The 1913 Fourth of July in Circleville
The parade and celebration, as reported by the Middletown Daily Times-Press
As reported by the Middletown Daily Times-Press, Monday, July 7, 1913
Probably the only place for many miles around to celebrate our great National Holiday was the little hamlet of Circleville, five miles north of Middletown. There, the day was observed in an old fashioned manner, barring the noise of the cannon concomitants. The small boy and his explosives were in evidence, of course in the evening, the fireworks.
The crowds were there and the several quantities of peanuts and lemonade, ice cream, etc. and there were parades speechmaking, the reading of the Declaration of Independence, the martial music, the usual twisting of the British lion’s tail, and — the noise, dust, smoke and the longing for a good soaking rank so much needed in this section.
The number of visitors was not as great as better weather conditions might have brought out, but many were there, and everyone seemed to greatly enjoy the event, and the novelties furnished in the parade, a faint idea of which may be gained from the program below.
Credit for the celebration is largely due to the Rev. Ralph W. Rowland, the enterprising young pastor of the Circleville Church, and Assemblyman Doty, in his reading of the Declaration of Independence, commended him in no uncertain terms for his progressive work in the community, and referred to him as “the Mayor of the town”. To B. J. Flaherty, the courteous and always obliging young railroad station agent at Circleville, too much praise cannot be given for his part in the day’s doings. As chairman of the parade committee, he planned and had executed the various “stunts” that formed most of the mirth-provoking hits in the parade.
An excellent dinner was served at noon and at 6 PM to a large number of people.
The music by the Ruggles Fife and Drum Corps was a pleasing feature of the day’s proceedings. The boys played well and their handsome uniforms as well as their good music attracted favorable comment from all.
Among the athletic events were forenoon and afternoon baseball games, running and jumping races, etc.
The speaking took place from the church steps, where Assemblyman W. Doty read the Declaration of Independence and made a brief address. The Rev. Ralph W. Rowland also spoke and announced the events of the day. In the evening brief addresses were made by Rev. Rowland, by the Rev. Dr. Stowitts of the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. F. A. Weimer of the Bullville Church; by Supervisor William R. Wallace and by Assemblyman W. T. Doty. In the evening music interspersed with speaking was furnished by Mr. White, violinist of Bullville, and by Miss Muriel Wallace, pianist of Circleville. Following these exercises was a fine display of fireworks. In charge were Supervisor Wallace and Eli Bennett.
The order of the line of march
First Division
B. J. Flaherty, Marshal. Uncle Sam (Frank Travis) and Columbia (Miss Helen Shaw) on horseback. George and Martha Washington on a float (H. Shaw and Mrs. Russell Homes). Ruggles Fife & Drum Corps. War veterans, driven by J. T. Bull. Hon. W. T. Doty, Assemblyman, and Wm. R. Wallace, Supervisor (Mr. Saville’s wagon). Hollyrood rig leading the C. C. A. The Circleville Community Association, marching. The Circleville Fire Department.
Second Division
Rev. Ralph W. Rowland, Marshal. Aylesbury Tally-ho with the speakers. The Circleville Sunday School. Primary Department of the W.S. in Mr. Christiana’s wagon. Circleville Boy Scouts. The Christian Endeavor Society in a carriage. The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union’s carriage.
Third Division
W. S. H. Seybolt, Marshal. Decorated bicycles. Wagons: Lorin Cox and Ira Hunt, Suffragettes. Indian Squaw on horseback (Miss Helen Brinckerhoff). Man (George Youngberg). The Execution of the Penalty (Emmet Bull and W. S. H. Seybolt). The three kickers (Ben Shaw and John Hatch). The Beggar and the Bear (P. G. Roe and Sam Wallace).
Chairman of the parade committee, J. B. Flaherty