Centennial Year Stirred Sullivan County With Speeches, Fireworks and Local Pride

By Mike Scott

MILAN, Mo. — As the United States prepared to mark its 100th birthday in 1876, Sullivan County residents were already talking about more than a Fourth of July celebration.

They were talking about memory, history, progress and how “Old Sullivan” should take its place in the nation’s Centennial year.

Early that January, The Milan Republican urged local citizens to make the coming anniversary of American independence a countywide event. The paper argued that the occasion “ought to be observed in every county, city and town throughout the country,” and suggested that each county prepare an address telling the story of its early settlement, pioneers, hardships, growth, resources, industries and prospects.

“Old Sullivan has been settled a goodly number of years,” the paper wrote, saying the Centennial would be an appropriate time for one of the county’s older settlers to prepare an address for the Fourth of July. The newspaper called for people from all parts of the county to offer suggestions and asked plainly: “What say our people to this suggestion?”

The idea fit the national mood. Across the country, attention was fixed on the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, a world’s fair meant to show the progress of the United States during its first century. Local newspapers carried items about the exhibition, national politics, President Ulysses S. Grant, Gen. John C. Frémont, and the lingering corruption scandals of the era.

Even the lighter items had a Centennial flavor. One clipping joked that a Centennial shave from a bad barber would still “make you look red handsome,” while another warned business owners that those who had not been advertising should remember it was “centennial year” and make their business known “every century, at least.”

There was humor, but also anxiety. One newspaper item said Americans should be on their best behavior during the Centennial year because so many foreign visitors would be in the country “taking notes.” The same piece admitted that might be difficult with a presidential election approaching, predicting that political excitement could bring “all the bad elements of society” to the surface.

In Sullivan County, however, the focus turned toward celebration.

By June, plans were taking shape for a large Centennial gathering at Kiddville. The program called for 13 guns to be fired at sunrise, followed by a 9 a.m. procession led by the Kirksville Brass Band. The day’s events were to include vocal music, prayer by the Rev. L.L. Terry, a reading of the Declaration of Independence by O.H. Ferrel, dinner and refreshments, patriotic toasts, speeches and an oration by S.M. Pickler of Kirksville.

One of the day’s biggest attractions was to be a “Grand Balloon ascension” with a mammoth balloon 25 feet in circumference. The organizers also announced that the sale of intoxicating liquors would be prohibited on or near the grounds.

The committee promised “plenty of good water” and said arrangements had been made for the comfort and convenience of all who attended. “Everybody is respectfully solicited to attend,” the notice said, “as we expect to have a glorious old time.”

A follow-up note from Kiddville said organizers were making “fine headway” securing speakers, music and attractions. A pole 100 feet long was already on the grounds to be raised on the Fourth, and the committee expected one of the grandest celebrations ever held in that section of the country.

“Let everybody and his wife come, and bring all the babies,” the notice declared.

Milan also marked the day in grand fashion, though the morning began badly. A report published after the celebration said the Fourth opened with a “rainy, disagreeable morning” after one of the hardest rains of the season. For a while, many feared the country crowd would not come.

By about 9 a.m., however, the sun came out, and Milan came alive.

Cannons began booming, church bells rang, firecrackers popped and guns and pistols were discharged as the celebration started in earnest. Businesses and private homes were decorated, flags were raised, and bunting was unfurled from many windows. Soon, people were pouring into town from every direction — on horseback, in wagons and on foot.

The newspaper described a crowd that included elderly residents, middle-aged men and women, young men and ladies, little boys and girls, and “pretty little babes,” all mingling together for the holiday.

By 1 p.m., the crowd moved to the grove in Kern’s Addition for the formal program. The exercises included music by Prof. Spake’s band, a national air by Prof. Bate’s selected choir, an address of welcome by J.W. Halliburton, an oration by Hon. G.W. Barnett of Unionville, music, songs, an address by D.M. Wilson of Milan, an address by De L. Miller of Milan, and a toast, “Our Fathers vs. Young America,” with a response by Prof. M.D. Hurst.

The day drew a large crowd. The newspaper reported that at least 3,000 people attended, and “not a solitary drunk or disturbance marred the pleasures of the day.”

“Taken as a whole,” the report concluded, “our Centennial Fourth was a complete success.”

The Centennial spirit also connected Sullivan County residents to the larger national celebration. One item reported that J.H.B. Smith and Moses Baer had returned after several weeks visiting the Centennial, friends and relatives. They reported “having a big time” and seeing what the paper called a “terrible sight.” Smith also visited Washington, D.C., where he became acquainted with President Grant “in a novel manner,” though the paper teased readers by saying it would not attempt to tell the story.

The nation’s 100th birthday was not simply a date on the calendar. In Sullivan County, it became a reason to gather, look backward, measure progress and imagine what the next century might bring.

The newspapers of 1876 show a community eager to be part of the national moment. There were speeches, brass bands, balloons, fireworks, jokes, warnings, patriotic songs and proud local celebrations. But beneath it all was a larger question: how should a young county in a young nation remember its beginning?

For Sullivan County, the answer was clear.

Tell the story. Raise the flag. Fire the cannon. Gather the people. And celebrate the first 100 years.