1919: Skies open, but "none-the-less we celebrated"

Independence Day fell on a Friday back in 1919 and big plans for the celebration were made. This was to be, after all, an informal "welcome home" for the hundreds of young Lucas Countyans who had returned home recently from service during World War I. Half-page advertisements in the Chariton newspapers (above) had accomplished their task --- and the town was full.

And then, just as the big parade was ending and the oration of the day about to begin, the skies opened and rain began to fall. The deluge continued off and on until 7 p.m., stranding the hundreds  who had arrived in town via automobile. There were no surfaced roads in Lucas County at the time --- just mud. 

For a while during the evening, it seemed as if it might dry out enough to set off the fireworks since a captive audience already was on hand, camped in their automobiles around and just off the square, but then, at about 9 p.m., the rain began again.

There was a silver lining, of a sort, of course --- June had been very dry and rain was needed. So the farm families camped out in their vehicles because there were no rooms for them in the various inns had some cause to celebrate.

An organizational meeting for Carl L. Caviness American Legion Post No. 102 had been scheduled for July 12 at the courthouse and 92 young men had signed up and paid their dues at a registration booth on the 4th. 

And a lad named Dougherty, from near Oakley, had climbed the greased pole in record time before the rains began and claimed the thoroughbred pig awarded by P. D. Schwennecker.

Here's Henry Gittinger's report of of the somewhat abbreviated celebration as published in The Leader of July 10:

WE DID CELEBRATE

The Band Played, the Parade Passed and the Rain Fell

The Fourth of July celebration came to a sudden ending in the afternoon on account of the rain and the thousands of people broke for shelter. Thus ended the scheduled programs, but not the impromptu proceedings.

The roads were so slippery that hundreds of automobiles refused to perform their functions and as a result their occupants did not start home 'til morning.

Someone suggested that it would be a good time to submit the question of paved roads. But this was not on the bills. Sleeping places could not be obtained, so the curtains were let down and improvised camps were made of the autos, and were everywhere about the square.

The band arrived from Ottumwa in the morning and did its full duty as long as possible, but finally the inspiring notes were drowned out by the downpour.

At noon, the parade passed by. It was a quality affair, but lacked quantity. The returned soldiers and sailors made a fine appearance and many were in the line of march. A good martial band was one of the features and there was a gala appearance of bunting and national colors displayed all about the city.

Judge Estelle, of Omaha, was to deliver an oration, and arrived with the effort in his grip at noon, but at about the time of the make-ready, the humidity increased and he cut his harangue short under cover. And from the sample received, it is said the people didn't miss much on account of the rain.

The grand display of fireworks was postponed. Never-the-less, we celebrated.