SRHS
Steamboat Rock Historical Society
A CENTURY DRAWS TO A CLOSE
GRAND DECORATIONS
“Talk about decorations! From actual observations the Echo man is prepared to state the he has never saw the like of it in Eldora, Iowa Falls, or any other town in the county.”
“The glorious red, white and blue were everywhere present, and the waving of the stars and stripe fluttered in the balmy breeze was expressive to the patriotic joy that animated each heart.”
“Entering Main Street from the west the American heart was thrilled with delight with the display that greeted the eye. Near the billiard hall was an Immense arch spanning the street diagonally all bedecked with bunting and flags.”
“Across the street from the stores of H.J. Finster and Williamson & Doud was a gorgeous triple arch the center section being the highest had suspended letters sawed from wood, 1898-1876- The Day We Celebrate. All were decorated with the national colors.”
“Above was a large ring denoting the unity of the nation and within a large liberty bell. Surmounting the pinnacle of the arch was a magnificent picture of Admiral Sampson the hero of Santiago Harbor.”
“To the south was a smaller arch and suspended therefrom the Battleship Oregon in full battle array. To the north a third arch with a torpedo boat above and above that a picture of Dewey and Sampson the Sea Kings of the World.”
“From the Exchange Bank to Hollenbeck’s Furniture Store was a third arch spanning the street all three arches were supported by trees transplanted from the woods, towering 25-30 feet high.”
“There is no room to list individual decorations but the business places of Postmaster Luiken, Walter Neesen, Williamson & Doud, T.W. Neesen, Mayor Christians, F.H. Stern, Charles Gellhorn, J.T. Brown, Herm Lebman, Exchange Bank, Greef-Esgen Lumber Co., the millinery store, meat market, the Hollenbeck building, and the Hotel were all profusely decorated.”
“Exercises were held on the school house square and each entrance to the square was surrounded by an arch. The one at the northeast corner carried the inscription “July 4, 1776-1898 Baptist:, in keeping with the patriotism of the German Americans. Most of the Baptist Society in the town are Germans.”
“The arch on the northwest corner was by the Congregational Sunday School, and an arch on the center north side was done by the Methodist Episcopal people. It’s inscription read “1776-Independence -1898” and on the other side “ Ring the Bell Grandpa”
“Floats, homes, horses, fences, trees, men, women, children… all were decorated with emblems of liberty. Many homes were especially attractive.”
“An exercise tent was set up at the schoolhouse, but the crowd was so large that many activities had to be moved to the outside. In keeping with the spirit of the day music was provided by the Hughes Band. There were songs by the Glee Club. And, reading of the Declaration of Independence, prayer, and an Oration by Dr. J.C. Magee (from Hampton).
“The afternoon and evening were given over to sports and a royal happy time it was. Crowds on the street at 2:00 were surprised by the appearance of Blanco’s Army as prisoners. It thrilled the crowds with enthusiasm. Uncle Sam riding a black charger was leading a demented mule on which was seated the woebegone dejected Blanco. The prisoners were more terrible looking which with the munitions of war on army wagons and elated captors was the hit of the day.”
“Other activities of the afternoon included a bicycle race won by Charles Gardner, Claude Smith came second and Jacob Starr third.”
“A tug-of-war pitted two teams of ten against one another. Captain B.M. Sterns and nine were on the west end of the rope with Captain L.N. Sarles on the east. The beef of such fellows as Wm Sharpshair, H.H. Wilson, Wm Prindle was too much for the plunky eastenders.”
“In the potato sack race Wm Smith and Ray Cartwright tied for first money $2.00, McCall won the $1.00 as next, and Lloyd Peak got the booby prize.”
“Balloons were sent up and at night a grand display of fireworks delighted all.”
The only unfortunate event of the day was when a firecracker started Mayor Christians awning on fire. It was soon extinguished and the festivities continued.
It was evidently a dry summer in 1898 because an article in the Echo 8/16/98, stated that the mill running on steam due to low water in the river. Advertising for the same period stated, “Steamboat Rock Roller Mill- Benson and Gearhart proprietors, T.E. Gearhart engineer.”