The Glorious Fourth 1862 By Jim Wood - Special to the Pioneer - 07-03-2002
This Tale of Our Muskegon River Valley relates Mecosta County's observance of Our Nation's Eighty Sixth Birthday Celebration.
When our tale occurred the Nation was engaged in defending itself from domestic enemies who intended to destroy the American Dream. Mecosta County Citizens, members of the Union Army, were fighting to ensure that Our Country would forever be "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
On June 26, 1862 the Mecosta County Pioneer printed the program for the upcoming Fourth of July Celebration. The order and itinerary for the procession, and an announcement of an evening dance at Zerah French's Union Hotel were also included in the Home Affairs section of the Pioneer. Under the direction of attorney Jacob O. Colburn, Marshall for the forthcoming events, the Committee of Arrangements erected seats and a stand in the Public Square's pine grove.
The Fourth of July 1862 was a pleasant and beautiful day. Early that morning Captain Haskin's Big Rapids Artillary Company greeted the Glorious Fourth and the patriots of the river settlement with a salute of 20 guns. At 10 o'clock a.m. parade units formed up at the Union Hotel located on the northwest corner of Bridge and Main (now State Street) in the following order: Band; President and Orator; Chaplain and Reader; Vice President and Committee of Arrangements; Citizens. Proceeding south, the procession marched down Main Street and crossed Mitchell Creek via the Hemlock Street Bridge. The marchers then went south on the narrow cleared but poorly graded lane called Michigan Avenue and then continued along the path now known as Elm Street to the pine grove located at the site of the present County Court House.
The ceremonies began with music, an Introduction by President for the day Charles Shafer, and a prayer given by the day's Chaplain, Elder William Kelly. The reading of the Declaration of Independence followed more music.
The Pioneer reported that "The large concourse of people were held for near an hour in breathless attention by the talented Orator of the day E.I. Gray Esq. of Newaygo."
Thirteen toasts each of which ended with a one gun salute followed more music. The toasts were: The Fourth; Washington; Heroes of Seventy Six; Signers of the Declaration; The President; National Legislature; Our Country; Our Army; Our Navy; Our Public Domain; The American People; Our Generals; and The "Red". "White", and "Blue."
Edgar I. Gray ended the ceremony with the following toast: "Here's To Mecosta County; Celebrated for fertility of its soil, the salubrity of its climate; its extensive pine forests, and the beauty of its ladies." An artillary salute and the whole audience heartily secinded Newaygo attorney Gray's solicitious words.
The procession preformed and marched en masse to Stearns House located on the southeast corner of Maple Street and Michigan Avenue.
Everyone then sat down and enjoyed the sumptuous dinner (lunch) that had been prepared by hotel proprietors Captain Daniel Stearns and his son-in-law Daniel F. Wooley the hamlet's first doctor.
The excercises for the day ended with a final artillary salute. That evening residents paid two dollars ($25 in 21st Century dollars) to attend the Independence Ball held in Zerah French's Union Hotel. The festivities were under the direction of Room Manager Andrew Green and the music was furnished by Tatman's band. The dance was largely attended and high enjoyed by those who participated in the pleasures.
As usual with local celebrations during the early days in Our River City the party lasted until the wee hours of the following morning.
The Marshall of the 1862 Fourth of July Celebration, J.O. Colburn enlisted as a Corporal in the Union Army on September 8, 1862. He was taken prisoner by the Confederates at Charleston, W. Wa., in October 1863.
J.O. Colburn died of chronic diarrhea three months after his imprisonment in nortorious Belle Isle Prison at Richmond, Va.
Civil War hero; Quartermaster Sergeant Jacob Osborn Coburn, Company I., Sixth Michigan Cavalry. is honorably interred in the Richmond National Cemetery.
HISTORIC NOTE:
This year is the 140th Anniversary of the beginning of The Pioneer Issues No. 9 and No. 11 of the Mecosta Copunty Pioneer provided the details of the happenings during the 1862 Glorious Fourth in Our River City. This was the first time in the history of Big Rapids that the Pioneer covered and reported a patriotic celebration.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jim Wood is a member of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, a participant in the Mecosta County Civil War Round Table. Two of his great grand fathers and five of his great uncles served in the Union Army during the Civil War. The five surviving veterans of this horrendous conflict were honored members of the Grand Army of the Republic. Jim and his wife Doralenia reside at Peachwood in Millbrook Town, Mecosta County on a high and windy hill where time stands still.
