HISTORY OF MASON CITY
Page 101
HISTORY OF MASON CITY
Page 101
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To a resident of the slow moving, staid and close calculating Eastern States it is not easy to comprehend the springing into a healthful existence in the brief space of a few years, of an active, thriving, energetic business town of over two thousand inhabitants, with its tall church spires, its noble school building, its extensive and substantial business blocks, its banks, its printing offices, grain elevators and commodious warehouses, its long lines of railroads, the best in the State, in fact, all the elements and facilities of a first class business town, where but a few brief years ago the writer hereof has crossed those prairies on horseback, and frequently a house of the pioneer was not in sight, and when nearing the place where Mason City now stands, with her tall spires pointing high and glistening in the sunshine, we have ridden four to six miles without seeing a human habitation. Yet, such has been the history of this pleasant city. Its past is not only thus pleasant to retrospect, but it needs no prophet's ken, to truthfully say that "it doth not yet appear what it shall be," in even the near future.
About twenty-four years ago, what is now the site of Mason City, was government land, and was entered in 1849 by James Maloney, who afterwards conveyed it to George Straut. Mr. Straut conveyed portions of the tract to various parties, who subsequently re-conveyed to him, and in the autumn of 1857 he employed E. Z. Hunt to survey the original plat of the This plat was filed in the Recorder's office by Mr. Straut, September 29, 1857. It includes a tract three-fourths of a mile long and one-half a mile wide-240 acres. It is bounded by Walnut, Jefferson, Division and Keefer streets. It consists of 37 full blocks (each 320 feet square), and 22 fractional blocks, which are divided into 623 full lots and 78 fractional lots. The streets are 80 feet wide, except Keefer street, which is 60 feet wide. Block 30 was reserved for public buildings, and block 36 for a park.
STRAWN'S ADDITION
ELLIOTT'S ADDITION
ROSEBROUGH'S ADDITION
NORTHEAST ADDITION
WEST ADDITION From an examination of the figures given above, I find that the whole number of lots in this city, as shown by the recorded plats, is 1,308. The sub-division of business lots would of course increase this number. Within our corporate limits there are now about 480 acres laid out in lots, very few of which remain unimproved.
And now, having disposed of these, perhaps, somewhat uninteresting details concerning the several recorded plats, I desire to turn the attention of the reader back to the condition of this locality eighteen or twenty years ago. In an interesting editorial, entitled "Mason City Then and Now," from the pen of Mr. Warnock, which appeared in the Independent, December 22, 1871, I find the following: "Fifteen years ago the present site of Mason City was, in autumn, a waving, and, apparently boundless, sea of blue stem prairie grass, so high that, in many places, a man on horseback could not be seen one hundred yards distant. Wolves had their dens in the ridge where High street now runs, and night was made hideous by their howls. Deer, in great herds, might be started up at any time, but their course could only be known by the parting of the tall grass. Every fall the whole face of the country was swept over by fire, the flames of which would reach high up towards the heavens, then swoop down, reaching a hundred feet ahead, and taking into their grasp the tinder-like material. None but those who have seen our prairie fires of fifteen or twenty years ago can comprehend their magnificent grandeur. But Mr. Young's hopes were blasted, too, for a third line was afterwards run, which is the present line of what is commonly known as the Jacksonville Branch of the Chicago and Alton Railroad. I remember that this road was completed to the south line of our corporation on the Fourth of July, 1867, and on that day the first train made its appearance, bearing about two hundred excursionists from Petersburg and other points along the route. That was a happy day in this community. The locomotive was the most welcome new-comer we had ever seen. Scores of staring, wondering children gathered about the strange visitor. Our women were never more amiable and pleasing. Our business men smiled contentedly, held their heads higher, and walked with a firmer step; and that evening, when they retired to their homes, many of them who had never been known to possess any musical talent, astonished their families greatly by singing with exceeding gusto, "Ain't we glad to get out of the wilderness," or "We'll have no trouble any more!" That day was the beginning of the season of our city's greatest prosperity. Late in the fall of '57 David Dare put up a blacksmith shop on the northeast corner of Chestnut and Menard streets. This was the first building erected in the original plat. It was torn down several years ago. The next building erected still stands upon its original site on the third lot north of Chestnut street, on the west side of Main street, and is now owned by Mrs. E. Bell. Mr. Straut gave this lot to William Hibberd, upon condition that the latter would erect a hotel thereon. Mr. Hibberd employed Henry Howell, a builder, and a few Petersburg mechanics, and on the first day of December, 1857, the erection of the "Hibberd House" was commenced, and on the twenty-first day of the same month Mr. H. and his family moved into it, although it was unpainted and unplastered till about the first of the succeeding month. The framing timbers were hewn out in one of the nearest groves, and the lumber was hauled from Pekin. In the same month of December Henry Keefer put up a two-story frame building on the west side of Tonica