges being able
to get his name.
Music by the Nebraska City band
brought a most entertaininsr program
to a successful close at the park, the
crowd adjourning for supper with a
whoop and hurrah.
Program on Main Street
The Main street program open at one
o'clock with a wrestling match on the
court house lawn between J. J. Holden,
the cop wrestler of Omaha, and Claud
McGrew, one of has pupils and also of
Omaha. Mr. Holden is the physical
director of the Keystone Athletic Club,
and is a wrestler of no mean ability.
McGrew put up a game match however,
and has the makings of an expert in him.
The match was one for blood, it being
manifested that there was no faking in
it. Holden had to roll McGrew about
for twelve minues before he could secure
his first fall, the bout being provocative
of wild applause. Holden took the
second fall of the match in nine minutes
again rousing the audience to wild en
thtsiasm. Perhaps the greatest crowd
at any of the events was gathered to
witness this match and all were more
than pleased. The committee securing
this attraction had certainly a drawing
card of no mean powers. It was altogeth
er a satisfactory exhibition and one that
created much favorable comment.
Nels Renner took the prize in the
barrel race, putting his competitors in
the shade with ease, while the three
legged race went to .Billings and An
drews who were very proficient in this
style of racing. The wheelbarrow race
was carried off by Ray Patton in hollow
style, he running away from his oppon
ents. The potato race resulted in a tie
between Patton and Renner who divided
the purse. The greased pig contest
brought out the usual funny events of
such racesand the slippery porker finally
was caught by John Jones.
Democrats Out-Pull the Republicans.
Judge Sullivan's celebrated Tug-of-War
resulted in his downfall, the demo
crats being too much for their opponent
the republicans, and winning out. At
the start the republicans got the mom
entary advantage by two of the demo
crats slipping and being dragged across
the line but the republicans could not
hold their advantage and Capt. Vic. An
derson of the democrats rallied his forces
and dragged them back. The republi
cans struggled manfully but without
avail and when the time limit of two
minutes was up the democrats had them
hard and fast.
One of the features of the afternoon
performance was the slide for life, a
wire being stretched from the top
window of the court house to a tele
phone pole at the corner of Fourth and
Main streets, down which it was re
ported a man would slide by his feet.
This caused great excitement and avast
crowd gathered about. When the"man"
appeared however, it turned out to be
a stuffed figure which failed to work,
and hung flapping about in the wind un
til Johnnie Hatt cut the wire and let it
down. The crowd enjoyed the joke
hugely.
This closed the afternoon program on
Miin street, and the crowd pronounced
itself more than satisfied.
At the ball park quite a crowd as
sembled to witness the game between
the Royal Achates, of Omaha, and the
Red Sox, and they were well repaid,
for it was one of the snappiest games
of the season, being anybody's game
until the last mr.n was out. The Acha
tes won the game on an error made by
the home team in the sixth inning
which let three of the visitors cross the
home plate, the score being 3 to 0.
Hulfish, of Wabash, pitched for Platts
mouth, and he pitched a fine game,
holding the Achates down to two safe
hits. Had his support been what should
have been, the result would likely have
been different. As it was, everyone
was gratified that they had been per
mitted to see so good a game.
After Supper.
Despite the badly torn up condition
of the streets, the parade moved over
them with celerity and ease, and proved
an agreeable surprise to the public.
Now for plans for a stock show this
fall. Cass county has the horses and
cattle and our merchants can organize
and hold a stock show that will be a
hummer. Keep the ball rolling.
MayorGering's activities as a general
all around hustler aided largely in mak
ing the big show a success. Such men
as he, Pres. Wescott, Secy. Hatt, Henry
Schneider, A. L. Tidd, D. C. Morgan,
F. G. Egenberger, J. P. Falter, Will
Ramsey, John Nemetz, John Sattler in
sure a successful celebration of any
kind.
The dance at Coates' Hall closed a
program which for length and variety
is probably without an equal in the
state. The dance was largly attended
and passed off very pleasantly, every
one enjoying the cool evening immens
ly. It was a late hour when the assem
blage broke up, everyone tired but hap
p, and voting Plattsmouth and its en
ergetic citizens the best hustlers out.
It is generally the opinion that this is
but the start of what is to be a regular
series of entertainments for our friends
abroad, and it is the belief that all in
the future will be as successful as the
last one, "The Biggest and the Best,"
Fourth of July in Plattsmouth 's history
Firecrackers
The only thing which occurred to mar
the pleasantness of the occasion was
the unfortunate fire at Weidman's store
which put a temporary stop to the pro
grams both at tne park and on Main
street. The fire which started in some
unknown manner caused a mild panic,
and was decidedly thrilling. It started
in an explosion of a can of gasoline used
in the peanut roaster and in less time
than it takes to tell it the fireworks
were ignited and the air was full of
roman candles, rockets and other fire
works. There were a number of the
peopla in the store at the time but all
escaped .without serious injury, the
most serious being Henry Weidman
who was severely cut in the groin and
his brother George, who receieved a
severe blow on the head presumably
from a rocket. Neither are danger
ously hurt, however, and are at their
work as usually today. The store was
completely wrecked, the front being
blown into the street and the stock
damaged by fire and water. It is
thought however, that the loss will be
covered by the insurance. Despite the
suddenness of the fire the fire department
made a quick run and did fast work con
fining the flames to the store and sub
duing them without much trouble. As
soon as possible the loss will be adjust
ed and the store reopened.
