yesterday's tennessee

The Fourth Celebrated - 1916

from the collection of Brenda Fiddler

July 7, 1916
The Lexington Progress

Independence Day, “The day on which the American Eagle first tore up its iron cage and with a bloodcurdling scream alighted upon the affrightened British tyrants,’ was duly celebrated in many localities--of which Lexington was not one.

The news came that Jackson was going to make a big spread in a patriotic and preparedness celebration and parade, so the business men of Lexington shut up shop for most of the day and hiked out for whatever particular place seemed most inviting for the day.  The Progress man accepted an invitation of Attorney William H. Lancaster to make a trip to Jackson via the dirt road, in his Willis-Knight--Overland and the start from Lexington was made at 8 a.m., in company with Mr. Lancaster’s sons, Mather and Jesse and daughter, Miss Achilles, and the city of Jackson was reached in ample time view the splendid parade which occurred in the morning.  The fourteen miles from the county line to Jackson were covered easily, and without a bobble in right around thirty minutes--for Mather is a chauffeur who keeps his hand on the wheel and his eye on the road.

The celebration was an unqualified success and the crowed in attendance was enormous.  the business portion of the city and many of the residences were gaily decorated in the national colors and practically all the business of the city, except those furnishing cold drinks and something to eat, was closed nearly all of the day.

Without going into details and attempting to describe the many beautiful floats and the various organizations which participated in the long march, on foot and in vehicles, we can say that the parade would have been a credit to any city regardless of size.

The Southern Hotel seemed to be made headquarters for hundreds of gentlemen and ladies and for rather a longer time than usual.   An excellent dinner was served to those who crowded the spacious dining room.

All who were present, agreed, so far as we could tell, from the many expressions heard, that Jackson had done herself proud in her attempt to fittingly celebrate the day in which each and every American feels an undying pride.

The return home again was made without a bobble and without even a disagreeable thought, except that brought about by comparing the road from Lexington to the county line with that from the county line to Jackson--but Henderson County is coming, awakening to the need of good roads and sooner or later we are going to have them.  Many of the Juno section, who now go with their business to Jackson, are but waiting for a good road to come and bring all their trade to their county site.