street, where it still remains, just north of the lumber yard office of J. A. Clegg & Co. Soon after Mr. Hibberd commenced building his hotel he caused a notice to be circulated, after the fashion of those days, that a "Grand Dedication Ball," as he called it, would be given at Mason City on Christmas night. Christmas came, and so did the ball. Mr. Hibberd says that fully three hundred guests were assembled. There were saints and sinners, old men and matrons, young men and maidens. They came from Peoria, Pekin, Havana, Delavan, Lincoln, Petersburg, and "all the region round about." The ball was held in both stories of the Keefer building, which had not yet been plastered. There was a "string band" in each room. About one hundred and fifty engaged in the dance, and about an equal number were mere spectators. The dancing commenced about seven o'clock, P. M., and was continued, with but brief intermission, till daylight. No one retired at the Hibberd House that night. All night long the cooks and waiters were busy catering to the appetites of those who had come to the ball. For once, at least, "consumption" assumed an epidemic form. Says Mr. H.: "I had laid in a large supply of 'provender,' but those people ate me out so completely that I had to go to Delavan-the nearest town-the next day (Saturday) and buy provisions for Sunday." In January, 1858, A. A. Cargill and W. L. Woodward opened a store of general merchandise, in the lower story of the Keefer building, and soon afterwards the first public school was commenced, in the second story of the same building, with Miss Rhoda Allen, (now Mrs. Loring Hastings) for teacher. In this school-room the first religious meetings were held. Rev. Mr. Holdsclaw, a Baptist, who resided down on Crane Creek, was the first regularly employed minister. This room was used by all denominations, however, until the erection of a large two-story frame building by Joseph Elliott's building, and employed Rev. John Andrews for pastor. The public school had been removed to this room, however, before the organization of this church. Cortes Hume purchased the Elliott building before it was completed. After its completion he opened a store in the lower story. This building now stands on the northwest corner of Tonica and Elm streets, having been removed from it old site by the present owner, G. M. LaForge, in order to make room for his commodious Opera House and mercantile rooms. The third store was opened by A. & S. D. Swing, in the latter part of the winter of '58 and '59, in a large frame building, which still stands upon its former site, a short distance east of the C. & A. R. R., between Elm and Arch streets. R. A. Hurt came next in the mercantile line, then Hurt & Porter. But I have neither time nor space to make special mention of other merchants. In those early days merchants necessarily had to deal in a little of everything. The stock in trade of nearly every house consisted of dry goods, groceries, hardware, farm machinery, boots and shoes, hats and caps, paints and oils, clothing, millinery (?), patent medicines, etc., etc., and in exchange for merchandise they received money, live stock, cord wood, furs, hides, poultry, butter, eggs, fruit, grain, and all manner of produce. A. A. Cargill was the first postmaster. He was commissioned in the spring of '58, and remained in office about eighteen months. For two or three years great difficulty was experienced in getting the mail. For about a year the mail for this point was sent to Petersburg, and the people in this vicinity employed Edgar Hunt, by private subscription, to carry mail to and from Petersburg, once a week, but in times of freshets the people had to wait for two to four weeks for mail matter. In order to avoid high water, arrangements were afterwards made for getting the mail at Delavan instead of Petersburg. Israel Hibberd was appointed postmaster in the fall of '59, and held his office till June, '61, when A. A. Cargill was again appointed, and he retained the office till August, 1866, when he was succeeded by E. J. Mell. Mr. Mell was succeeded by J. H. Cleveland, Mr. Cleveland by Sallie C. Sullivan, Miss Sullivan by Louise Hoyt, the present postmistress. Mr. Cargill tells me that during his first administration a common cigar box was amply sufficient to hold a week's mail. About ten years ago, I think, the government established mail routes through here from Delavan to Petersburg, and from Lincoln to Havana. This change in the manner of receiving and forwarding the mail was, of course, highly appreciated. During the first two or three years of its existence, Mason City grew rapidly, but during the succeeding five years very few new buildings were erected. Soon after the close of the war the work of improvement was resumed, but not until '67 did the period of Mason City's greatest prosperity begin, and that period still continues. Near the close of the session of the Legislature, held in the winter of 1868-69, an act was passed incorporating Mason City under a special city charter. It is certain that the passage of that act was not secured in a very honorable manner. A large majority of our citizens preferred to retain the old town organization, and were unaware of the fact that a charter had been applied for until after the announcement of its passage. But it soon became apparent that acquiescence in the new order of things was unavoidable. This charter divided the city into four wards, as follows: First ward lay west of Main street and north of Chestnut; the second, west of Main Street and south of Chestnut; the third, east of Main street and south of Chestnut; and fourth, east of Main street and north of Chestnut. The first charter election was held, I think, on the first Tuesday in April, 1869. That election and the preceding campaign were very exciting, and hotly contested.
