USA > California > Los Angeles County > An historical sketch of Los Angeles county, California. From the Spanish occupancy, by the founding of the mission San Gabriel Archangel, September 8, 1771, to July 4, 1876 > Part 13
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On Spring street there were many notable displays. All the stores on Temple Block were gay with bunting, and the west front of the Court House was decorated with taste. From Court street to First the buildings were more or less handsomely trimmed, and the Mayor's office was a special point of admiration. On the opposite side of the street, Severance & Butler led off with a fine display of flags tastefully arranged; and the Star and Her- ald offices were gaudy with national colors. Post-Office Block, from balcony to sidewalk, was lavishly decorated, and from thence down to First there was no lack of tastefully arranged bunting for the eye to rest upon. Below First street, on both sides of Spring, a great number of private houses were gay with decorations, and so with the houses on Fort street and the intersecting thoroughfares.
Native and foreign born citizens vied with each other to make the day remarkable, and the rising generation of Los Angeles received a lesson in love of country which will last them through their lives. The observance ef the day among business houses was not confined to Main street. Messrs. Mendel Meyer, Laventhal, M. W. Childs, Barrows, Furry & Co., S. C. Foy, the L. A. Social Club, Newmark & Co., Foster, Howard & Co., the Nor- tons, the National Guard Armory, Lips, Craigue & Co., Hellman, Haas & Co., the White House, Page, Gravel & Co., and many others did their share to- wards keeping up appearances.
The Southern Pacific Railroad Company and its agents and employees did the lionors of the day very completely. The depot was handsomely deco- rated and the trains were rigged out in a holiday suit. The Wilmington train came thundering in with three or four hundred passengers, and the pas- senger cars and engine most beautifully adorned with flags and garlands of flowers. The engine of the Anaheim train was a marvel of decorative art and looked a perfect beauty. The Colton train joined in the general spirit of the day.
The L. A. & I. road was not behind in its observances. The depot was in gala attire, and the trains handsomely decked with patriotic colors.
PUBLIC DECORATIONS AND PROCESSION.
The prominent feature is the noble triple arch which spans Main street. The main span is thirty feet wide and thirty feet high; the side spans are
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
each seventeen feet wide and twenty feet high. The centre and side col- umns are four feet square and each about eight feet higher than the centre: of the arches. Over the keystone of the centre arch is a fine statue of Colum- bia; on the two main columns respectivly are the statues of Washington, the- first President, and Grant, the present occupant of that exalted position. On the eastern column is a figure of one of "the boys in blue;" on the Western,. the statue of one of "the old Continentals." Over the centre of each of the. side arches is a fine figure of the American eagle. Under the statue of Co- lumbia, on each side is the California coat of arms, and on each side of the arches are the legends, "1776. One hundred years ago. 1876." Flags and shields, the latter inscribed with the names of the States and of revolutionary heroes, are disposed in well ordered series on the columns, and these are in turn handsomely entwined with evergreen garlands. The arch was the sub- ject of universal compliments. In addition to the above, Messrs. Lehman & Co. stretched a large number of lines adorned with wreaths, flags and stream- ers across the principal streets.
The 38's Engine Company No. 1 set themselves to work regardless of expense, to make the whereabouts of their place of business known. They. erected a splendid triple arch in front of their house on Spring street, on the keystone of the frame of which is a figure of a fireman in full dress with trumpet in hand. Underneath is a life size portrait of Washington surround -. ed with a wreath of laurel. The legends, "The Centennial" and "Thirty- Eight Fire Company," and any number of flags and shields bearing familiar historical names adorn this fine structure, which is a noble tribute to the public spirit of the boys of the 38's.
Confidence Engine Company No. 2 erected a fine bower of arches in front of their building on Main ftreet, which is a gem in its way. Across the street they stretched a line of evergreens and wreaths, from which de- pends a splendid edition of "old glory" about forty feet long and of propor- tionate width. Although the two companies desire that their efforts should be ranked among the public decorations, the entire expense has been borne by them individually.
The Procession.
There were crowds of people coming into the city by car and carriage, buggy and wagon. They were coming on horseback and a-foot, and they continued to come. There were representatives by the score from all parts of the county: Tustin City, Richland, Anaheim, Wilmington, Santa Monica, San Fernando, Spadra-from all the four quarters of the compass, they came' and saw, rejoiced with us, hurrahed with us, were made welcome with us, and we trust and believe went home well pleased with us. The streets were crowded at an early hour. Every window along the line of march was crowded, every balcony had its throng of eager lookers on. There never was such a crowd in the city before. With one or two exceptions everybody was on good behavior. At an early hour the constituent part of the differ- ent divisions were seen hurrying to their places of rendezvous, and at the ap -- pointed hour the long line was set in motion and the march commenced. The head of the column reached the corner of Temple street, and it was over thirty minutes in passing that point. The column was led by Major H. M. Mitchell, Grand Marshal, assisted by his aids Capt. H. M. Smith, of Glassell, Chapman & Smiths; Major E. M. Ross; J. A. Graves, Esq., of Brunson,. Eastman & Graves; and J. H. Howard, Esq., of San Gabriel.
