HERITAGE VIGNETTES by Marilyn A. Bekker

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

The first community observance of Memorial Day was held in 1869. Memorial Day exercises included decorating of soldiers’ graves with solemn and impressive ceremonies. A procession, headed by a martial band, proceeded to the graveyard, under an arch wreath, while the pathway was strewn with flowers. The procession circled the graves and a prayer was said, followed by an anthem. During the singing, a wreath of flowers was placed at the grave of each soldier. The community of West Liberty also observed Memorial Day in 1869. A procession of 40 or 50 teams visited two cemeteries, the first having eight or ten soldier’s graves and the other, three graves.

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The 3rd of July, 1875, passed into history as one of the grandest celebrations Muscatine had ever known. A salute of 13 guns welcomed the day despite a rain which threatened to end the festivities before they began. By 9 o’clock, the clouds had dispersed and the celebration began. Extra coaches had been attached to the trains and more than 200 people arrived from Riverside, Lone Tree and Nichols. Parades, band music and speeches were the order of the day. The crowing event was the unveiling of the soldier’s monument in the Court House Square by Governor Kirkwood. His speech was described as “characteristic, off-hand, and stirring, not unlike a cavalry charge in its fire and energy.”

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By 9 o’clock in the morning of July 4, 1876, the streets of Muscatine swarmed with excited, enthusiastic, patriotic people. Although the storm of the night before kept many home because of bad roads, many sightseers came by train. At sunrise, a special train of crowded cars arrived from Riverside. Col. C.C. Horton led the parade, riding the same horse that had carried him through his brilliant campaign with the Second Iowa Cavalry during the war. The procession, more than a mile long, ended at the fairgrounds. Six to eight thousand people filled the area and as the heat of the day increased, the lemonade flowed freely.

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Speeches were the order of the day in the celebration of the Centennial Fourth of July, 1876. Mayor Ament of Muscatine made a short, introductory address. Following a rendition of “Hail Columbia” Major J.A. Pickler, read the immortal Declaration of Independence with what was described as “an eloquence that brought out in an impressive manner all its grand principles and truth.” Then came the oration of Hon. Lyman A. Ellis of Lyons. It was described as eloquent in sentiment, grand in though, brilliant in utterance and breathing patriotism in every sentence. Following the oration as intermission was allowed for dinner. Upon re-assembling, Suel Foster presented a historical text with sketches of the History of Muscatine County. Toasts, an indispensable and interesting feature of such celebration, followed.

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River excursions were planned to celebrate the Centennial Fourth. Capt. Davidson of the ferry boat, Ida May, scheduled two trips; one to Drury’s Landing starting at 5:00 p.m. returning at 7:00 p.m. and another by moonlight, starting at 8:00 p.m. until 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. and steaming up and down the river to give the party an opportunity to see the fireworks in the city. A barge was attached to the boat to the boat to afford the excursionists ample room. Many organizations planned such river excursions to Geneva Island and other sites along the river where they picnicked and held special programs throughout the summer.

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Celebrations, excursions and picnics were remarkably prolific for the 4th of July, 1878. Programs at the fair ground and the grove were under the direction of Rescue Hose Company and the Champion and Excelsior Hose Companies. A ride to the country took the traveler to High Prairie Chapel’s program for the day. For a reduced round trip fare, a journey to the rally at either Lettsville or West Liberty could be had by train. The Diamond Jo Line sent in the favorite steamer, Josephine, accompanied by two bands for a trip to the Oquawka barbecue or to Burlington, returning the next night. The fare for the round trip was $1.50, meals and berth were extra. There was no lack of entertainment for the holiday of 1878.

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The glorious Fourth of 1882 found the 2nd Annual Encampment of the Iowa National Guard being held at Muscatine. The great event of the day, the prize drill, took place at 2:00 p.m. Muscatine’s Company “C” was sixth in the order of presentation but left little doubt of being first in proficiency and military bearing. On a scale of 530 possible points, the judges awarded them 491. The first prizes were $200 and an elegant silk flag. Then followed a dress parade for about 45 minutes, a sight of rare interest to those who had never seen it. The day’s program was a delightful one, free to everyone, with the exception of a 25 cent fee for seats in the amphitheatre. The prizes were awarded by the governor at the end of the encampment.