The license question was the issue in the selection of the Mayor and Aldermen-politics being ignored. Inasmuch as a full vote was polled at that election, it may not be uninteresting to insert the result of the Mayor.
ALDERMEN
Thomas Lamoreux was elected City Judge, S. N. Hornbuckle, Marshal, and Wm. Warnock, Jr., Collector. The council elect appointed G. W. Ellsberry City Clerk, S. N. Hornbuckle, Assessor, and J. A. Walker, Treasurer.
Resulted as follows: H. T. Strawn, Mayor; Wellington Houseworth, Marshal; D. M. Childs, Collector. The Alderman from the first ward was D. E. LeSourd; from the second, J. A. Phelps; from the third, John Prichet; from the fourth, George Young. R. C. Dement was appointed City Clerk, and R. W. Porter was appointed Treasurer. In consequence of the resignations of Judge Lamoreux and Marshal Houseworth, a special election was held in December 1870, which resulted in the choice of J. S. Shuck, for City Judge, and George Tippey, for Marshall.
Luther Naylor was elected Mayor; M. C. Vanloon, Marshal; and F. N. Smith, Collector. The Alderman from the first ward was H. M. Anderson; from the second, Geo. A. Withers; from the third, N. Travis; from the fourth, J. S. Gates. J. F. Culp was appointed City Clerk, and John Lazelle, Treasurer. In consequence of the resignation of Judge Shuck, and the failure of F. N. Smith to qualify, a special election was held August 1, 1871, resulting in the election of J. H. Wandle for City Judge, and Jeremiah Riggins, for Collector.
Luther Naylor was elected Mayor; A. S. Jackson, Marshal; S. S. Martin, Collector; Joseph Statler, City Judge. H. M. Anderson was elected Alderman from the first ward; Andrew McElheney, from the second; N. Travis, from the third; J. S. Gates, from the fourth. J. F. Culp was appointed City Clerk, and John Lazelle, Treasurer. July 3, 1872, a petition, signed by fifty legal voters of the city, was presented to the City Council, asking that an election be called to vote for or against the adoption of "An act to provide for the incorporation of cities and villages." Approved April 10, 1872. In force July 1, 1872. The prayer of this petition was granted. An election was held August 5, 1872, which resulted in the adoption of the new incorporation act by a large majority. Minority representation was rejected. This result necessitated a change in the boundaries of wards previous to the next general election. The census was taken bay a committee appointed by the Council, and an ordinance was duly passed, dividing the city into three wards, as follows: First ward lay west of Mason street and north of Chestnut; the second, west of Mason street and south of Chestnut; and the third, all that portion of the city east of Mason street.
