Fourth of July 2005 in Hudson just wasn't a big deal this year, at least as far as local civic celebrations were concerned. At some times of the day it would have been possible to set up a battery of Civil War cannon and fired those Napoleons right down Main Street without hitting much more than the occasional passing pigeon.

It wasn't always thus. In the days before trips up north, the television, going to the lake and other such things, the Fourth of July was a big deal in Hudson, drawing thousands of people to a grand all-day celebration. Were there such things as time machines, it would be fun to step back to, oh, say the Fourth of July celebration in 1892 and see how it was done in the days when it was done right.

We don't have that time machine, but we do have the next best thing -- the pages of the Hudson Gazette for July 8, 1892. Much more detailed and colorfully written than is common practice today, it really offers us a glimpse of what things were like when five thousand patriotic citizens descended on Hudson to celebrate the Glorious Fourth. They may not have fired a 12-pound Napoleon down Main Street but it reads like they did everything else. Here, with a few abridgements and annotations (in italics), is how they did it back then.

                        Five Thousand Visitors

Patriotically Entertained in Hudson on Independence Day

A Great Day, Great Crowd, and Great Celebration

Grand Parade, Excellent Exercises, Splendid Ascension, Brilliant Fireworks 

The weather on Monday couldn't have been fairer if it had been made to order; the crowd was as large as the town could take care of; the celebration was a success in every particular.

So much for a synopsis of Hudson's great day on the Fourth. Now for details: The program did not contemplate anything earlier than 6 a.m., when "the day was ushered in" with a sunrise salute of 116 guns, but hours before that the previous day was ushered out with noisy clanging of bells. Every steeple in the village seemed to assist in the ear-splitting ushering-out business. On the hill in front of the Baptist church a great bon-fire burnt a huge hole in the night. This spot is always selected for the midnight Fourth of July pyre in open defiance of the wet proclivities of the Baptists. (By which we assume that the bonfire wasn't sponsored by the prohibitionist element of those days.) The inhabitants who slept through the din that lasted from midnight till daybreak had better be awake when Gabriel toots. The last trump would make no impression on them.

                                                Everybody Came

The deluge of Saturday night dampened everything but the patriotism of the farmers, or, more accurately, it soaked everything so that they couldn't do anything but be patriotic and celebrate, and that is what they did. (Excuses, excuses!) Before the guns ushered in the day, early arrivals were ushering themselves into town in the dewy freshness of the early morning. A bright sky bent above all comers, and served as a sort of a reception committee, beaming with satisfaction over their arrival. The lumber wagon, boxing in a complete family circle, had a conspicuous place in the cavalcade of teams that rolled into town, and when they come in by the lumber wagon-full you'll find a crowd. And there was a crowd, as large or larger than Hudson ever had before. What the teams couldn't bring in, the railroads did. Ten trains on the Lake Shore and Mackinaw dropped off their burdens of humanity at this station. All of Hudson's 3,000 inhabitants let themselves loose, of course and there were five thousand visitors or appearances were deceiving.

A population of 8,000 for one day! Hudson realized the importance of increased census, and put on her most fetching togs. She was bannered and flagged for all that was out. Decorated lunch stands invited the hungry and thirsty. Fresh from her day-before bath the village was as radiant under the smiling sky as a fancy sketch done in colors. All agreed that a more likely, comfortable and inviting place for uncorking patriotism could not be found.

Needless to tell how the visitors disported themselves. How do all Fourth of July crowds disport themselves? The miniature American accompanied by the usual amount of sizz and bang, wasting his inheritance on cannon firecrackers (some things never change), toy balloons and banana pop, was here; the old, old story, ever new, was retold in the responsive glances of the rosy-cheeked girl in white with a blue ribbon around her neck and sprucely-appareled youth at her side; again sportive swains yielded to the alluring strains from the bowery dance, and older folk sough the place "where the speakin' was goin' to be held" or complacently awaited the balloon ascension and the fireworks. There was something for all, old and young, those in love and out of it.
       
                                                  The Passing Show

At 11 a.m. the crowd squeezed itself between the store fronts and the iron railings on both sides of Main St., and filled all the windows to see the procession go by. The parade was late in getting started, as the Mackinaw train, bringing the orator of the day, was behind time. When the train drew up at the station Mrs. M. Adele Hazlett was hurried into a carriage containing the officers of the day, the vehicle dashed across the river to High St. (now Maple Grove Ave.) and took its place in the procession, Marshals Pease and Ellsworth gave the word, and the pageant swung out into Main St. and came down the hill toward the West Side like a conquering host in battle array.

It really was a picturesque procession, a creditable show. A brigade of wheelmen led the way. Two little girls in uniforms, with beautifully-decorated wheels were in the forefront. Behind the cyclists came the uniformed Fayette Normal Band playing patriotic airs, and the carriage contained the officers of the day and speaker. Next, with cadenced step, straight alignment and soldierly bearing followed the canton of uniformed Odd Fellows and Uniformed Rank Knights of Pythias. Their rich uniforms, glistening swords and red and purple plumes gave color and spirit to the line of march. Following the Knights were the Hudson, City Band, the fire department and artillery corps (And they really did have at least one Napoleon, which later spent several years parked at Maple Grove Cemetery.) Then a group of pretty children, in bright Kirmess costumes, and another group of young ladies representing the United States. Following these came an imposing line of business and industrial displays, headed by Wm. Pomeroy's  separation engine (threshing machine) upon which there were a group of little girls in white, waving flags. The exhibits were all neatly arranged and very attractive, making a real creditable showing for Hudson enterprise. (There follows a long list of businesses that had floats in the parade; with the possible exception of one or two, probably only Hazel Monahan is familiar with the names today.)

