Committees were appointed as follows: committee on general arrangements -- J.H. Northrup, Geo. Van Alstine, R. Pratt, C.P. Post, J.T. Atkins, K.M. Burnham, John Lynch, M. Turner, G.W. Waters, Ed Ames, Jacob Hayden, Samuel Davis, Wheeler Dyer, Tom Dickinson, O.G. Taylor.
Committee on finance and music -- C.K. Pratt, Alex McNay, John Hale, Dan Cleaver, Mat Larscheider.
Committee on speaker -- G.W. Waters, E.R. Beebe.
Committee on programme -- C.P. Post, Frank Sherart, E.R. Beebe.
Committee on water and ice -- M. Boney, J.H. Northrup.
Committee on chariot -- "Crip" Jones, Evi Fuller, James Corkins, John Fellman.
Committee on trimming chariot -- Frank Sherart, Wm. Mudge, Dr.L.J. Carmer.
Committee on straightening flag staff and flag raising -- M.A. Halsted, Dan Lynch, C.M. Blachely, Wm. V. Northrup.
Committee on firing cannon -- Perk Turner, John Stowell.
Marshals -- George S. Clark, Ed Ames.
President of the day -- Hon. H. Wason.
Chaplain -- Rev. John Bruce.
Reader -- Rev. F.D. Baker.
The above committees are requested to meet every Tuesday evening until the Fourth at Viant's store, to report progress and make such additional arrangements as may be suggested from time to time. An invitation is extended to all to meet with us upon that occasion.
A Tinkerville comment on Lowell Centennial for July 4, 1876 -- "Our neighboring town of Lowell is going to be ahead this year in the line of celebrations. She is always ahead." -- Signed Green and Back
June 24, 1876 -- Lowell will have a grand time the Fourth. Momence will be here with a big delegation. The people are awake and will pour in by the thousands from every direction. Ample arrangements for the comfort of a big crowd are being made. There will be processions, gorgeous banners, exquisite music, brilliant speaking, and an unequaled display of fireworks in the evening. A grand time is in store for the thousands that will be here that day.
Hold Trotting Races
The Lowell Driving Park association offers $65 in premiums for trotting and running on the Fourth as follows: Trotting -- first purse, $20; second, $10; third, $5. Best 3 in 5 mile heats in harness. Five to enter and three to start. Open to horses owned in Lake County.
Running -- First purse, $15; second, $10; third, $5. Half mile heats, best two in three. Five to enter and three to start. Entrance fee ten per cent of purse. Open to all. Commence at one o'clock p.m. sharp. There will also be a foot race on the track.
Program
Fourth of July Programme: ringing of the bells; rounds of artillery; raising Colors at sunrise; overature [sic] by the Lowell Silver Coronet [sic] band; rounds of artillery; forming upon the square at 10 a.m.; procession.
Order of procession as follows:
President, orator, reader, etc., band in their beautiful chariot; a live dromedary from the Arabian deserts, caparisoned in oriental style; Kalathumpian band, dressed in grotesque style; citizens in carriages: citizens on horseback; citizens on foot.
Arriving at the beautiful grove, the following order will be observed:
Calling to order by the president of the day; music; prayer; music; reading Declaration; music; oration; music; basket dinner; toasts, responses, etc.
July 8, 1876 -- A rain the previous night made the grove disagreeably wet on the Fourth. The Declaration of Independence was read by Rev. Baker, Rev. Bruce acting in the double capacity of president and chaplain of the occasion. The bowery was a lovely scene, and was kept open from 1 p.m. until the "wee hours of the morning."
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