Farm equipment and fire trucks always have been featured in Chariton's annual 4th of July parades, including 1889 --- when implement dealer Eli Manning used a four-mule hitch to haul this Walter A. Wood binder along the parade route with a Eureka Mower and other pieces of equipment trailing along behind. He punctuated his appearance with this advertisement, printed in editions of The Chariton Democrat that preceded and followed the big day.
The Democrat also carried the most complete account of Chariton's celebration that year, when then as now --- 2019 --- the holiday fell on a Thursday:
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"Chariton never spreads itself for an immense celebration," The Democrat of July 11 reported, "But it never fails to have something to commemorate the glorious work so gloriously begun on July 4, 1776. The occasion this year was at least equal to any of former years.
"The day was as delightful as if specially made for the occasion. Late rains had laid the dust and the usual dog-day heat was conspicuously absent. The day was ushered in by the firing of cannon that woke the slumbering citizens at an early hour. by seven o'clock the boys and girls from the country were coming in, and two hours later the streets were well filled with patriotic citizens well filled with patriotic impulses.
"The parade in the forenoon was good, led by the Chariton Band discoursing its loveliest music and followed by the Chariton Fire Department.
"Eli Manning looked every inch an accomplished cowboy as he gracefully handled the lines of four stalwart mules pushing along a Randolph Header and drawing the Walter A. Wood binder, Dane Stacker, several mowing machines and wagons.
"William Schreiber had a good team drawing wagons, buggies and sulkies of his own make and carried a live forge and anvil from which he plied his usual vocation.
"Johnson & Bower put their furnishing store on wheels and made a most tasty and elegant display.
"The McCormick Harvester works hauled around a number of their machines.
"W.J. Mooney, of the Hudson Brothers Commission Company, hauled around the employees of their great Butter Home.
"The new men who are making fan mills here (there names we don't know because they haven't advertised) made a fine exhibition of their goods.
"Laws & Niefing, the cigar manufacturers, had an elegant wagon tastefully painted and decorated, illustrating their business.
"H.S. Glenn, who is always there, had out a long line of the celebrated Glenn wagons, buggies and carts.
"H.H. Day, the presiding officer, called the multitude to order and delivered an appropriate opening address. J.A. Campbell, of The Democrat, read the Declaration of Independence. Rev. D.M. Stuart, of Russell, delivered the oration very acceptably. W.S. Dungan spoke briefly on, 'From the past, what of the future of American citizenship?'and J.C. Mitchell game us some practical thoughts on 'Our foreign population.' The Glee Club and the band interspersed the performance with inspiring music.
"The afternoon was devoted to all sorts of fun, not the least of which was a grand dance given in the Opera Hall which was attended by hundreds of the youngsters. A fine display of fireworks closed the happy day and sent the large crowd home well pleased with the events of a pleasant day."
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Both The Democrat and The Chariton Herald of July 11 also published reports from correspondents elsewhere in Lucas County that give some idea of the scope of the celebration in other communities.
The Amity correspondent's report was brief: "Several of our young folks spent the 4th in Humeston."
The Oakley correspondent's report was longer: "A little about the celebration. There was a tolerable large crowd, but not as large as we have seen in Chariton. The speakers were Sanders of Lucas and J.A. Campbell of Chariton. Sanders spoke in the morning and Campbell in the afternoon. They both did well. Next came the Oakley Modocs; they burnt Captain Jack to a stake. The free lemonade was not very good but it seemed to go well because it was cheap. The balloon ascension took place at 5 o'clock. Next came the fire works. They were good, but Lit Baker got his hand badly burned while firing a sky rocket."
The Oakley Modocs probably were a baseball team.
The Liberty Township correspondent reported that "Minty Davidson took his girl to Chariton to see the fireworks on the 4th. He put his team in the livery stable, and when he went to hitch up, his new harness was cut to pieces and the rings taken off. This is the second time. It is risky for a farmer to go to Chariton. Mr. Editor, isn't the liveryman responsible for all damage done in his stables. I think they are. Please let me hear through the columns of your paper."
Otherwise, the Liberty correspondent wrote, "The 4th at Oakley was a success; everyone enjoyed themselves. The fireworks were seen at (rural school house) No. 9 from Russell, Chariton and Oakley, and Oakley had the best."
The Derby correspondent reported that, "Nearly all of our people went to Humeston on the 4th," but warned that "A number of young men in and around Warren township are rapidly going to ruin, by way of the whiskey bottle, and it is believed all the vile stuff is purchased in Chariton. Boys, look out or you will become slaves to a habit that you can't get rid of."
The Union Township report suggests that an attempt to mount a fireworks display at Derby on the night of the 4th didn't quite work out: "Grand display of fireworks in Derby the night of the Fourth. At least there was to have been. J.W. Dunn and Johnny McMains were discharging the works from the top of a freight car when the whole lot caught fire which made it lively for the boys for a little while. Johnny's clothing caught fire and a rocket hit him in the side, which made him think his time had come."
At Cleveland: "A large number of people assembled south of Lucas in a pleasant grove to celebrate the nation's birthday. Mr. Starkey, the marshal and chairman of the day, marched at the head of the Lucas brass band from Lucas to Cleveland and back, and thence to the grove where a commodious platform was erected for speakers, choir and band who entertained the assembly with speeches and music suitable to the day. The speakers were Mr. Hardin Exley, Rev. Ashton and Hon. H.L. Byers. A cheering and delightful time was enjoyed."
Not much happened on Chinquapin Ridge: "The Fourth is a thing of the past and most of the young folks on the ridge spent it in Chariton."
According to the Zero correspondent, "We had a very pleasant time in Russell the 4th. All seemed to enjoy themselves except the Zero Baseball Club. The Russell boys beat them so bad that their tally sheet had to be spliced to get their scores down."
Finally, out in English Township, Jane --- the correspondent --- reported that "Jane and her fellow went to Newbern the Fourth, had a good time, drank some lemonade, watched two bunches of fire crackers explode, which constituted the fireworks, and went home happy."
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