Mayor-T. J. Watkins. Aldermen 1st Ward-A. A. Cargill and J. S. Gates. " 2nd " W. I. Kincaid and J. C. Ellsberry. " 3rd " W. S. Chenoweth and L. D. Case. City Attorney-Wm. P. Freeman. City Clerk-J. C. Warnock. City Treasurer-Jacob Benscoter. City Marshal-Dennis Pride (appointed). But this article is already extended to twice the length I had intended, and, lest I weary the reader, I must hasten to a conclusion. To-day, Mason City has a population of at least 2,000. During the last six years the average increase in population has been about 250 per year. Perhaps a larger amount of business is transacted here every year than in any other city of equal size in the State of Illinois. This city is situated in eastern Mason county, in the center of a well settled and exceedingly fertile district of country, and, as long as agriculture shall continue to be the true basis of wealth and power, just so long will the prosperity of Mason City by assured. But, though the success of our city is largely dependent upon the support of agriculturists, it must be admitted that the growth and improvement, both of the city and the country surrounding it, is, to a considerable extent, due to railroads, and to the pluck and enterprise of our merchants, grain dealers and other business men. The Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Ex. R. R. was completed through this place to Havana, in January, 1873, it will soon be finished to the Mississippi river, and will then be one of the most important railroad lines in the West. It is probable that within two years a road, to be known as "The Grand Junction Railway," will be built from Quincy to this place, making connection here with the Chicago & Alton R. R. And so, from all points of view, the outlook is most encouraging. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be," fully, but enough can be seen to inspire in any reasonable observer the belief that Mason City is destined to move onward and upward to a much higher rank among the host of cities stationed in the great Mississippi Valley. For the above sketch of Mason City, we are very largely indebted to G. W. Ellsberry, Esq., Attorney-at-Law, in Mason City, and for his kindness to us in the compilation of the material; for this, we only wish that he may be prospered and built up as has been the city of his adoption. One of the elements of Mason City's prosperity is the class of mechanics who have, fortunately for her and them, made their homes within her limits. Among them we are pleased to note Ambrose and Sons, dealers in tin, stoves and hardware; L. Swing, tin, stoves and hardware; Fiddler & Pritchet, saddles, harness and trunks, Hawes & Co., saddles, harness and trunks; Cole, boots and shoes; Gardner, boots and shoes; and Finch, boots and shoes; Mundt & Oeltjen, merchant tailors; Cameron, merchant tailor; Cooper, merchant tailor. Among her Physicians we find Drs. J. P. Walker, J. B. McDowell, O. P. Crane, J. W. Speez, I. N. Ellsberry, A. M. Bird, J. M. Taylor, G. B. Black and J. A. Walker. Messrs. Kincaid & Bradley, druggists, and Fiddler & Pritchett, saddlers, are the oldest business firms in the city without change. In dry goods and general merchandise, we find Cargill & Swing, Wakeman, Freeman & Co., Gulick, Taylor & Co., Sharp Bros. and Mr. During. In drugs, Kincaid & Bradley, J. H. Hopkins, W. A. Dunn, Sharp Bros. & Co. Livery stables, W. T. Lynch and B. D. Riner have both number one establishments. Restaurants, Radebaugh & Manspeaker, Jacob Maurer, W. LeSourd, and Nelson Wallace. Jewelers, J. C. Ellsberry, J. L. Davison, J. A. Smith, and H. C. Parker. Blacksmiths, W. S. Cheneworth, manufacturer of wagons on an extensive scale; H. B. Cease, also a large manufacturer; and H. S. Houseworth, wagon manufacturer. Geo. Yost, Roberts & Benway, James Stebbins and Chas. Brooker, are among the substantial mechanics in their line. The banks of the city are, the First National Bank and F. N. Smith & Co., both substantial institutions. In hotels, the St. Nicholas, by H. L. Gray; the Sherman, by J. C. Bell; and the Mason City House, by Mr. Johnson. Of her elevators and her warehouses, Mason City can well congratulate herself. M. R. La Forge & Co., R. A. Mulholland, John Stewart, and John Pritchet are the owners. They have an aggregate capacity of over one million bushels, and facilities for handling second to none. Of carpenters and cabinet makers, there are many, but we failed to obtain a full list, and omit all. Painters, J. F. McDonald, S. P. Woodward, Geo. Jackson, Amos Cole, T. H. Price & Bro., Mark Banis, J. F. Culp. An extensive carriage manufactory is carried on successfully by Samuel Cobbs, and a wagon factory by W. B. Ward.
PRESBYTERIAN-S. J. Bogle, Pastor. Services every Sabbath, at 11'o'clock, A. M., and 7:30, P. M. Sabbath School, at 9:30, A. M. E. M. Sharp, Superintendent. BAPTIST-C. A. Hobbs, Pastor. Service every Sabbath, at 11 o'clock, A. M., and 7:30, P. M. Sabbath School, at 2:30, P. M. J. J. Hastings, kSuperintendent. METHODIST-Jas. W. Sinnock, Pastor. Service every Sabbath, at 11 o'clock, A. M., and 7:30, P. M. Sabbath School, at 2:30, P. M. Henry Wakeman, Superintendent.
