The question "How long has Chariton celebrated Independence Day?" comes up nearly every year --- and the answer is, forever, although "forever" here translates as since 1850, the city's first full year.
There are no surviving reports of the earliest, but most likely they followed the same pattern as others reported upon a few years later: A community picnic in a grove near town (there were few if any trees in Chariton during 1850), patriotic speeches, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, simple games and fireworks. Later on, as trees sprouted in the courthouse park, the location shifted.
All in all, these were simple one-day celebrations and all who attended were expected to listen to one or more patriotic speeches delivered by whichever worthy gentlemen could be rounded up and planted on a makeshift platform --- ladies need not apply.
This year, the year of COVID-19, will be considerably different. There still will be fireworks, courtesy of the Chariton Volunteer Fire Department, at 10 p.m. on the 4th at Northwest Park. But the grand parade will be "reverse" this year --- folks will be invited to drive around and admire holiday decorations around town rather than packing themselves onto the square to watch entries pass by.
Other homemade details may be added as family and friends gather and there are a few ideas in this report published in The Chariton Democrat of July 5, 1900, of that year's observance. The headline, read: "Chariton's Celebration: The Eagle Screamed Right Merrily; A Large Crowd in Attendance at the Exercises."
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Never did the glorious bird of freedom scream more lustily than she ded in Chariton yesterday. In the "wee small" hours of the morn, Young America ushered in the day which marked the 124th anniversary of freedom, not exactly by the beating of tomtoms, but with equally as great discordant and nerve destroying noises. The morning dawned bright and clear and by ten o'clock the streets were thronged with people, many of them clad in fine raiment. Everybody turned themselves loose to have a good time and we believe they had it.
At eleven o'clock the assembly was called to order by the president of the day, Dr. C.T. Brant, and after the invocation by Rev. W.V. Whitten, Col. Warren S. Dungan delivered an address which was listened to with great interest. The Colonel is a fluent speaker and can easily hold the attention of his hearers. Rev. A.C. Ormond read the Declaration of Independence. He speaks clearly and distinctly and the audience was able to catch every word.
After dinner, Senator W.H. Berry of Indianola delivered the address of the day, and we may say that it was one of the finest patriotic speeches Lucas county people ever listened to. At the close of his remarks the amusement program was carried out. The races resulted as follows:
Wheelbarrow --- Chas. Lewis, 1st prize, a hammock.
Greased Pole --- Thorp, 1st prize, two watches; Tom Barnes, 2nd, a football.
Fat Man --- Tom Hooper, 1st prize, 50 Andy Jack cigars donated y Storie & Lusk.
Potato Picking --- Tom Barnes, 1st prize, riding bridle; Fred Schreiber, 2nd, bedspread.
Greased Pig --- Claude Johnson caught him and took him home.
Foot Race, 100 yards --- Chas Lewis, 1st prize, silver butter dish.
Wood Sawing --- Smiley Littleton, first prize, a hammock, time 1 minute 1-1/2 seconds; John McBride, 2nd, bedspread; B. Wallmer, 3rd, a vase; H.A. Erickson, 4th, a whip.
Bicycle race, seven mile handicap --- Chas. Smith, 1st, mandolin; Kent Hooper, 2nd, solar gas lamp; Etheridge Rogers, 34rd, leggins; Max Blous, 4th, foot pump; Ed Woodman, 5th, bell; Charles Percifield, 6th, toe clips and lamp bracket; Roy Murray, 7th, toe clips; Stant Hooper, 8th; Geo. Sage, 9th; Walter Schreiber, 10th. The first time prize, a silver cake basket, was won by Max Blous, time 27 minutes and 50 second. The second prize, leggins and toe clips, was won by Ed Woodman, time 28 minutes and 3 seconds.
We were unable to learn the name of the winner of the sack race.
Throughout the day the City Guard Band discoursed sweet music which was greatly enjoyed by the vast throng. In the evening a grand display of fireworks took place. A large number of elegant pieces had been secured and all spoke in the highest praise of this feature of the entertainment. The display was first class and was as fine as was ever witnessed in our city. The day passed off pleasantly and everything was conducted in a proper manner. Peace and harmony prevailed and everybody enjoyed themselves hugely.
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