Nothing much changes for Fourth of July celebrations. Back in 1909, a major event in Orange was being planned and Daily Leader newspaper had a bold headline reading “BARBECUING MEAT.”
“Meats are today being barbecued, ample for an immense throng, and will be well browned, juicy and well seasoned for noon tomorrow,” the paper reported.
The holiday was being celebrated on Friday July 2 because the Fourth was on Sunday, and in those days, Sundays were a day of church and rest.
The event included special seats erected to see the events, which would include speeches. In the days before radio, TV and YouTube, oratories were a popular entertainment.
“Judge Ball will make a speech. He may start out with the usual apology that he was not expecting to make a speech, that he is unprepared, etc., but don’t you believe it,” the paper wrote. “His speech is all ready, was written 133 years ago and is a good one, for among its authors are such well known men of the times as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.”
The entertainment included the “balloon man.” The paper reported a committee was going to meet the balloon man at the train station, but there was no explanation of what the balloon man did.
Orange would have no problem getting people from all over the area to attend. F.H. Farwell, assistant general manager of the Lutcher and Moore Lumber Company, was donating the use of the tugboat Chief to transport people along the river for free. The tug was expected to bring 200 people on excursions from Field, Stark, Baylor and other parts on the river. (Apparently the Sabine River had a community named Baylor.)
The city didn’t have a social media coordinator in those days, but a newspaper man, A.R. Burns, did the publicity. He took a trip from Orange “up the country” on the KCS railway to spread the word about the big event. He reported back that “people were impressed with Orange and interested in the town’s movement for deep water in Sabine Lake.”
Stores in downtown decorated to show national colors on store fronts and in windows.
A hundred and eight years later, expansive stores will set up displays making designs from out of cases of soft drinks or beer. Those ideas aren’t news.
Back in 1909, P.B. Curry & Sons grocers had an “artistic design of a flag.” The stripes were formed with red and white beans. Red cans of chili formed the staff and the 46 blue stars were made from cans of bluing (a laundry aid).
Jewelry Joe Lucas advertised that people could “come and rest under the electric fan and buy a souvenir to take home.” He also offered the chance to “try new pieces on the phonograph.”
The celebration was a success. Maybe it wiped out the tragedy of Fourth of July 1905. That is the date given for a “sham battle” between the Orange Rifles and a Jasper military reenactment group.
The event was held at Anderson Park at Cypress Avenue and 12th Street. The Jasper group brought a Union cannon from the Civil War. The cannon misfired and blew off the arm of a young man from Jasper.
The Leader reported in 1942 the story from 80-year-old Mrs. Addie Hart, the widow of County Judge John T. Hart. She said the captain of the Jasper was so distraught about the accident that he left the cannon behind in Orange.
The wooden wheels eventually rotted off at the park. The cannon was moved to the courthouse lawn, where it still stands today.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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