Why cannot Lafayette have a Fourth of July celebration? We believe that we could get up a good one here. By getting up a good celebration we could get a large number of people to attend from the neighboring towns. Let us make the trial and see what can be done.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/20/1893.
Musings of a Mossback.
A Cynical, Yet, "Tongue In Cheek" View of Lafayette's First 4th of July Celebration.
I am much afraid we Mossbacks are going to have "a hard road to travel," in the time to come. It was enough that we are compelled to apprehend the official acts of a 20th century city council, owning and operating a street committee "on wheels," without having the further infliction thrust on us of a Business Men's Association, RESUSCITATED ! There is this difference, tho' between the two - the council was elected for two years whilst the B. M. A. was not elected at all but can disband at pleasure. Much comfort is to be drawn from this fact, for while we recognize that councilmen are necessary evil, we know that a Business Men's Association is an entirely superfluous appendage to a town, which is proven by the fact that no legislators have ever provided for its support for taxation. Being denied any means of subsistence how can such an association be expected to survive. Anyway, history shows beyond (unreadable word) that the citizens, mossbacks and all others have never, at any time, indulged in superfluities of the class to which the B. M. A. belongs, and it would be doing the community a gross injustice to suspect for a single moment that the present spurt of public spiritedness (save the mark!) will be more than very short duration. Why, I have already heard no less than half a hundred mossbacks say that the new movement is bound to be a failure because nothing of the kind has ever been know to succeed in Lafayette. This is a most significant affirmation, and by all laws of reasoning, ought to meet the fate of the Business Men's Association of the Spring of 1895. I know it won't last long and I would not join for that reason. Oh yes, those periodical out-breaks always are noted for their brilliant (?) beginnings. They never fail to make a fine run to first base, but lo! the score fails to show the recording of one solitary "home" run. This time the ball will be started to rolling with a fourth of July celebration ! Holy Moses, what are we coming to? The town of Lafayette seriously contemplating to celebrate the "glorious fourth!" And think of a committee headed by ex-Mayor Campbell and Dr. Thos. B. Hopkins going the rounds soliciting contributions to defray the expense of the celebration, and this same committee raising over $200 within the first two hours it was out ! Under the circumstances it looks as though we'll be bound to "celebrate" this time, anyhow, but let it be the last time. The good people of this old sleepy-hollow town do not want any repetition of this style of patriotism injected into their anatomies. Brass bands ! bunting! street parades! grand ball, at night! horse and bicycle races!! is too much for one occasion for the good of the present generation and will prove the ruin of the coming one. And the poor merchants and hotel keepers will be harried to death on that day by the great crowd of people who will come in to town to witness the celebration. Not only this, but some of them may be put to additional expense for extra help, that day, to serve those who will come into their places of business for meals or merchandise. I don't blame the merchant at all, who refused a contribution toward a thing that is bound to attract so much attention and trouble to the town. A man cannot be expected to stand in his own light. We may have to submit to it this one time, but let it be the last, gentlemen of the B. M. A., and this is meant as a final warning that you must desist from all further attempts of the kind. With you now rests the responsibility.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1895.
(Mossback) - Definition from Merriam-Webster:
(An extremely old-fashioned or reactionary person; old fogy.)
LAFAYETTE TO CELEBRATE FOURTH OF JULY.
At the Business Men's Association meeting Monday night it was decided to celebrate the 4th of July in Lafayette.
A good old-fashioned celebration was the unanimous choice of the meeting. A celebration to which we can invite our neighbors and friends to participate in and enjoy the hospitality of Lafayette. An executive committee was appointed to interview the leading citizens and learn what favor a celebration would meet. They were encouraged by almost everyone approached on the subject and held a meeting Tuesday evening and partially outlined a program and appointed different committees. Wednesday evening the subscription committee made a tour of the business houses and raised nearly $200.00 for the celebration. The business men were almost without exception in favor of the movement and the general advice was to do it well. The fund has been materially raised since Wednesday and will doubtless be about $300.00 by the time the money is needed.
It is hoped that every citizen of Lafayette will lend a helping hand to the celebration and make it an occasion long to be remembered. Those on the committees given below are especially requested to take hold of the part assigned to them and see that that particular part is a grand success.
