The Glorious Fourth of July

The Fourth of July was celebrated in grand style at the Glessners’ summer estate, The Rocks, in 1911.  The event included a parade in which the Glessners’ seven grandchildren and their friends participated, along with their horses and ponies – a total of 17 children and 13 horses.  A grand stand was erected in front of the farm house, where lemonade was served following the spectacle.  John Glessner served as the master of ceremonies and orator of the day, delivering the following speech to explain the holiday to his grandchildren:

“My dear children – I wonder if you know just what the 4^th of July means.  More than 135 years ago this country was a colony of Great Britain and all the laws were made in England, and a large amount of the taxes collected here were spent there.  This was so unjust and burdensome that the people here determined to change it and make a new nation and choose their own rulers to make their laws and collect and spend their taxes here at home.  And they resolved to do this even if it meant a long and bloody war, which it did.  So on July 4, 1776 they made their Declaration of Independence and it is this that we now celebrate every July 4^th.  For a great many years the celebration was largely in fireworks and shooting guns and cannon.  I don’t know why this way was chosen unless because people like the blaze of fire, the smell of gunpowder and the noise of explosion, but a great many persons were hurt by it and some were killed every 4^th of July and a great deal of property was burned up, until now in many places fireworks etc. are prohibited by law and this is why we have our pleasant little celebration.”

A program was printed giving the details of the parade, with the various grandchildren and their horses assuming the roles of characters from mythology, fairy tales, and literature.  Isaac Scott and Helen Macbeth (Frances Glessner’s sister) made the banner which read, “THE ROCKS, JULY 4^th.”  Frances Glessner Lee, in her usual highly efficient manner, served as “stage manager,” coordinating and the details of timing, props, etc.  Following a variety of races and another parade, this time on bicycles, John Glessner awarded prizes to the participants.  Not surprisingly, every child won a prize – a crisp new $1.00 bill.

The printed program, entitled “THE GLORIOUS FOURTH OF JULY, Patriotic Celebration at THE ROCKS 1911,”  announced the following participants and activities:

ORDER OF PROCESSION

Grand Marshal on Horseback

Which is Mrs. George Glessner on Dixie Crow

Herald riding Boabdil and carrying Banner

Frances Glessner and Bob

Queen Mab bestriding Pegasus

Emily Glessner on Queen

Cobweb and Mustardseed

Diminutive fairy princesses, drawn by miniature horses in midget jaunting car

Frances and Martha Lee with ponies

Queen Elizabeth in Chariot of State

Drawn by black charger Bucephalus

Elizabeth Glessner in cart with Harry

Titania, Queen of Fairies

Mounted on Firefly

Frances Sullivan on Bessie

Cinderella, escorting Prince Charming in Pumpkin Coach

Drawn by Æsculapius

Barbara Beattie and John Glessner with Doe

Oberon, driving Ginger and Blue Blazes in Carriole

With Hyacinth and Squash Blossom in back seat

John Lee and Florence and Loyal Betts, with Ruby and Belle in pony wagon

Mercury on a Heaven-kissing Hill

Togo in solitary grandeur

Flower and Other Fairies with the horses of Helios

Driven by Phaethon in the Chariot of the Sun

Sam and Topsy in Charibanc, driven by Charlie Green, and containing the three Maxners and three Greens

Exhibition of Lady Equestriennes

(Excuse the Tantalogy)

Barbara Beattie on Doc

Frances Sullivan on Dandy

Frances Lee on Buster

Frances Glessner on Queen

RACES—Open to All

Marathon—Prize for Fastest Runner—No Handicap

Sack Race

Uni-legged Contest

Bi-legged Competition

Tri-legged Struggle

Quadrupedal Effort

BICYCLE PARADE

AWARDING OF PRIZES

STAGE MANAGER . . . MRS. FRANCES G. LEE

It sounds as though it was a glorious Fourth of July indeed!

Next week:  The Chicago Museum, Part II