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The “original and only Baldwin” was scheduled to make a balloon ascension as part of the celebration on July 4, 1888. He arrived several days early on the steamer, Sidney. His 56 foot long balloon was readied at the ascension site, but on the 4th if failed to take off. Baldwin cited the lack of sufficient gas to inflate the balloon. The gas company claimed they had supplied 54,000 feet, more than three times the capacity he had contracted. After more than a week of controversy, Baldwin returned home to Quincy, stating that he felt the criticism of him severe, but justified, and while the fault was in the gas, he had unkind feeling toward no one and liked Muscatine.

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Problem after problem confronted the planners of the 1888 Fourth of July celebration. Not only did their widely advertised balloon ascension fail to take place, but in the afternoon, the great crowds were forced to take cover whenever it could be found as a furious wind and rain storm struck the city. During a lull in the storm a courier rode the length of Second Street informing the people that the fireworks and balloon ascension would take place on the following day. He had scarcely completed his ride when it was announced from the river bank that the covered barge containing the $800 fireworks exhibit anchored about 200 feet from shore had careened in the wind and sunk. It was hardly the grand and glorious Fourth that had been planned.

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A sane Fourth of July was the report of 1919. The opening of the Muscatine Bathing Beach was a highlight of the day, with an exceptionally large crowd attending the inauguration of the summer season. Geneva Golf and Country Club held open house for members and friends with the links very busy in the afternoon. Geneva Island, also a popular beach, attracted many picnic parties to the cottages for the day and all the fishing resorts in the neighborhood reported a full quota of patrons. One very popular spot was the newspaper office where returns of the Willard-Dempsey fight were received, blow by blow, from ringside. The bulletin service drew a crowd of fight fans. No public display of fireworks was held and most families had their own supply of pyrotechnics in 1919.

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Vaudeville was the attention getter on July 4, 1923. The acts were shown on the streets of Muscatine throughout the morning. The diving dogs performed at the City Hall yard and drew one of the largest crowds. The clown produced roars of laughter and the old time fiddler and his company of dancers did their stuff. Rube comedy teams and general “cut ups” added to the hilarity. A mammoth parade, a full schedule of events at Weed Park topped by a big fireworks display attended by 10,000 to 20,000 viewers, gave the Muscatine populance the cause to say “it was some Fourth”. Restaurants were forced to lock their doors in order to handle the crowds, refreshment stands were sold out of pop and no more was available in the City. Everybody had a great time!

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The holiday season in Muscatine in 1880 was reported to be a happy one. Though there was little in the way of public entertainment for Christmas, the holiday cheer was evident throughout the City. It was a home day and there were many reports of family reunions and festive dinners. Relatives had come by train and carriage to spend the time with their families. The newspapers of 1880 published the names of many of Muscatine’s young ladies who would celebrate New Year’s day with an open house. As for the gentlemen, they were prepared to make a day of it and had ordered an unusually large number of visiting cards.

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R.T. LaGrille, operator of the Globe Restaurant, treated 200 children to New Year’s dinner to begin the year of 19901. This was the fourth year he had invited needy children to dine at his restaurant. The menu included prime roast beef, turkey, cranberry sauce, French peas, scalloped corn, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, bread and butter followed by pudding and cream, apple and pumpkin pie, coffee, tea and milk. Fifty children were seated at a time and waiters answered every call for seconds. The meal was a substantial holiday one and nobody left the table hungry.

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In December, 1914, the Christmas spirit was reflected in the illumination downtown. Above Second Street, rows of green and red lights were strung to enhance the appearance of the shopping district as well as to add to the effectiveness of the window decorations, also done in red and green. Yuletide illuminations and decoration had been carried out in many Eastern cities for years, but Muscatine was one of the first Midwestern cities to adopt a general plan for decoration. The result was very effective and a pleasant sight for Christmas shoppers.

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