(Look Back with Bob Enoch - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

GLORIOUS FOR A FACT

Remarkably Beautiful Fourth of July Weather.

The weather behaved itself like a patriot yesterday and should have a vote of thanks. It was indeed a ga-lorious Fourth of July even if one had nothing to do but to sit still and enjoy the fresh and wholesome atmosphere. The dampness of the early morning soon disappeared before patriotic old Sol, who proved himself a worthy American citizen. The people of Parkersburg enjoyed themselves as they pleased. There were picnics at the Island, at the City Park, at Howe’s Grove and elsewhere, and various other “doings,” including the burning of an immense amount of powder in firecrackers and other ways.

In Town. — A number of young ladies and gentlemen went up to Mr. J.N. Camden, Jr.’s residence on Prospect Hill [Quincy Hill] last night and illuminated the heavens with fireworks of various beautiful designs. The party returned on the streetcar about eleven o’clock.

The day was a delightful one for driving, and it was enjoyed in that way by a good many people, most of the carriages and buggies, both private and livery, being out. Some of the parties drove to Marietta and others to points in the country.

At Howe’s Grove. — About one hundred and fifty members of the M.E. Sunday school went down to Howe’s Grove on the Maggie Paden at 10 o’clock and returned at half past six. That grove is a delightful place for an outing and the picnickers found it so yesterday. They spent the day in eating all manner of good things, playing baseball and football, etc.

At City Park. — The eagle screamed at the Fair grounds yesterday in no uncertain tones. The Knights of Labor were there in force and lots of other folks. To say that all present enjoyed themselves and honored the day is the simple truth. There were no disturbance of a serious nature and everything passed off pleasantly.

Mayor G.B. Gibbens made an excellent Fourth-of-July talk and read the Declaration of Independence. He interspersed the reading of the Declaration with some eloquent explanatory remarks, and recited an appropriate original poem. The Mayor’s effort was well received and highly complimented. All in all, the day at the City Park was quietly and appropriately observed and thoroughly enjoyed.

At The Island. — Never did the old historic spot look better, and Mr. Amos Gordon, the proprietor, was fully prepared to accommodate the immense crowd that was present to enjoy the picnic under the auspices of the ladies of St. Xavier’s church, assisted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Early in the morning the steamer Harry D. Knox commenced carrying the people from the city, and by noon she was totally inadequate to meet the demands made upon her, and the ferry boat Maggie Paden, was pressed into service. All kinds of amusements held full sway — swings, cane-boards, merry-go-rounds, dancing, lunch and lemonade stands — all did a thriving business. But the feature of the day was the ball game between the Grafton nine and the Arctics of this city. The game was called promptly, and the contest began. It was one of the best, if not the best, ever played here. Interest ran high from the start, from the fact that the two nines had but recently played in Grafton, where the “Graftons” were victorious. It was a close, hard-fought game, to the sixth inning, the score standing 1 to 1, when by a bad error or two on the part of the Arctics, the home team lost the game, the “Graftons” making two runs in the sixth inning and two more in the eighth. It was a fine game, splendidly played, and was witnessed throughout by an immense and interested throng.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal,

July 5, 1889

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.