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1905: The Fourth of July celebration continues

Lead Summary
By
Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical Society

The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on July 7, 1905.
Was a Grand Success
Such Was Luverne’s Celebration of the Glorious Fourth
6000 People Were in Attendance
Notwithstanding Preceding Unfavorable Weather Conditions, Luverne Observes Our Nation’s Birthday With a Notable Successful Celebration—Occasion Graced by Presence of Governor John A. Johnson Who Delivers Inspiring Address—Splendid Program Carried Out to the Satisfaction of All
This article is continued from last week.
Large Crowd in Attendance
Expectations of a large crowd were not very bright even with the dawn of a beautiful day. The heavy rains had washed out many culverts in every direction and had made the roads seemingly impassable. Doubtless the belief was generally entertained that the celebration would be abandoned. But the patriotism of our people—the spirit which makes July the Fourth the grandest and most glorious day of the year in any country in the world—was equal to the occasion. It was our Nation’s birthday and that nothing short of a deluge on the day itself would keep the people from celebrating it was well apparent by noon. At 8 o’clock in the morning the Bonnie Doon train brought five coaches packed with citizens from Doon, Rock Rapids and Ashcreek; other trains added their quota in generous measure, while from every roadway carriages brought hundreds of people from the surrounding country, many of them driving miles out of the regular road to avoid washouts, until at noon it was estimated that there were fully six thousand people present.
Greeting to Gov. Johnson
Gov. Johnson A. Johnson arrived from St. Paul at 5 o’clock in the morning and was escorted to The Manitou where he made his headquarters during his stay. Luverne greeted him in gala attire, for on the day previous the people of Luverne had made up their minds to celebrate in spite of the rain and between downpours during the afternoon had put up the elaborate decorations planned, which being of “fast” colors did not lose their beauty by the drenching received. Private decorations by the business men and others were added at an early hour and by 9:30 not only Main street but many residences were gaily bedecked in the holiday attire of bunting and flags.
The Parade
The program of exercises for the day was opened by the parade which formed at the corner of Main street and Freeman avenue. This feature was the only one of the many arranged by the committee which suffered seriously by the rain. The muddy streets made it impossible for many to participate who had planned to do so, and accordingly the parade was robbed of many of its best features. The parade was headed by the South Dakota Fourth Regiment band followed by the carriage containing Gov. Johnson, carriages containing the city officers, the ladies who participated in the musical program at the patriotic exercises, the callithumpians, headed by the callithumpian band, and a long line of citizens in carriages. The course of the parade was from Freeman avenue down Main street to Spring street, thence north to Lincoln street, thence west to McKenzie street, thence south to Main street where it continued to the starting point, thence north two blocks to Luverne street grounds where the patriotic exercises were held.
Callithumpian Prize Winners
The callithumpian feature of the parade was excellent and entitles the participants to much credit for the originality and successful execution of their ideas. Nine prizes were awarded as follows: First prize, $10, to a group of Pickaninnies dancing on a platform erected on a wagon; second prize $7, to the Callithumpian (Luverne) band; third prize, $5, to Fred Crawford and Ed. Thompson, Pygmy Hose Co., fourth prize, $2.50, to A. E. Wyse, poultry merchant; fifth prize, $1, to Frank Fritz, dressed as a giant; sixth prize, $1, to Corse Horne and Barton Chapin; the seventh, eighth and ninth prizes of $1 each were awarded to the following outfits, the owners of which are unknown: Foreigner with carpet bag, two with white horse and grass in cart, and Zouave.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

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