MASON CITY LODGE, No. 403, A. F. & A. M.-Regular communications on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of every month. S. M. Badge, W. M. J. F. Culp, Secretary. MASON CITY LODGE, No. 337, of I. O. O. F.-Regular Meeting every Thursday evening in their hall, LaForge Block. G. W. Ellsberry, N. G. P. Mundt, Secretary.
T. J. Watkins
.. Mayor. One characteristic of the people of Mason City, and that to which we attribute the success and healthfulness of every department of her trade and her manufactures, is the system of home patronage she has always pursued. Her own mechanics are the first choice of her citizens for them to bestow their patronage on. Her own merchants are the persons who receive the patronage of her manufacturers and mechanics. This system of mutual patronage is one of the most commendable as well as the most profitable that can be pursued. It increases and fosters neighborly feeling, sociability, and the improvement of society, and is alike commendable and desirable to the head, the heart and the pockets of the people who practice it. It is not a principle of selfishness, but is an application of that Christian principle which is older than Christianity; practiced, recommended and enforced in the days of Confucious, adopted in a negative form by later rulers, and affirmatively commanded by the founder of the Christian system, viz: "Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you."
The first Postmaster, on the stablishment of an office in that city, was Mr. A. A. Cargill. Then Israel Hibberd, E. J. Mell, J. H. Cleveland, Miss Louisa Hoyt, and J. S. Baner, the present gentlemanly incumbent. Mr. Cargill, in addition to being the first Postmaster of the city, served a second term in that office, between the terms of Mr. Hibberd and Mr. Mell.
The observance of the--
Is thus set forth by the Journal, published at Mason City: Immediately after dinner the procession was formed by Capt. Weaver, the Marshal, in front of the journal office. The Mason City band took the lead. Following next came the chariots of State, the first one representing the States in the Union in 1776; the second one the Union as it is now. In each chariot the States were represented by young misses, appropriately dressed. These chariots were followed by the fire company, with the engine ornamented and bedecked with flags. Next came the carriages with the speakers, the clergy, the members of the press, and a lengthy procession of citizens. After marching through the principal streets, the line of march was concluded at the wigwam. The ground about the wigwam was, in consequence of the rain, in a very damp condition, but every one seemed willing to make the best of the situation, and the programme was gone through with with great interest to all. After music by the band, and an eloquent prayer by Father Randle, and a patriotic song by the Glee Club, Augustus Green, the President of the day, delivered a most thrilling and eloquent poem, for the opening address. The Declaration of Independence was read by Capt. W. H. Weaver, and was read in a manner that elicited the warmest applause. Next came the oration of the day, by Rev. John Crozier, of Menard county. Mr. Crozier's oration is worthy of an extended notice, which we are not able to give it at this late hour, before our paper goes to press, especially as we are too much demoralized by the fatigue and excitement of the week to write anything connectedly. Suffice it to say that the oration was eloquent and eminently appropriate, and was listened to with great interest by all. The oration was followed by short addresses by Geor. W. Ellsberry and Joseph Baner, Esq., and then by toasts and responses, interspersed with songs by the Glee Club and music by the band. Of the responses to the toasts, the original poem by Mr. Green, to the sentiment "Now and Then," received very many encomiums, and while all who responded did themselves great credit, this poem was the bonmot of the occasion. At night the vast assemblage gathered about the wigwam to witness the display of fire-works. The discharge of these pyrotechnics was superintended by Frank Culp, and as a matter of course, under his management, was a perfect success; being, probably, the finest exhibition of the kind ever given in Mason county. Notwithstanding the war of the elements, the celebration was an occasion of which the managers may be well proud. It is probable that at least four thousand people crowded our streets, and enjoyed the day and its ceremonies. The thanks of the community are due to the band and the Glee Club for their music and aid; to the committee who labored hard to get the wigwam erected; and while we never like, on such occasions, where all are willing to do what they can to aid a laudable enterprise, to bestow especial praise on any single individual, we know that we express the unqualified thanks of all who participated in the jubilations of the day, to Ben Riner, who, though least conspicuous in the ceremonies, was the main spoke in the wheel; in fact, the hub of the whole affair. Almost unaided, he solicited and collected the funds, amounting to nearly $500, and paid the bills as presented, taking upon himself a large responsibility, and pushing the matter to a successful issue. We only hope Ben may live to raise the money for another centennial in Mason City. The following is from the Independent, of Mason City, on the Centennial Anniversary.