Then came the Opera House Band, followed by the officers of the 1st Division, Col. Jolin F. Godfrey, Marshal; Messrs. M. S. Severance, A. G .... Walker, Wm. H. Stevens, and E. Germain, aids. They were followed by the Los Angeles Guard, Capt. Bailey commanding,and the Los Angeles Rifleros, Capt. Pantalean commanding. Next came the magnificent car appropriated to the Goddess of Liberty, who was personated in a very queenly manner by Miss Carrie Cohn. She was attended by Miss Lulu Lehman, representing Peace, and Miss Ally Carpenter, representing Plenty.
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VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
The Veterans of the Mexican. War turned out strong, the following offi- cers and members appearing in the procession : Gen. Geo. Stoneman, Presi- dent; Peter Thompson, Wm. Todd, Vice-Presidents ; J. D. Dunlap, Secretary ; G. W. Whitehorn, Treasurer ; Capt. Wm. Turner, Marshal; Thomas B.Wade, Assistant Marshal; Vincent Stenghter, W. B. Dunne, G. W. Whitehorn, R. T. Johnson, Trustees; J. V. Moore, T. J. Beebe. J. S. Griffin, H. W. Osborn, M. Halpin, W. C. Hughes, Jas. Thompson, J. O'Sullivan, A. W. Timms, M. Surrott, J. Knott, H. C. Millers, G. F. Wilson, J. A. Talbot, L. C. Goodwin, D. W. Alexander, Henry Hancock, S. C. Foster, C. Chaney, T. J. Ash, W. O. Baxter, J. R. W. Hand, E. Forbush, Job Roach, John Schumacher, J. P. Ryan, J. B. Caywood, J. Rossmore, Geo. Smith.
Next in order came the French Benevolent Society. A very beautiful feature of the splendid display made by our patriotic French fellow citizens was a triumphal chariot, elegantly adorned, in which were seated three young ladies, Miss Mary Lache, Miss Blanche Crowley and Miss Leonie Du- puytren. They represented the Goddess of Liberty, the second France and the third America. Their costumes were elegant and appropriate, and they constituted a very charming trio.
Carriages with the President of the Day, Orator, Poet, Chaplain and invi- ted guests followed, and then came the Marshal of the Second Division, Mr. Otto Von Ploennies, with his staff, consisting of Messrs. Hugo Done, F. Adam and F. Wolfhart.
The 38's followed. There were fifty men on the ropes and they looked splendidly. The Pioneers wore handsome blue caps and hats. The uniform of the 38's is a red shirt with blue hats. The hose carriage was covered with a blue canopy under which reclined Master George Kuhrts in uniform, as a representative of a hoseman. The steamer, fairly gleaming with a wealth of floral decorations, followed, drawn by six fine horses.
The hook and ladder truck, also very tastefully decorated, presented & very fine appearance, drawn by fifteen men in uniform.
Confidence Engine, No. 2, followed, drawn by six horses, richly compar- isoned in red, white and blue housings. A finely decorated canopy sur- mounted the splendidly trimmed steamer, in which Miss Emily Smith sat, personating America. Her costume was very rich and appropriate. The Pioneers of No. 2 wore red capes and black hats. The company uniform is blue shirt with silver facings, and a black hat. The boys made a grand ap- pearance.
A triumphal car upon which Confidence Engine Company seemed to have bestowed great pains, followed. It was covered by an ornamental can- opy beneath which sat Miss Hattie Furman, representing Columbia, and Miss Mamie Furman personating Uncle Sam; Henry Dockweiler, jr., an ex- empt fireman reclining on a coil of hose. At one corner of the canopy stood Master John Foster in the guise of "Mose," plug hat and all, at another, Master Harry Fanning as "Young Continental," in appropriate costume, at another, Master Willie Gard as the representative of the 38's, and at the oth- er, Master Isadore Dockweiler as one of the Confidence boys. Mrs. Gard and Miss Hattie Furman are entitled to credit for the excellent taste dis- played in the adornment of this beautiful car.
