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Newspaper
Freeport Journal
Location
Freeport, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jul 09, 1873
Page
4
A sprawling update from Rock Island and nearby towns recounts Fourth of July celebrations, weather, and local affairs. Mentions church building in Lanark, fairs at Mt Carroll, excursions to Rock Island, and police activity after fireworks. Names several visitors and residents, notes rain and crowds, and previews upcoming events and premiums.
A morning storm struck a building near the gas works but caused no damage as the lightning safely reached the ground. Henry County saloon keepers Wooden petitioned the city council for a beer and wine license but the council refused the license and also barred cider sales.
The readable lines report a publisher’s reaction to a subscriber letter about a child’s death after reading the paper. It also notes James R. Hicks plans a climate change trip in August, aiming to improve health after a Hast visit, before heading west.
Thursday last featured Capt. Shas O Brearley an able lawyer now a special solicitor in the Attorney General office Washington DC as a guest of Col J R Harding a college classmate.
A jumble of notables and local tidbits recounts Fourth of July calls in Buena Vista and surrounding towns, misadventures in Oregon, a dramatic steer encounter injuring J. Welchan, and heavy rain complicating J. M. Bailey’s roof repair. Citizen improvements near Freeport proceed as B. bankrolls the project.
Services held in the lecture room as the First M. E. church undergoes repairs. Refurbishment includes carpeting the church, raising aisles, and general improvements. Painters are at work this week, with hopes to avoid additional Sunday services beyond one more Sabbath.
The report notes strangers saying Freeport contains more attractive girls than any other city of similar size in the United States. It suggests that many cities have made similar claims in the past, and forecasts Freeport may change its claim a hundred times in the coming month before backing up the assertion.
Two city arrests for drunkenness marked the Fourth with no gunfire incidents, honoring Mayor Krohn’s order. Hon. H. Rurchard spoke to a large Jo Daviess county crowd at Benton's Mound, followed by Hon. H. Townsend. A Zion TE R ladies' excursion to Rock Island with rail plans and low fares is in preparation, with bills soon distributed.
A Firat Me BK church sosocial dinner and cake event will be held for residents to raise money for carpeting and repairs. Proceeds will support church work as crews move ahead. Also noted is a local theft incident and a death in New York, with community sympathy offered.
Henry Weishars boy was driving a buggy when the horse frightened by a locomotive bolted along Bridge Street, throwing the boy out and sending the buggy along the street. The horse ran on toward Galena Street but caused no serious injuries. Earlier that Monday there was a separate runaway on Galena Street with no damage. The Fourth of July gathering at Mr. W. J. Snyder’s residence featured croquet and a bountiful table, with guests arriving from four o'clock and leaving around ten.
An account notes a guest being named special police for a Wednesday sociable and receiving a commission star to ensure order. The author reports perfect conduct, then humorously offers to relinquish the badge to the rightful owner if found, while hinting the location of the star is not on several streets. Rev W D Best, son of Joseph Best, preached a sermon at Embury M F church on Sabbath night.
Crowds exceeding four thousand gathered at Cedarville’s Antelius Grove for the Grangers of Stephenson County to celebrate Independence Day with a farm declaration, speeches by Judge Hinds and Majory C Shriner, and a day of music, races, and a well attended ball. The event showcased unity and intent to push farmer friendly policies despite poor weather and featured readings, a poem, and multiple brief talks with strong audience response. The day included a horse race, a baseball game, and mention of Geo P Rowell’s 1873 American Newspaper Directory for advertisers and publishers.
Seniority in Masonry is contested by claimants in several states. Two New York members trace back to 1824, A.M. January of Marysville Ky. claims initiation in 1815, and J. M. Morton joined in 1816. W. M. Dougherty of Knightstown Ind. joined in 1817. The oldest is J. S. French, living in Ohio County Ind., who united in 1810 in New York City.
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