The long-looked for and long-talked of Centenary Fourth of July came last Tuesday, made its bright page in history, and left its glorious memory with those who celebrated it. It was the grand spectacle of a powerful and patriotic nation, rising simultaneously throughout its broad expanse and doing honor and homage to a beloved country and revered ancestry, and it now remains for the innumerable localities to record what they did and how they did it. It is our province to help make up the record, and preserve from oblivion, the manner in which the patriotic people of Mason City commemorated the Great American Day. The storm of the previous night disarranged our plans somewhat, but while we reverently acknowledged our dependence upon the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, we were not disposed to superstitiously look upon this as an interposition of His providence to prevent our celebration, but rather to give thanks that the day was so pleasant after all. Our artificial shade was blown down, and the ground underneath made wet and muddy; but with this exception, which caused a delay of the exercises until afternoon, everything passed off pleasantly. The Centenary Independence morn was ushered in by ringing of bells and firing of anvils (the cannon failed to come), and a general jubilee of salutations. Early in the day the business portion of the city, and a large number of dwellings, were beautifully decorated with flags and banners. At quite an early hour the streets were thronged with people, and as the clouds broke away, wagon loads almost innumerable came pouring in from all the surrounding country, and every train brought still others from distant places. Everybody seemed happy that they were vouchsafed the great privilege of stepping across the centenary line in the life and progress of their beloved country. The procession was formed at the corner of Tonica and Chestnut streets. The order of the procession was as follows: First, Mason City Cornet Band; second, a chariot of state, containing thirteen Misses, representing the original thirteen States; third, a chariot of state containing thirty-eight Misses, representing the present number of States; fourth, the fire engine, followed by the fire company in uniform; fifth, carriages containing the mayor, president, orator of the day, editors and ministers; buggies and wagons. The line of march was through the principal streets of the city to the wigwam.
The exercises at the wigwam commenced with music by the Band and Glee Club, which interspersed the exercises throughout, which were in the following order: Second-Reading of the Declaration of Independence, that immortal document, which, though old, is ever new, and which for a complete century has stood the test of criticism, and stands today unchallenged as the masterpiece in the English language, as it was admitted to be by the learned and eloquent Wm. Pitt in his day. It was read by Capt. W. H. Weaver, and in a manner that did justice to that time-honored instrument, and credit to himself. Third-Poetic Address, by Augustus Green, President of the Day, which was a beautiful and expressive production, acknowledging the protective beneficence of God in preserving our nation, and paying a glowing tribute to the immortal heroes of the Revolution. Fourth-Oration by Rev. John Crozier, in which we think he fully sustained what we promised of him, as an orator, scholar and historian, in this paper last week; although the circumstances of the situation were against him, yet by his elegant ant eloquent style and expression he held the marked attention of the vast and uncomfortably situated audience, while he beautifully traced the history and outbursts of the spirit of liberty down through the despotisms and monarchies of the world, and how the hand of God had led the people on through succeeding ages to the full establishment of Liberty and Independence in the great nation of the United States, and how the same divine hand had led the little but heroic band of patriots through the terrible war of the Revolution. After the oration, short addresses were delivered by J. S. Baner and G. W. Ellsberry, after which a variety of toasts were read and responded to, which was a pleasant feature of the occasion, and which was both amusing and instructive. This concluded the exercises at the wigwam, and the audience adjourned up town for a social time, friends and acquaintances grouping together in squads as circumstances favored. At night was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which was witnessed by an immense crowd of people. But unfortunately for a full fruition of great and well founded expectations, the electric fireworks of the clouds began to illuminate the western horizon early in the evening, and warn the people that time nor thunder storms waited not for man nor for any public gathering. The people stood their ground, however, in the face of the ominous thunder and lightning until about the last minute, when there was a simultaneous start for home. Taking it all in all, it was an occasion of which eastern Mason county may well feel proud, in that despite the wind and weather they did their duty towards commemorating the Great Centennial Fourth, and if any failed to find in it all we promised in a rather extravagant article on the subject last week, we charge it more to their lack of appreciation, hearing and eyesight, than to an overwrought imagination from exaggeration on our part; and if we should be editing the Independent when the next centennial comes round, and you, kind readers, should be the readers of it, we will make all right then whatever may have been amiss this time. |