GLORIOUS FOURTH OF JULY 1896

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, July 6, 1896.

THE GLORIOUS FOURTH

CELEBRATED IN CORTLAND--GREAT CROWD PRESENT.

Rain Prevented Some of the Sports —Excellent Firemen's Parade — Great Fusiliers—Fine Exhibition of Loyal Bicycles.

   The Fourth of July or a circus will either one of them draw together a crowd regardless of what there is to be seen. The crowd was certainly in Cortland on Saturday and enjoyed all that was going on, though the rain prevented the completion of the sports. The small boy and his older brother made night as hideous as usual during the period of darkness preceding the dawning of the Fourth. Bells were rung, whistles blown, fire crackers of all sizes exploded and bonfires were lighted.

   When the morning came at an early hour all roads leading into town began to fill with teams and with pedestrians and before 10 o'clock one would think it was Barnum's circus day.

   The firemen's parade was started at 10:45 A. M. and made one of the finest displays of its kind ever seen in Cortland. It was probably not excelled by anything here since the days of the state convention in 1888. The procession was in three divisions, the first forming on Court-st., the second on Railroad-st. and the third on Groton-ave. The line of march was as previously announced and the column was made up as follows:

FIRST DIVISION.

   Police force 7 men; board of engineers 12; Dryden cornet band 16 pieces; Neptune hose of Dryden 17 men; Water Witch Steamer and Hose 28 men; C. W. Conger hose of Groton 20 men; Tempest hose of Homer 16 men; Emerald hose 23 men.

SECOND DIVISION.

   Cortland Drum Corps, 6 pieces; Tioughnioga hose of Homer, 17 men; Hitchcock hose, 28 men: Protective police, 24 men.

THIRD DIVISION.

   Cortland City band, 16 pieces; Triumph hose of Homer, 16 men; Orris hose, 27 men: Orient Hook and Ladder Co. of Homer, 15 men; Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co., 31 men.

Board of trustees.

   After the parade which closed on Church-st. the board of village trustees alighted and reviewed the Cortland department. The village fathers expressed themselves as well satisfied in every respect with the appearance of the department. President Benton said it was a department in which any place could well take pride and he was proud of our firemen. Complimentary words for the visitors were also heard on every side.

   The first event of the afternoon was the fusilier parade which was one of the best ever seen in Cortland. The parade was full of amusing and laughable features and pleased everyone. The makeups and paintings were the work of Messrs. B. D. Hakes and J. J. Murphy.

   Just in advance of the fusiliers there was a parade of Loyal bicycles built by the Wesson-Nivison Mfg. Co. This company was headed by Messrs. Wesson and Nivision themselves. Forty-three wheels were in the line. All the riders wore white sweaters and white caps and the word "Loyal" in blue letters appeared on their breasts. Fourteen of the riders drew a light truck wagon which was handsomely decorated and upon which were samples of the products of this company. Mr. Wesson's two small boys, dressed like the others sat upon the truck. The effect was very pretty indeed and the whole company was highly complimented.

   A number of the business men had floats in the parade advertising their respective lines of business.

   After the fusilier parade the hose races occurred on Church-st. The 200-yard hose race was won by Orris hose in 33 seconds, the time of the Emeralds being 34 1/2 sec. The Orris and Emeralds were the only companies starting in the hub and tub race [tubs on wheels; also known as hub, tub and pub race--ed.] which was won by the former by 4 feet in 28 seconds.

   The 100-yard hook and ladder races resulted in a victory for the Orients of Homer, their time being 27 seconds and that of the Excelsiors of Cortland being 34 seconds.

   Rain interfered with the further sports and so the bicycle and fat men's races were not started. [text highlighted--ed.]

   An immense crowd assembled at the corner of Church and Court-sts. in the evening to witness the fireworks which were of a high order and presented a very pleasing sight.

   After the firemen's parade in the morning on Church-st. Excelsior Hook and Ladder company gave a very creditable exhibition of running from Clinton-ave. to Port Watson-st., erecting a ladder and having a man on top of it in remarkably quick time.

   The crowd Saturday was a very orderly one and the police did very efficient service keeping everything orderly.