A Great Triple Celebration Of Independance Day 1899

A GREAT TRIPLE CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY 1899

The glorious Fourth was indeed a great day at Ypsilanti. The Greek city certainly did herself proud in its diamond celebration Tuesday. The principle streets had been beautifully decorated for the occasion and there was an abundant display of red, white and blue throughout the residence -portion of the city. There was a magnificent arch across the main street, about the middle of the principal business block and another of like pattern over the river at the depot. The occasion was the 75th anniversary of the first celebration held in the city and likewise the first celebration in the county.

Before 9 o'clock the country for miles about had emptied its population into the city and the streets were packed with people. By the time the parade was ready to form there were probably 10,000 on hand to witness it. The parade was scheduled for 9 o'clock but did not make its appearance until 10. It formed at the corner of Ellis and Adams sts. and passed down Main over the river, thence north to the depot then west on Cross to Huron and down Huron taking in the principal streets. It was a fine parade. It was led by the Rochester Band which was followed by the G. A. R. veterans of Welch Post, Ann Arbor, and Carpenter Post, of Ypsilanti. Then came C. E. Yost as marshal of the day, followed by a trap in which was seated Mayor E. P. Allen, H. P. Glnver and Robert Hemphill. A tally ho loaded to its capacity followed with carriage containing  citizens. Then came the Flint Band. Following the band were more carriages with citizens. Then came a long line of the most ingenious floats. The Scharf, Tag and Box Co. had a very line float with a printing press running. The progress of the fire department from 1874 to 1899 was nicely illustrated. First came the old engine used in 1874, followed by an 1882 engine, then the modern apparatus of 1899 and the hook and ladder. The lady Maccabees had a beautiful float in the line which was called the Queen City Hive. It was in the shape of the traditional bee hive with bees flying about. Upon the platform with the hive stood a lady dressed in white. A little farther down the line came the Ypsilanti Band and Co. G, 31st Michigan Volunteers. Prospect Laundry had a fine float with the work going on. The Ypsilanti Poultry Association had a fine exhibit of poultry in the parade. The Gas Co. float represented the ease with which pancakes can be made on the gas stove. Wallace & Clark, O. E. Thompson & Sons, J. H. Miller & Sons, McGregor, the baker, Ainsworth & Bachelder, Harding & Schaefer, Deubel Bros., Mack & Mack, Sampson, bicycle dealer, and practically every business house in the city were represented and the various floats showed much ingenuity on the part of the owners. One float represented the old time log cabin and was carried on two bicycles. Dewey's flag ship Olympia was also in line on a bicycle. A boy sat in the middle of the boat astride the wheel which propelled it and just behind the boy was a smoke stack out of which the smoke was rolling. This was followed by a similar boat labeled Ypsilanti and carried on a wheel. Behind these rode a typical Uncle Sam on a wheel. The parade was a great success. After the parade had disbanded speeches were made from a stand erected at the corner of Congress and Adams sts. Mayor Alien presided. Congressman Washington Gardner, of Albion, made the principal oration. He was followed by Congressman H. O. Smith, of this district,; Mayor Willard Stearns, of Adrian, and Rep. H. M. Cheever, of Detroit. A most interesting personage was introduced to the people by Mayor Allen in the person f Mrs. Sarah Harwood Morse, of Leslie. Mrs. Morse attended the first celebration in 1824, of which the diamond celebration of yesterday is the 75th anniversary. The venerable woman not withstanding her extreme age still retains her mental vigor and capacity to enjoy such occasions as Tuesday.

In spite of the bull-headedness of Sam Post, the chief owner of the Queen Ann Soap Co., in not allowing the citizens of Ypsilanti to use the Fair grounds, owned by him unless a large price would be paid, the athletic features came off all right on the S. Adams st. commons. The aquatic sports took place at the Congress st. bridge. A purse of about $20 was made up for a young fellow named Hewitt, who dove off from the top of the bridge.