Juneteenth has been a federal holiday since 2021 and, in Iowa, a state holiday since 2002, marking the anniversary of a June 19, 1865, order by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas --- two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued on Jan. 1, 1863. So in one sense, Juneteenth marks the end rather than the beginning of the initial emancipation process.
Earlier generations of freedom celebrants in Iowa and elsewhere, however, generally had observed instead Emancipation Day on or near Sept. 22 --- the date in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary proclamation freeing slaves in states of the Confederacy.
Here's an earlier Lucas Countyan post about the Lucas County celebration held on Sept. 25, 1888: "Juneteenth vs. Emancipation Day in Chariton."
The biggest regional celebration during the Emancipation Proclamation's 40th anniversary year was held in the Decatur county seat, Leon, during early August of 1902.
At the time, Leon was a convenient ride down the South Branch of the C.B.&Q. from the Chariton Depot and The Herald of Aug. 7 reported that, "A number of Chariton's colored people went to Leon last Tuesday to help celebrate the colored emancipation day there."
This was the second year for Leon's Emancipation Jubilee, launched during 1901 by several families who lived there. The "Cleveland Colored Band," made up of coal miners from Lucas County, was one of two musical units marching in the big jubilee parade of 1901 at Leon --- the other band was from Gallatin, Missouri.
During 1902, the Buxton Band was on hand to provide music and featured speakers included George H. Woodson (1865-1933), among Iowa's most prominent early black attorneys then headquartered in Muchakinock and Buxton. He had been instrumental during 1900 in organization of the Iowa chapter of the Afro-American Council and, during 1902, the Iowa Negro Bar Association. Ten years later, as the poster above indicates, Woodson would be an unsuccessful candidate for state representative from Monroe County.
Here's a report of the first day of the celebration, published in The Leon Reporter of Aug. 7, 1902:
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The Second Grand Emancipation Jubilee Celebration is in progress as The Register goes to press this week. It opened bright and early Tuesday morning when the celebrated Buxton Colored Band of 31 pieces arrived on the 6 o'clock train. The band is one of the best in the state and furnished excellent music for the celebration. The town presents a gala appearance, the streets being filled with fakirs, attractions of various sorts and two merry-go-rounds. The shower Monday night cleared the streets of dust and the weather is all that could be desired.
Tuesday afternoon the program was carried out as advertised, Hon. Samuel Reed, of Bethany, making a splendid address in the park which was enjoyed by the large crowd which heard him. The emancipation proclamation was read in fine style by Miss Cora Campbell, and Miss Effie Pugh delivered a fine oration. The Hawkeye quartette, of Des Moines, furnished entertainment for the large crowd with their excellent singing.
Mayor Woodard made the address of welcome and tendered the keys of the city to the visitors. The response to the address of welcome was by Hon. Geo. H. Woodson, the well known colored attorney of Muchakinock, who was followed by Hon. Marion F. Stookey who delivered a fine address.
After the exercises in the park were concluded everybody went to the ball park where they witnessed one of the best ball games ever played in Leon, the game being won by the Des Moines club who defeated the Atchison (Kansas) club by a score of 7 to 5.
After the ball game there was a public cake walk on a large platform at the northwest corner of the square for a fine cake, preliminary to the couple contest which was in progress at the time The Reporter went to press last evening.
In the evening, there was a band concert by the Buxton band followed by a vaudeville entertainment at the opera house by a company from St. Joe, the opera hall being well filled. The players were not the best in the world, but they furnished considerable amusement for the large audience. After the show, there was a dance in the opera house and a large number of visitors tripped the light fantastic toe until a late hour.
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The Reporter went to press in the midst of the big celebration and so the second day was not reported upon until a week later, on Aug. 14. This chapter of the report also explains why there were no further jubilees at Leon --- although the events attracted appreciative crowds they failed to meet expenses.
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The Reporter went to press too early last Wednesday to give an account of the second day's celebration. The weather was all that could be desired and the crowd was probably double that of Tuesday. The Buxton band again furnished excellent music. The afternoon program at the park consisted of songs by the Hawkeye quartette, of Des Moines, and several recitations by young ladies.
The speaker of the day was George H. Woodson, of Muchakinock, who was introduced by Samuel H. Reed, and delivered a powerful and able address on the negro question in general. He is an educated and talented young man and his address was greatly enjoyed by the audience. At the close of Mr. Woodson's address there were short speeches made by Elder A.E. Hatch and Charles Pugh.
A large crowd attended the second ball game at the baseball park in the afternoon between Des Moines and Atchison, Des Moines again winning by the decisive score of 17 to 6. The Atchison club and quite a crowd of followers had come to this city prepared to back Atchison to win both games and they dropped considerable money on the two games.
There were several thousand people gathered on Main street in the evening to witness the finals in the cake walk for a prize cake, but they were somewhat disappointed for only one couple made their appearance on the platform.
So far as attracting large crowds the celebration was a decided success. The managers, Messrs. Caldwell & Johnson, had spent much time in working up the celebration and went to a big expense for their band, ball teams, etc., and we are sorry that they came out loser. Their expenses were very heavy and the receipts from all sources lacked about $50 of settling all claims, but the managers say they will settle everything as quick as possible. This will in all probability be the last emancipation celebration here, as it seems impossible to finance the affair so that it is not given at a loss.
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