Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, July 06 & 08, 1915

It is indeed interesting to hear the early settlers tell of the first Fourth of July celebration in Mount Ayr. The first celebration held in 1861 was referred to as one of the most successful celebrations ever held in the town. People came for many miles and from Union, Decatur, Taylor counties and adjoining counties in Missouri.

There were few trees in Mount Ayr and branches from the trees on Grand River were cut and hauled to the county seat and with these shade was provided. A board fence surrounded the park and there was no agitation on the waterworks, sewerage, paving and library questions at that time. Other things occupied the minds of the people.

The call had been issued for volunteers to defend the Union and on that first celebration in Mount Ayr, Company G. of the Fourth Iowa was organized.

Marked is the contrast between the mode of travel then and now. The people rode behind ox teams fifty-three years ago, while at the celebration held Monday, it was estimated that there were in the city more than a thousand automobiles, to say nothing about the airship which did not fly.

In the baby show, held in connection with the Fourth of July celebration, Alice JACKSON, one-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph JACKSON, of Washington township, won first prize, and Paul SMITH, the eight months old son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul SMITH, of Clearfield, was awarded the second prize. There were 37 contestants and the judging was difficult.

F. L. BURROWS, of Weston, MO, came to this city last evening where he has been transferred to the assistant agentship at the depot. He came to accept the position made vacant by the resignation of Howard ROBERTS, of Northboro.

The local creamery sold 350 gallons of ice cream yesterday, which was the largest single day's business since the creamery was sarted. Louis POHLE, the expert butter and ice cream maker, and L. O. BEMENT, who looks after the front office, keeps books and weighs the cream, took time to attend the ball game and in their absence, John B. CURRIE, a member of the board of directors, looked after the business.

DELPHOS - A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Tom PYLE on June 26.

NORTH WASHINGTON - Mr. and Mrs. Tom BIRD are the proud parents of a baby daughter, born June 29.

NORTH WASHINGTON - Mr. and Mrs. Walter DRISKELL are rejoicing over the arrival of a daughter at their home on July 3.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2015

 

IOWA OLD PRESS
An Iowa GenWeb project that collects articles from old Iowa newspapers. Have a look back at the lives and times of our Iowa ancestors as reported in early newspapers. The home page for Iowa Old Press Project, complete with a searchable database, may be accessed at: http://iagenweb.org/iowaoldpress/