Newspaper Clipping(s) of the Independence Day

"Boston Globe," July 4, 1907. All items via Newspapers.com

Yes, it is once again time for Strange Company's annual Fourth of July celebration! This year, we have a roundup of assorted holiday oddities. Something for everybody!

Well, assuming everybody is a little weird, and if you're reading my blog, you probably are.

This writer for the "Muncie Evening Press" got into the proper Strange Company spirit for Independence Day 1939:

...July Fourth only comes once a year, too, like Christmas, and plenty often enough, at that. On Christmas we don't burn up buildings, put out the eyes of our fellow celebrants, nor maim and kill hundreds of people...I learned to hate Fourth of July demonstrations many years ago when a little boy who lived with his parents in an apartment on East Main St in the business district, died of shock caused by the barbaric noises of the day. The child had been very ill, but had begun to recover when the noise demons let loose their two-day barrage and killed him as certainly as if they had fired bullets into his frail body. How many, if any, victims will there be in Muncie, this year?

More importantly, how many hens will fall victim to the Fatal Fourth? The "Philadelphia Evening Telegraph," July 13, 1870:

They had an instance of the peril of trifling with explosive materials way down in Province-town on the Fourth of July. An old hen attacked a torpedo, and by persistent pecking, caused it to explode and blow her own head off. Not a very serious beginning in Fourth of July casualties for Cape Cod.

"Arizona Daily Star," June 30, 1935

Some handy tips from the "Appleton Post Crescent," July 4th, 1930:

You want to survive until the Fifth of July? Get a corset. The "Boston Post," July 5, 1921:

New York, July 4.--The steel stays of her corset probably saved the life of Mrs. Anna Stole, 25, when a bullet, fired by boys celebrating the Fourth of July, ricocheted from the curb and struck her left side. The woman's only wound was a slight abrasion.

Back in the day, lockjaw was as much a part of any Independence Day celebration as fireworks, ice cream, and parades.  The "Daily Journal," July 13, 1903:

A typical 19th century Fourth of July was reported in the "Dayton Herald," July 6, 1897:

Chicago, July 6. Fourth of July accidents yesterday resulted in a list for the day which included four dead, eight seriously injured and twenty-five slightly hurt. The dead are:

JOHN HOFFWATER, 8 years old, premature explosion of leaded pop bottle.

JAMES W. KEEFE, 21 years old. found dead in the rear of his home, with a bullet in his heart; supposed to have shot himself accidentally or been struck by a stray bullet.

CHARLES SMITH, fell asleep in a window; startled by explosion of giant cracker, lost his balance, and fell to the ground.

JOHN THOMAS, JR, 12 years old, jugular vein severed by fragments of glass bottle he had placed over muzzle of his toy cannon.

Because I know you're dying to learn what Independence, Kansas, spent on the holiday in 1880:

I shall close with two items dealing with the origins of our national birthday party.  In 1778, New Bern, North Carolina had the honor of being the first place in the country to hold public celebrations for the Fourth of July.  This report of that epochal day comes from the "North-Carolina Weekly Gazette" for July 10:

And, finally, this clipping from "Purdie's Virginia Gazette" for June 21, 1776, carried the biggest news of the day: the sad passing of Mrs. Martha Scasbrooke.  They managed to report on less momentous events, as well.

A happy Fourth of July to all my fellow Americans!