Florence July 4 celebration 100 years ago

One hundred years ago, the July 5, 1912, edition of The West, a predecessor to the Siuslaw News, reported the following:



NORTH FORK

FOURTH OF JULY

CELEBRATION

The patriotic people of the North Fork arranged a fine celebration this year in honor of Independence day. The elements were propitious and though the day was rather cloudy, no rain fell except a light mist toward evening.

An old time picnic was held in Haring’s grove and thither the people to the number of several hundred wended their way, coming from all parts of the North Fork, Florence, Glenada, Acme, Mapleton, Heceta and Mercer Lake.

C. Buchanan was president of the day; Miss Lillie Fosback was Goddess of Liberty, and Austin Moody represented Uncle Sam.

The program commenced about ten o’clock and consisted of music recitations, drills, pantomine and addresses. All were well rendered and interesting, the drills and pantomine being especially well pleasing to the audience.

Mrs. Clara Haring, the oldest white inhabitant of the North Fork, gave an interesting account of the first celebration held there thirty-three years ago when there were only twelve white persons residing on that stream and seven of these attended the celebration. (Nearly that many hundreds were present at the exercises this year.) She brought in a number of comparisons showing some of the differences in conditions then and now.

Rev. B. H. Baker gave an address showing what certain days mean to different nations and why we should expect the descendants of those who fought the revolution to be heroes.

Rev. W. V. Wall was called on for a speech but he thanked the audience and sat down.

For the complete article see the 07-03-2012 issue.



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