The program given below is only a rough outline. The Business Men's Association meets Monday night and will then prepare a more elaborate one which will be strictly carried out. Among the attractions not mentioned before will be a number of novelty races, and last, but not least, a grand display of fire-works at night.
Lafayette Advertiser 6/8/1895.
Lafayette's First 4th of July Celebration.
Preparations for the Fourth of July celebration in Lafayette are progressing nicely and without a single hitch in the proceedings. It is the one aim of the committees to get the people to come to Lafayette and to entertain them after they have come. At the meeting of the committees Monday night it was decided not to have any fire works at night, but to take the money intended for fireworks and expend it in preparing the grounds for the comfort of the people. The speaking and baby show will be held in the opera house in the forenoon and the races tournament, etc., in the afternoon. The program will end with a grand ball at Falk's opera house at night, at which the Breaux Bridge string band will furnish the music.
For the baby show there will be eight gold medals given as prizes in the following classes:
Prettiest baby, one day to six months old.
Finest baby, one day to six months old.
Prettiest baby, six months to one year.
Finest baby, six months to one year old.
Prettiest baby, one year to two years old.
Finest baby, one year to two years old.
Brightest and smartest baby, one to two years old,
Brightest and smartest baby two to three years old.
Finest and largest baby, two or three years old.
Mothers must give the correct age of children. One stranger to select three strangers as judges.
There will be three bicycle races as follows:
First race, one-half mile. $12.00 and a gold medal, 2nd prize a handsome silver medal.
Second race, one mile, 1st prize $14.00 and a gold medal, 2nd. prize handsome silver medal.
Horse races. One mile, best two in three heats. Winner $15.00; second $5.00.
Mile race. Winner $10.00
A number of novelty races will be arranged for and other amusements to make the day one of pleasure. You will not be disappointed by spending the this holiday in Lafayette.
Lafayette Advertiser 6/15/1895.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of June 17th, 1882:
Fourth of July!!!
As we read in an article posted earlier, the first real "4th of July Celebration" ever held in Lafayette was in 1895. But back in 1882 they were at least "thinking about it."
[First article is from the Alexandria State Central Express.]
4th. of JULY.There will be a grand excursion from this place to Vermilionville or Opelousas (as may be determined) July 4th, 1882. An orator for the day will accompany the excursionists, also the Alexandria Cornet Band. Reduced rates over the Morgan railroad will be allowed all excursionists. - Alexandria State Central Express.
[And from the Lafayette Advertiser.]
If it is decided to come to Vermilionville, our people will do their utmost to help their neighbors of Alexandria to celebrate the old Fourth in the traditional way; speaking for the community we say, - we will be glad to see you, - glad to manifest with you a little patriotism, and revive a pleasant recollection of ante-bellum days.
Lafayette Advertiser 6/17/1882.
4th of July.
The fourth of July will be fittingly celebrated in Lafayette.,
The Ladies Industrial School Association will give a free grand barbecue at Beausejour's.
Every man, woman and child of the whole parish are invited to come and partake of the abundance of good things that will be provided for on that day, which will be made one never to be forgotten in the annals of the parish of Lafayette and to which the coming generations will point with pride and pleasure remembering what their forefathers have done for their intellectual advancement and their prosperity.
There will be orations by speakers of wide renown.
Substantial edibles and refreshments of all kinds will be served free of charge.
Don't bother yourself about bringing a lunch basket as there will be plenty on the grounds, to satisfy everybody.
Music will be furnished and dancing will be indulged in.
Leave apart all the cares and worries of life and let us meet at this grand free barbecue resolved to have a good, jolly old time.
Remember that the ladies are inviting everybody to come and be one of their guests. Lafayette Advertiser 6/24/1899.
From Lafayette Advertiser of June 25th, 1898:
On next Wednesday, June 29, at 7 p.m., a flag raising will take place at the Century Club. The flag was given to the Club by some of the ladies of Lafayette.
The flag raising of the Fourth of July will be in honor of Lieutenant James Moss and of those men who volunteered from this parish. Lafayette Advertiser 6/25/1898.
The 4th, will be a gala day in Lafayette. Much interest is being taken in the coming celebration. Laf. Adv. 6/29/1895.
Every Lafayettean must make a display of his patriotism on July 4th.,, and contribute her mite to the success of the celebration. Laf. Adv. 6/29/1895.
THE GLORIOUS 4th!
