At about 8 o’clock in the morning of the Fourth the various organizations and societies that were to participate in the parade began to gather in the neighborhood of Third and Market streets. The column formed with the column resting on Market Square, at nine o’clock, and soon moved to the front of the courthouse, where the column was manned by divisions.

The crowd at this place was great and the selection of this place for the exercise was injudicious. No platform had been provided for the speakers and no awning to shelter them. One of the committee obtained a three by four dry goods box to serve as a platform.

Some excellent music by the Repasz Band opened the exercises. The Hon. Robert P. Allen then mounted the dry goods box and read the immortal document. It was read admirably, his voice strong and clear.
It was announced that the Hon. William H. Armstrong would deliver an address worthy of the great occasion.

The column for the parade was composed of four divisions, Col. A.H. Stead, chief marshal of the first division. Dr. J. Stickel, chief of the second division. Phillip McGirr was chief marshal of the third division and the fourth division by H.W. Page.

The column marched out Pine to Fourth Street, up Fourth to Centre to Third, down Third to Chatham, out Chatham to Church, up Church to Basin, out Basin to Fourth, up Fourth to Market, when the column halted and the organizations left the line. The veterans then marched out to the fairgrounds to the camp fire, where a regular old army dinner was disposed of.

The Irish societies were the largest in the procession, and were the objects of high commendation.

Compiled by Lou Hunsinger Jr.