Wilmington hook and ladder truck followed and made a manly feature in the procession. The fire laddies may well be proud of their part in the grand procession.
The Junta Patriotica de Juarez and Turner rifles followed, making a very fine display. A number of carriages containing the Directors of the Junta Patriotica and private citizens followed, and the Third Division came in sight. This was led by Marshal Eugene Meyer and his aids, Messrs. James B. Lankershim, Brice MeLellan, Aaron Smith and M. Clemente. This Division consisted of the following orders : Knights of Pythias, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Irish Literary Society, and Irish Temperance Society. The general effect of this Division was excellent. The various orders turned out
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in force and presented a fine appearance. A pleasing feature of this Divis- ion was a car containing thirteen young Misses representing the thirteen original colonies.
The Fourth Division, Mr. F. Guirado and staff, now wheeled into line. The leading feature was the car of state, containing thirty-eight young ladies representing the States of the Union. The car was a triumph of decorative art and was hailed with cheers all along the line. The Butchers' Association, making a fine display, followed, and the inevitable forty-niners on their mules attracting their full share of attention, and half a dozen representa- tives of the noble red man of the forest, who, with their lay figure of Capt. Jack of the Modocs, contributed not a little to the hilarity of the occasion. Another handsome car containing a lad and girl in Continental times cos- tumes, followed. It was occupied by Master Dan Richie as General George Washington, and Miss Mary Brown as Martha Washington. They attracted their full share of attention. The long line of trades display presented itself, preceded by a handsomely decorated wagon representing the Philadelphia Brewery.
Page & Gravel followed with an immense van in which a dozen or more artisans were plying the different branches of wagon making and black- smithing. Page & Gravel never do anything by halves, and they made the most of their opportunity. The van was surmounted by a handsome picture representing Washington and other Revolutionary worthies welding the links of the Union chain. On each side ol the wagon was this legend: "Hc who encourages home industry is a public henefactor. Mechanics-the foundation of civilization and progress. The American mechanic-the strength of the Union, the symbol of patriotism and the bone and sinew of the nation."
Next the Asbestine Stone Company with specimens of their excellent handiwork.
Then Cameron's display, comprising fish, flesh and fowl, and on the whole, unique and amusing-
Then a wagon with specimens of B. Aphodl's cooperage, with an im- mense wine vat marked "A. Pelanconi, wine dealer."
Then a fine display of Halliday's standard windmills.
Next a wagon from the Grange store laden with all sorts of toothsome del- icacies. Then a laundry wagon driven by a lady, whose name we did not learn. Next came a fine display by the Adams Windmill Company. Then a wagon from Coulter & Harper's hardware store containing a little of every thing in the housekeeping line from a stove to a nutmeg grater. Next came Trapp's fruit wagon with the motto, "Home Produce;" a good idea. Then Reinert's cooperage made a fine display with the legend, "Show us a leak in the Union and we will tighten it." WV. M. Stoddard followed with a long line of wagons, carryalls and buggies. Then the Los Angeles Soap Compa- ny with specimens of their handiwork. Dotter & Bradley followed with a very handsome canopied wagon which contained a number of elegant speci- inens of their own manufacture of furniture. J. T. Woodward & Co., of the Los Angeles Broom Factory, made a very fine display of broom ware, all of which is manufactured in this city. The Centennial broom was a feature of the display. Next the New York Brewery, then the Los Angeles Steam Coffee Factory, and after them the Sewing Machine Companies. A long line of citizens on horseback.and in carriages followed, and the most mag- nificent pageant that Los Angeles has ever witnessed came to an end as far as the passing of the procession was concerned. The names of the young ladies who assisted in the programme were:
Jennie Greenbaum, Lulu Lehman, Lulu Glassell, Rebecca Laventhal, Emma Newbauer, Hattie Newbaur, Hannah Cohen, Bertha Hellman, Alice Weil, Regina Prager, Lolita Dunne, Jennie Happ, Mary Goode, Florita Spiker, Matilda Johannsen, Laura Meyer, Hannah Laventhal, Lizzie Spencer, Fannie Hannah, Austina Mesmer, Ida Warren, Ella Warren, Emma Edwards, Anna Alexander, Johanna Williams, Sybel Foster, Francis Alexander, Lucy Williams, Jennie Stoddard, Therasa Heinsch, Rowena Scott, Aliza Anderson, Lizzie Weinsheank, Laura Hicks, Rose Raphael, Minnie Raphael, Fanny
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Gerson, Ella Norton, Ceila Wilson, Mary Belle Scott, Mattie Cohen, Lizzie Chick, Lizzie Truman, Ella Seckler, Ally Carpenter, Ella Eaton, Louisa Lampke, Mary Morey, Stella Binford, Fanny Secbold, Milly Northal, Fannic Wiubigler, Lilian Thatcher, Frances Karney, Emily McCarty, Minnie Nord- . holt, Delia O'Melveny, Monte Robarts, Julia Brair, Emily Fleishman, Ledia Smith, Bella Sepulveda, Nellie Smith, Nellie Bellow, Flora McPherson, Rose Kalisher, Kate Peeland, Fannie Richard, Maggie Davis, Anna Tulley, Emma Brain, Adela Brain, May L. Cumby, Lillie Clapp, Lulu Manor, Lelia Walters, Martha Heinch, Johanna Roeder, Sophia Magg, Conception Valdez.