Next Wednesday will be July 4th., the date that commemorates the declaration of independence of the American people.
It is an occasion that is suitably observed in almost every city and hamlet in the United States. In our part of the country, St. Martinville is making native preparations on an enlarged scale, as we have been made aware by the posting of bills and posters, to do honor to the event. In Lafayette parish, our lusty little sister town, Broussardville, has heralded to the world the joyful manner in which it proposes to observe this greatest of American fetes, and, to that end, the citizens of the place have arranged to celebrate the day after a fashion that bids fair to divide honors with St. Martinville.
We, of the town of Lafayette, mean to commemorate "the great and glorious 4th" is a less eventful way, but because there is no unfurling of bunting with us, nor boom of cannon, we must not be judged as lacking patriotism. It is our native modesty and the deep reverence we feel for the time honored custom in this community of never making any outward display of the magniludinous conceptions that have, from time immemorial, illuminated our minds with brightest anticipations never to be realized, that forbids us from being other than silent lookerons again, in the year of our Lord 1894. And if there be any virtue in sacredly clinging to images of the past, we certainly deserve recognition from the world for our extreme faithfulness in that direction.
We do not believe it would be a flagrant violation of the tenets of our people to visit Broussardville on the 4th. instant and enjoy the right interesting attraction the worthy citizens of that little town intend providing for the occasion. A hearty welcome awaits all visitors. Lafayette Advertiser 6/30/1894.
4th of July BARBECUE.
On next Tuesday the 4th., of July, there will be a barbecue at Beausejour's Park given by the ladies of the Industrial School Association.
An abundance of good things are prepared for the occasion from which all the wants of the inner nature will be supplied.
An invitation is extended to every man, woman and child of the parish to come and partake of the barbecue which will be served free of charge.
As will be seen below, the merchants have agreed to close their stores, thus taking an active part in the celebration of the day.
Music will be furnished and dancing will be indulged in.
We the undersigned merchants and business men pledge ourselves to close our stores on Tuesday July Fourth from 11 a. m to 5 p. m.
T. M. Biossatm, Mouton Bros., Holt & Carter, Orther C. Mouton, First National Bank, F. Demanade, Laf. Clothing House, M. Rosenfield, John O. Mouton, L. Lacoste, P. Krauss, Gus Schmulen, Dr. H. P. Beeler, Moss & Co., J. F. Tanner, Bank of Lafayette, B. Falk, L. F. Rigues, Deffez Bros., Levy Bros.
Lafayette Advertiser 7/1/1899.
BOOMING OF CANNONS.
Flag Raising 5 p. m., at A. M. Martin's Grove!
In Case of Inclement Weather, it will take place at the Court House Square.
A Fireman's Parade in Full Uniform.
United Confederate Veteran's in Formation.
Patriotic Cantata Will Be Sung By a Great Number of Children. Lafayette Advertiser 7/2/1898.
PATRIOTISM AND LOVE.
Lafayette, La. June 29, 1898.
My Dear Camelia:
You will doubtless be sorry to hear that I leave today for a country, whence I may never return, I go where the national flag is being assailed, where already the blood of American heroes has anointed a soil accursed by Castillian oppression and Spanish barbarity.
I go where perhaps I will find a grave - in a distant land, and the only thought that saddens my heart is that you will not be there to drop a tear upon the spot where will rest all that is mortal of me. What consolation it would be to me to know that some day you will place a flower upon my grave as a proof of your fidelity.
My dear girl, I regret to leave old Louisiana whose fertile soil yields so many sweet flowers - the sweetest of which is that spotless Camellia - but the fact that I may return some day to pluck that queen of the flowery kingdom and claim her as my own fills my heart with hope and and she brings me to deeds of chivalry and more.
Let us hope the God of war will do kindly by us and that we will come back to our native soil with a proud satisfaction that we have done our duty well.
I will always think of you whether in war or in peace and the only thing I ask of you is to do the same for me and once in a while to drop me a few words.
I will always let you know where to write.
Yours sincerely, O. J. Dugas.
Lafayette Advertiser 7/2/1898.
Fourth of July. - The Fourth was quiet in Lafayette. All public business was suspended and with few exceptions, all of the stores closed half of the day.
Laf. Adv. 7/6/1904.
Lafayette's Fourth of July-1894.
