Glimpses of the Past
June 27, 1877
All those wishing to organize a company of Callathumpians in this place and have a little sport on the Fourth are requested to meet at the store of Dan Camp, on Saturday evening next at ½ past 7 o’clock. As there will be no celebration here on that day, it is gotten up for a little amusement for the boys. Let all hands go.
July 4, 1887
Pigeon — The Fourth of July was duly celebrated at this place. A picnic was held at N.F. Hegge’s grove, at which a large crowd gathered in the forenoon. The day was occupied by speaking and other entertainments. In the evening, the young people repaired to P. Ekern’s hall and had a dance. Another picnic was had at Ole G. Eid’s. All were gotten up in dandy shape.
July 4, 1896
Hale — The picnic at Mrs. H.A. Scott’s on the Fourth was largely attended, and all present report a pleasant time. In the evening a large number went to the Grange Hall, where a social dance was enjoyed.
July 4, 1906
If there was ever an ideal day, July 4, 1906, was such, and Whitehall citizens and all who celebrated here have reason to be thankful to the clerk of the weather bureau for affording weather so perfect. The parade was good, the businessmen going to considerable expense to prepare floats to represent their establishments. The representation of the states was very nice and the little ones looked their best in their patriotic attire. The new state of Oklahoma was given a place, Miss Faith Van Tassel as its representative. Following the parade addresses were made from the front steps of the courthouse. After dinner the races were had and ball games played at the diamond. It was hard to believe the Whitehall band is but just organized, so proficient have they become. The fireworks could have been much improved but the dance at the tobacco warehouse was a pleasant finale to a very enjoyable day.
July 8, 1915
The management of Whitehall’s Fourth of July celebration has every reason to be proud of the event. Barring an occasional shower, there was nothing to prevent everyone from having a good time. We naturally expected a big crowd, but Whitehall had a genuine surprise, for there never have been so many people within her borders. The parade was a success, and Congressman James Frear of Hudson, the orator, delivered an excellent address in a masterful manner. The races and the gunshoot came off without a hitch, other than the shower at noon, which delayed the former. The big interest centered on the ball game, where several hundred people witnessed the defeat of the Whitehall team by the Blair boys. Two dance halls were well patronized in the evening, and thus ended a very enjoyable celebration.
July 5, 1926
The Fifth of July celebration at Whitehall was all that any true American could ask for. In the wee hours of the morning, a heavy rain fell, but the clouds broke away about seven o’clock and a beautiful summer day dawned. Sound sleep was broken before daybreak by cannonading, which continued at intervals throughout the day and evening. Cars commenced to arrive early in the morning, and before the parade started at 10 a.m., the largest number of cars and people ever at Whitehall had congregated. The crowd was estimated by Anton Melby to be about 12,000, by Tom Gage to exceed 15,000.
July 4, 1936
No estimate has been made of the size of the crowd which watched Saturday’s Fourth of July historical pageant parade in Whitehall, but no one disputes that it was the largest gathering of people in Whitehall’s history. Four nationalities were represented in the parade, the Norwegians, Scots, Germans and Polish, one group of the latter riding on a brilliantly decorated float prepared by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lyga of Independence. Sheriff Ed Gardner turned his car into a display of wildlife, with placards on the side of the float reading “On Wisconsin.”
June 29, 1950
Businessmen of Whitehall are making possible a display of fireworks that will be set off on the municipal golf grounds this coming Tuesday, the Fourth of July. The project is being sponsored by the Lions Club, especially for kiddies who have never seen a fireworks display.
July 4, 1965
The Whitehall Chamber of Commerce and the city will cooperate to stage a Fourth of July fireworks display this Sunday evening. Fire Chief Louis Boehm will again supervise the setting off of the display, which will take place just east of the golf clubhouse.