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The
biggest crowd of people ever seen at Paris was here last
Saturday. The roads were muddy, the weather was hot and the
clouds were threatening, but the spirit of independence and a
desire to celebrate had taken possession of old and young and
they turned out in force. They came early and stayed late. From
6 o’clock in the morning on up till both trains arrived in the
evening every road and lane leading in to Paris was a
struggling, hustling mass of humanity, horses and vehicles. At
times Main street for two blocks would be completely choked with
wagons, some trying to get one way and some another, until it
required the combined efforts of the marshals of the day to open
up a passway. Before the parade was ready to start all the
wagons and teams were taken from the line of march, so that
there was free passage for the procession and plenty of room for
the people. It was then that a look down Main street was a sight
worth seeing. From every flag staff the stars and stripes
floated in all their pride and beauty, while every awning, post
and window was all but hidden by the lavish decorations of
flags, bunting and gay streamers. As far as the eye could see
both sides of the street was surging mass of men, women and
children. Bands were playing, fifes were filling the air with
martial music, and the roll of drums drilled patriotic hearts
with proud memories of the glorious deeds of Revolutionary
sires.
Promptly
at 10:30 the procession formed and took up the line of march.
Grand marshal Jeff Bridgeford on his famous stallion, Indian
Boy, led the way. Next came a squad of mounted Indians gaudily
painted and bedecked in the panoplies of war as they appeared
when as masters of the forest they sallied forth to battle. Then
came the Santa Maria, a perfect model of the quaint old vessel
in which Columbus discovered the Western World. She was under
full sail, handsomely rigged and gaily decorated. She was in
command of Bill Ownby, as Columbus, dressed in the splendid
dress of the old Spanish Cavaliers. Following this were the old
settlers in carriages, and then the famous Barney Band, whose
martial music has become indispensable in all North Missouri
celebrations.
Harry
Blakey rode a splendid charger and represented George
Washington as he appeared in the brilliant and courtly costume
of Colonial days. Next came the ex-Confederate veterans of the
county, as full of enthusiasm as though they had never known
the time when the Union poured shot and shell into their ranks
in far off Dixie. They were followed by a perfect
representation of Uncle Sam by Barney Farthing. Then came the
Goddess of Liberty, one of the prettiest sights we ever saw. A
large float, bedecked in the national colors, formed a base
from which the Goddess, Miss Fannie Broughton, towered in all
the glory of a perfect figure and all the beauty of a typical
Missouri girl. At her feet crouched an eagle with outstretched
wings. In one hand she clutched a silken flag while in the
other she held aloft a silver globe. A prettier sight was
never seen. Following this was a sight that made everybody
cheer. It was the 45 young ladies mounted on white horses,
representing the states. All were handsome, nicely dressed and
skillful riders. Next came Miss Bessie Howell beautifully
dressed in white representing Anderson Blanton’s jewelry
store. Her costume was covered with flashing jewels and gems,
and presented a beautiful appearance. Next was a float filled
with a half hundred handsome young girls. The next float
contained a chorus of singers dressed in plantation costume
and lustily singing plantation songs. Smith & Clapper
followed with a blacksmith shop on wheels. Anvils were
ringing, the forge was burning, and a horse was being shod. It
was a great hit. The 16 to 1 question was illustrated by a 325
pound negro on a big draft stallion riding beside a little
dried-up darkey on a donkey, and raised a big laugh. Next was
an old Mississippi negro orchestra that got such a fine twist
on “The Gal I Left Behind Me” that if somebody had called
”swing yer pardners,” the whole crowd would have joined in
an old time hoedown. Gilmore’s Band brought up the rear.
Their ridiculous costumes and Chinese music were too funny to
talk about. Kuhn and the Racket store each had a man in the
parade with a banner advertising the bargains they offer. A
traveling show that happened along joined its parade of
monkeys, Shetland ponies, goats, clown and trained dogs with
the procession. Altogether it was the grandest and most unique
parade of the kind ever seen in the state.
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