The line of march, as laid down in the Programme, having been com- pleted, the procession broke ranks at the Round House, and the Literary Exercises of the Day took place. Seats were prepared for about fifteen hun- dred people and they were all occupied, and hundreds listened throughout standing.
LITERARY EXERCISES.
After Hail Columbia by the band, General P. Banning, the President of the Day, introduced the Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Packard, who delivered a brief but impressive and appropriate prayer.
General Banning then delivered a short address replete with patriotic sentiments.
The hymn America was then sung by gentlemen from the different church choirs of the city.
Professor Thomas A. Saxon then read the Declaration of Independence, the performance of which is a somewhat ungracious task. His fine elocu- tionary powers were brought out.
The choir then sang Red, White and Blue,
The Poet of the Day, Mr. James J. Ayers, was then introduced to the audience, and he delivered the following
Centennial Poem.
Awake, my Muse! send forth thy latent fire, To sing a pæan to our country's name- Let lofty thoughts thy swelling notes inspire, And flowing verse exalt her matchless fame.
Time, in his ceaseless march, has ushered in The year Centennial of our Nation's life;
And here, with bounding hopes, we now begin To grapple with the new-born cycle's strife.
The record of an hundred years is made ; And, though with faults and errors it may teen,
Before its dazzling glories they will fade, As clouds disperse before Aurora's beam.
But, if the cycle past be fraught with blame, A mirror let it serve the cycle new,
And all the errors circled in its frame Monitions stand of evils to eschew.
E'en as where wrecks on sunken rocks are cast, Show watchful pilots courses safe to trace,
So we, by holding still in view the past, By Public Good may Public Ill replace.
One hundred years, summed in a nation's life, Form but the childhood term-the tender age-
When with disease and heedless error rife,
The COMING MAN gropes through his infant stage.
Passed are all these; in manhood's stalwart pride, We sally forth with Destiny to cope, And, daring, threatening winds and adverse tide, Launch on the world a new career of hope.
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That hope is Freedom's here, and everywhere On this broad earth, where man, down trod, Sends up to Heaven a supplicating prayer To shield him from the Tyrant's ruthless rod.
To us, entrusted by Almighty hand, The Ark of Freedom, which our fathers bore In safety from the dread Oppressor's land,
And planted on Columbia's Western shore-
To us is given the charge to guard it well; And if from Public Vice the danger come,
Insidious though it be, and, growing, swell With giant power, as erst in olden Rome,
Yet we will grapple with the monster's might -- Place Virtue on our shields, and, with the spear Of Truth, firm set in place, bend to the fight, And crush it under hoof, 'mid high career.
Freedom is ours in trust-oh, priceless trust !- To guard with hearts that beat the Godward side-
With souls that feel the impulse of the Just, And, rising, swell to Honor's manly pride!
In every votary's breast she rears a shrine, Where inward glows her quenchless vestal flamc, Enthroned she dwells in every patriot mind, And blazons forth from fields of deathless fame.
Out from thy pregnant womb, oh, Time! bring forth Men equal to our country's future needs,
With faces skyward, hearts of purest worth, And iron nerves strung to the bravest deeds.
With these, we'll bid defiance to the woes That Fate may launch against our hallowed land-
Unyielding breasts will brave our open foes, And Honor's foot on prostrate Baseness stand.
The band then played Yankee Doodle, after which Hon. James G. East- man, the Orator of the Day, was introduced.
The Oration.
Mr. President and Fellow Citizens :--
As the sceptre was passing from the hands of the great Aztec monarch, it was given him to see the future of this continent. The light of heaven's prophecy shone upon him, and, melting the shackles of superstition, enabled him, through the vista of years, to see such a government as ours. He said : "The long, long eycles pass away ; an age of battles intervenes, and, lo! there is a government whose motto is, 'Freedom and God!' Those words are dark to my understanding, but pass them down from generation to generation as a sacred tradition; for some time, with this motto, the people of this conti- nent will take their place among the deathless nations of the earth."
