shattered hands.

It was the custom of the Cornell, Allen and Mayer families to gather on our farm at the northwest corner of town for the Independence Day celebration. We enjoyed a family picnic supper followed, after dark, by a large display of sparklers, roman candles, pinwheels and skyrockets.

Uncle Ward Allen, usually a dignified attorney, became a boy again on these occasions. He delighted in arousing Aunt Zoe Mayer and our girl cousins with explosions of bombs and torpedoes at dawn of the big day. Ward always made certain that there was an abundant supply of evening fireworks. All the cousins had the opportunity to twirl many sparklers and hold several roman candles while they shot balls of fire into the air. My father would build a chute for launching skyrockets. The firing of these spectaculars was reserved for adult hands.

In later years, I learned that we had been the envy of our peers on these evenings. And that there were many unseen spectators beyond the perimeter of the farmhouse lawn.

The first recorded Independence Day celebration was in 1869. This event was attended by the editor of the Decorah Republican and his comprehensive report appears elsewhere in this book. Likely the day was observed every year, but the next account found in our research was printed in the Ossian Herald in 1881. These highlights of the day were listed; an oration by L. C. McKenney; a picnic dinner; a glass ball shooting competition; a sack race for a purse; an auction sale of a gold-headed cane and bracelets; and a picnic supper followed by a dance in the evening.

A parade was held in 1882—perhaps the one pictured. The order of march was listed as; 1. Knickerboker on his ancient mule. 2. Ossian Silver Cornet Band. 3. Barber, 4. Shoemaker. 5- Tinner. 6. Hamessmaker. ?. Cooper. 8. Carpenter. 9. Photographer. 10. Blacksmith. 11. Cabinetmaker. 12. Bricklayers. 13. Painter. 14. Carriagemakers.    15. Dentist. 16. Milliner. 17. Cream skimmer & egg tester. 18. Tailors. And then the entire crowd.

The report of the 1883 celebration said that $134 had been raised for the occasion, both halls had been reserved for dances and a rousing time was expected.

W. J. Hampson sponsored a bowery dance on July 4, 1885 with R. A. Kennedy and D.    C. Malloy serving as floor managers. An item that year tells of the explosion of the "small cannon" at the wedding of John Wirsching. A six pound section was blown 60 rods and smaller segments scattered in all directions. We would speculate that there must surely have also been a "large cannon" and that these two noise-makers were active participants in the celebrations of that era.

Races were popular after the establishment of the Ossian track in 1884. The 1889 Independence Day celebration was described in some detail by editor Carter. "Fully 3000 people were in attendance at Murray's grove. Ossian's Cornet Band led the parade, followed by 42 young ladies, dressed in white and each carrying a flag with the name of a state. The Declaration of Independence was read by Miss N. Peyer. Rev. J. D. Wyatt served as chaplain. Mr. T. J. Sullivan delivered a stirring oration in English, and Mr. Sebastian Goetz addressed the assembly in the German language. M. J. Woolsey spoke for 15 minutes. Over 600 people witnessed the races at the track; the trotting event went to Morfield, owned by E.    Schoonmaker, while E. H. Limbeck's sorrel mare won the running race. First place in the bicycle race was taken by Fred Figge, Theodore Schultz Jr. placed second and Frank Figge won third. Foot races were held on Main street. A young man from Clermont was declared the winner, with George Webster running a close second. Frank Groff took the small boy's event. In the evening, there was an excellent—the finest ever in this county—display of fireworks. Three dances were held during the afternoon and evening. Good order was maintained by five special police, plus the fact that prohibition 'prevented' the sale of 200 kegs of intoxicating beverages."

During the early 1890s, Ossian's citizens were awakened each Independence Day by Chris Watercott, a be-whiskered giant of a blacksmith. He would greet the