Knee high by the 4th of July (and other observations)

You know the old saying, "Knee high by the 4th of July" regarding our corn crops? Well, I'm happy to announce that the corn crop the squirrels planted in my potato patch surpassed knee-high a few weeks ago. But that's nothing compared to the good fortune affecting most Iowa corn farmers: Tasseling is already being reported across the state.

In honor of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations, the following is an excerpt from the Wednesday, June 28, 1876 issue of The Iowa Liberal, LeMars, Plymouth County, Iowa. (Yes, we once had a newspaper called "The Liberal." We also had a paper called "The Democrat." Crazy, huh?)

The Iowa Liberal

LeMars, Plymouth County, Iowa

Wednesday, June 28, 1876

Ho! There.---Whereas it has been determined by the good people of LeMars to properly celebrate and observe the coming Fourth of July, this is to give notice to all Grangers, Odd Fellows, Masons, and all other civic societies, by whatever name known, that they are hereby cordially and explicitly invited to take part in the exercises that day. Preparations will be made for all. The Saengerbund say come; the committee say come; and whoever will let him come and have a good time on the hundredth anniversary of American Independence!

FUN AHEAD.---On the 4th, near the St. Paul depot, several hundred pigeons will be uncooped to the mercies of the "crack" marksmen of this vicinity. Messrs. Alline, Greer, Long, Click, O'Neil, Dent, Kline, Dr. Porter, Bowman, and Coe, are enrolled for the contest. Mr. Jos. Long has the matter in hand, and with his usual activity, will make ample arrangements for fun for everybody.

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE!

Will be celebrated in LeMars in a style appropriate to the Grand Occasion, under the management of the

LE MARS SAENGERBUND.

The following programme will be observed: The day will be ushered in with the National Salute by Thirteen Guns at several places in town at sunrise, and a National Hymn played by the Brass Band.

The procession will be formed under the direction of the Marshal at 10 o'clock a.m. on the corner of Sixth and Main Streets, in front of Flint and Kaiser's Block, in the following order:

1st LeMars Brass Band on foot

2d. Orators and Reader in carriage

3d Tableau of Thirteen States

4th LeMars Saengerbund Society,

5th Citizens of LeMars and adjoining towns and country.

The line of march will be as follows: Down Main Street to Seventh; thence west on Seventh to Clark Street; thence to Sixth Street, and along Sixth Street to Gehlen's Grove, east of LeMars, where the exercises of the day will be held as follows:

1st Music by the Band

2d Singing by the Saengerbund Society.

(Recess of one hour)

3d At 1 o'clock p.m., music by the Band

4th Reading of the Declaration of Independence

5th Singing by the Saengerbund Society

6th Oration in the English language

7th Historical Sketches by A. C. Sheetz

8th Singing by the Choir.

9th Music by the Band

10th Oration in the German language

11th Music, songs, and amusement in general, until evening, when fire works will be displayed in honor to the 100th Anniversary.

3 GRAND BALLOON ASCENSIONS WILL BE MADE DURING THE AFTERNOON

Refreshments of all Kinds On Hand At the Grove

GRAND BALL

At Van Sickel's Hall All Night --- Admission to Hall. $1.00

An invitation is extended to all to join the procession.

(End of transcript)

Here's to wishing everyone a fun and safe 4th of July. And to Don Paulin, thanks for the laugh. My family and friends got a real kick out of that start of your last column. I'm still chuckling over that.