We are to-day celebrating the one-hundredth anniversary of the realiza- ion of Montezuma's prophecy. I congratulate you upon its advent; the aus- picious omens which greeted its coming and welcome its presence.
It is well, in such an age of secular toil and struggle, that each year should bring one day when the din of the marts is hushed; when the jostle and strife of commerce cease; when the anvil is silent and the workshop dumb; when the money changers desert the temple and the miser's ears lis- ten to a music sweeter than the music of his worshipped gold; when secta- rian strife and partisan bickerings retire shame-faced before the presence of that broader patriotism, that feeling of universal brotherhood, which fills every American heart and mind with the thoughts of our country. It is well
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that there comes one day when the student and the laborer, the banker and the pauper, losing sight of all distinctions of fortune and chance, can meet on common ground and, in the full enjoyment of a common sovereignty, walk hand in hand-proud, exultant, thoughtful, admiring-through these galleries of civil greatness; when we may own together the spell of one hour of our history upon us all; when we may rise into the sphere of a higher life in the contemplation of a government founded upon equality, anchored in the patriotism of all its citizens, aiming at the greatest good for all, and in grateful homage bow before the throne Divine, and mingle forty million voices in one common prayer that Columbia may remain the favored child of Heaven, and that peace be within her gates and joy within her palaces forever.
While, since the earliest governmental organization, all nations have had their festal hours and days of rejoicing; yet, sir, it seems to me, no peo- ple in the commemoration of an event were ever surrounded by circum- stances of such a universal character to contribute to their just and proper exultation as the American people this day. It is the world's jubilee! Wherever civilization has written the record of its advancement, wherever love of freedom has warmed a human heart, the dawning of this sacred an- niversary is greeted with feelings of universal joy and gratitude.
In every port and in every civilized city ; beneath the shadow of St. Pe- ter's and the Brahmin temple ; over the sepulchres at Athens, and the palace at Yeddo, to-day the sacred emblem of our nationality, that ensign of free- dom, that type of human progress, that glorious tri-colored banner,
"Whose crimson by courage was pictured, Whose white is from purity true,
O'er which love spread a halo of beauty In a star-lighted heaven of blue,"
Waves in triumphant grandeur, the joy, the pride, the protection of the civil- ized world.
Within the sound of the old bell, beneath the shadow of the old hall where one hundred years ago a nation was born, are assembled to-day repre- sentatives from all the world to behold our offerings to its history. And what do we give one hundred years of intellectual freedom; a century of equal rights ?
And, sir, when I contemplate the grandeur of this anniversary-that each returning year for a century it has been the occasion for the efforts of our most learned, wise and eloquent; that the theme itself is nothing less than universal liberty ; that the principles giving value to the event we commemo- rate gave new life to the world, a new impetus to human progress; and that the rejoicing over their general recognition has swelled into a mighty chorus, chanted In every clime -- I feel a delicacy in attempting to say aught which shall be appropriate. I feel the spell of an unbound grandeur, which comes with the day, rides upon the sunlight, sparkles in the rippling wave, paints its presence in a beauteous picture on the very brow of nature, and which, though felt by all, by none can be described. It makes silence eloquent.
The reverberating tones of the bell which one hundred years ago to-day proclaimed the birth of a new nation-the realization of a hope which led the children of the Lord from Egypt-gave Thermopyla to history, and free- dom to mankind, shall resound through the corriders of time when the land- marks of history shall have passed away.
When the mournful zephyrs, passing the plain where Marathon once stood, shall find no mound to kiss; when the arch of Titus shall have been ob- literated; the Collosseum crumbled into antique dust; the greatness of Athens degenerated into dim tradition; Alexander, Cæsar and Napoleon for- gotten ; the memories of Independence Hall shall still bloom in imperisha- blc freshness.
In the wreck of matter, two events shall stand forth in immortal youth : the crucifixion and the American Declaration; the birth of the doctrine of universal love, and universal liberty.
But, sir, while the theme is so comprehensive that no human mind can grasp its fullness, or picture its glories, there is yet a fitness and wisdom in
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our meeting and communing. We cannot but be benefitted by a contempla- tion of the greatness of the inauguration of which this day commemorates, and a thoughtful resume of the duties which devolve upon us as citizens of a land so signally favored. It will not prove unprofitable to us to pause, if not once a year, at least once in a century, and thoughtfully review the track o'er which American greatness has trod, the school in which it has been educa- ted, the crucible in which it has been sublimated.
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