Following the business floats and tickling everybody with their grotesqueness was the fantastic rear-guard, both afoot and horseback. The wild and uncouth figures would never have been mistaken for a beauty show.

The long procession passed west on Main St. to Grove, south to Pleasant and east on Pleasant to Dean's Garden (A shaded open lot near the corner of Pleasant and Aldrich Streets). 

An Eloquent Oration

A selection by the Hudson City Band called several hundred people together in the shade of the grove. Rev. A. H. B. Nacy called the assemblage to order and congratulated everybody -- himself for being called upon to fill the position of president of the day, and the people for the blessing they enjoyed as American freemen. Mrs. A. Smith sang "Speed our Republic" in an inspiring manner, and Rev. G. S. Bradley offered prayer. The Declaration of Independence was ready by Rev. J. McLean, and Father Nacy sang the "Star Spangled Banner", a patriotic selection which found a response in every heart. (This was long before it became the national anthem.)  The orator of the day was then presented to the audience as an old friend with whose fame as a speaker all were acquainted.

Mrs. Hazlett was received with applause as she stepped forward. Her oration proved that all the plaudits that have been bestowed upon her as a public speaker since she left Hudson, have been honestly earned. As she recounted the reasons we have for national pride and observing Independence Day and pictured the progress and development of the nation, her remarks were intensely patriotic and impressive. It was an able address and was received with appreciation. (Having a woman as a lead orator in those pre-suffragette days was unusual, if for no more reason than there was no public address system and a voice had to carry if a person was to be a successful orator).

After singing "America" and listening to a selection by the Fayette Normal Band the crowd of celebrators went home to dinner. 

Trials of Strength and Speed

At 2 in the afternoon the centers of interest was Main and Market Streets, where several athletic young men contested for supremacy and the prizes in the different games.

Vernon Lamb, North Adams, won the first prize in the 100 yard running race. Harry Potter, Hudson, got his shoes on first in the "race for your own shoes" and captured $2.50 in gold. Will Briggs was the slowest in covering 100 yards on a wheel and raked in a $4 pair of shoes. Will Raynor, Hillsdale, made 500 yards in the quickest time and won a $6 pair of shoes.

The greased pig slid into the crowd pursued by five fellows who were "after him." Adam Steger, Hudson, and E.D. Manning, Medina, grabbed the slippery porker about the same time and went halves on him.

E.D. Manning, Will Rayner and Geo. Hackett made desperate but unsuccessful efforts to reach the top of the greased pole, but after tying resin, lemon juice and sand in vain, the prize was divided between them for their good intentions. 

Up He Goes

While the sorts were going on, the great canvas bag on South Church St. was swelling gradually, At 5:30 it was higher than the store buildings. The ascenionist, M.H. Phillips, in flesh-colored tights and white trunks glittering with spangles, threw his knee over the trapeze bar and shouted, "Let 'er go!" and up went the mammoth airship with the swiftness of an eagle, and as straight as a pistol shot. In the clear air every movement of the aeronaut could be noted by the immense throng, as he ascended skyward waving his hat to the crowd. At length he was seen to pull the rope that  releases the parachute from the balloon. One second he shot downward with lightning-like rapidity, and then the parachute opened gracefully and "let him down easy". He landed on C.H. Stroud's lot on Howard St., a stone's throw from where the balloon went up. It was a splendid ascension, and the crowd was delighted with the thrilling spectacle.  

Exhibition by the Fire Department

At 6 o'clock the hoarse water works whistle blew for fire. Both hose companies responded with alacrity, and in a jiffy had four fine streams playing on the old spoke factory building. The exhibition demonstrated the efficiency of Hudson's fine system of fire protection in a convincing manner. 

Last of All the Fireworks

A high platform erected on the Public Square enabled everyone to see the magnificent display of fireworks. (It's not clear where this square was, although it's known that they often had fireworks at the race track located where the Waste Water Treatment Plant is today.) The exhibition was unavoidably delayed by a genuine fire alarm, which sounded just as the display was about to begin. As the committee in charge of the fireworks were members of the hose company they were obliged to respond to the alarm, thus interfering with the arrangements somewhat. The display repaid everyone for waiting, however. It continued for two hours, and fairly made the heavens blaze. The set pieces, "Fourth of July" and the American Eagle, and the wheels, flower pots and balloons with Roman candles attached were especially fine. Then there were Roman candles, colored lights and rockets galore, making a brilliant finale to the eventful, enjoyable day. 

Everyone Satisfied

Hudson's celebration resembles in one respect the report which a neighbor gave of a miserly old codger's death. In reply to the inquiry, "What was the complaint?" he replied, "No complaint -- everyone satisfied." There is no complaint about the way Hudson entertained the people on the Fourth -- everyone was satisfied. There was no casualty or disorder to detract from the success of the celebration It was a carnival of enjoyment from daybreak to the end. Apart from the pride which our people feel over the enterprise shown by Hudson, there is a commercial phase of the event which is peculiarly satisfactory. There is hardly a business place in town that did not realize some benefit from the presence of such a great throng. To the hotels, livery barns, restaurants and lunch counters it was a veritable bonanza. Thousands of dollars were left in Hudson that would have gone elsewhere if we had not celebrated.