The Fourth of July grand ball, given by the young men of Lafayette was a grand success. The Grand March struck up at 9 o'clock p. m., sharp, was led by Mr. Ed. McBride and Miss Lydia McDaniels. Amongst the visitors were Misses May Pefferkorn and Augustine Desbres, of Opelousas, and many others. Amongst the ladies in Lafayette were, Misses Ida Pefferkorn, Clara Martin, A. Richard, I. McDaniel, Mamie Lisbony, Eunice Pefferkorn, Daisy Mouton, T. Eves, Miss Bauzin and Mrs. Parker. Amongst the gentlemen were Messrs. C. E. Harnish, Chairman L. Lacoste, Raoul Pellerin, A. Voorhies, F. Guidry, Jos. Lisbony, Ed. Prudhomme, C. T. Bienvenu, C. Olivier, W. E. Bowen, A. Comus, T. Eves, H. L. Fontenot, A. Theall and A. J. McBride.
The evening was a brilliant one, the music was furnished by Mr. Baudier, Lafayette's famous pianist, who played Mr. H. Van der Cruyssen's Coxy march.
Boys, come together and you will have the grandest ball ever given in Lafayette for this coming fall.
A. DANCER.
Lafayette Advertiser 7/7/1894.
Lafayette's 4th of July Celebration of 1899.
The celebration of the Fourth of July in Lafayette, this year, will ever be remembered as a memorable occasion.
The day was ushered in by the regular noise of the small boys and the residences were gayly decorated with the Stars and Stripes.
However the Fourth was fittingly celebrated at Beausejour's Park, where a large crowd of about 2,500 people were assembled to hear the speaking about the Industrial School and to partake of the abundant barbeque which had been provided by the ladies of Industrial School Association. And a jolly and enthusiastic crowd it was in favor of the school.
Lafayette Advertiser 7/8/1899.
Lafayette's First 4th of July Celebration.
Preparations for the Fourth of July celebration in Lafayette are progressing nicely and without a single hitch in the proceedings. It is the one aim of the committees to get the people to come to Lafayette and to entertain them after they have come. At the meeting of the committees Monday night it was decided not to have any fire works at night, but to take the money intended for fireworks and expend it in preparing the grounds for the comfort of the people. The speaking and baby show will be held in the opera house in the forenoon and the races tournament, etc., in the afternoon. The program will end with a grand ball at Falk's opera house at night, at which the Breaux Bridge string band will furnish the music.
For the baby show there will be eight gold medals given as prizes in the following classes:
Prettiest baby, one day to six months old.
Finest baby, one day to six months old.
Prettiest baby, six months to one year.
Finest baby, six months to one year old.
Prettiest baby, one year to two years old.
Finest baby, one year to two years old.
Brightest and smartest baby, one to two years old,
Brightest and smartest baby two to three years old.
Finest and largest baby, two or three years old.
Mothers must give the correct age of children. One stranger to select three strangers as judges.
There will be three bicycle races as follows:
First race, one-half mile. $12.00 and a gold medal, 2nd prize a handsome silver medal.
Second race, one mile, 1st prize $14.00 and a gold medal, 2nd. prize handsome silver medal.
Horse races. One mile, best two in three heats. Winner $15.00; second $5.00.
Mile race. Winner $10.00
A number of novelty races will be arranged for and other amusements to make the day one of pleasure. You will not be disappointed by spending the this holiday in Lafayette.
Lafayette Advertiser 6/15/1895.
Fourth of July!!!
As posted in an earlier "Under the Big Oak," the first real "4th of July Celebration" ever held in Lafayette was in 1895. But back in 1882 they were at least "thinking about it."
[First article is from the Alexandria State Central Express.]
4th. of JULY.There will be a grand excursion from this place to Vermilionville or Opelousas (as may be determined) July 4th, 1882. An orator for the day will accompany the excursionists, also the Alexandria Cornet Band. Reduced rates over the Morgan railroad will be allowed all excursionists. - Alexandria State Central Express.
[And from the Lafayette Advertiser.]
If it is decided to come to Vermilionville, our people will do their utmost to help their neighbors of Alexandria to celebrate the old Fourth in the traditional way; speaking for the community we say, - we will be glad to see you, - glad to manifest with you a little patriotism, and revive a pleasant recollection of ante-bellum days.
Lafayette Advertiser 6/17/1882.
No comments:
Post a Comment