Palmyra and Marion County Marked Centennial Year with Meetings, Parades, Sermons, and Rain-Soaked Celebrations

By Mike Scott

PALMYRA, Mo. — In 1876, the Centennial year reached Palmyra and Marion County in almost every form imaginable.
There were public meetings, newspaper notices, patriotic speeches, business advertisements, church gatherings, warnings about fireworks, letters from other towns, reports from the great
Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, and finally, Fourth of July celebrations marked by rain, mud, flags, bands and long processions.
By late May, The Palmyra Spectator was urging citizens to organize a proper countywide observance of America’s 100th birthday. One notice called on “all good citizens” to attend a Centennial Fourth of July celebration meeting at the courthouse on Saturday, June 3.
“By all means let us have a big county celebration this year,” the paper declared.
The national Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia was also a regular topic in local columns. One report noted that railroad men were disappointed in the volume of Centennial travel, while another said gate receipts on the exhibition’s second day were only about $16,000, raising doubts about whether the fair would be a financial success.
Other items repeated national commentary on the opening of the Centennial, including criticism that President Ulysses S. Grant’s address and Wagner’s music were among the few failures of the
ceremony.
Local merchants quickly tied their advertising to the Centennial mood. E.H. Huling advertised a
“Ladies’ Centennial Pocket-book.” M. McDonald’s store declared that “This Centennial Year of 1876 brings blessings to all in the way of Cheap Dry Goods,” promising a tremendous cut on cotton goods. Reaper and mower advertisements also leaned into the year’s language, offering “Compliments for 1876” and boasting of “The Champion” leading the world.
The Centennial spirit extended beyond trade and politics. The Spectator noted the Centennial Class of Hannibal College and acknowledged an invitation to a proposed entertainment at Brittingham Hall. Churches also used the language of the year. The Bethel Baptist Association called for a “Centennial Missionary Meeting” at Ebenezer Church in Marion County on July 29 and 30, urging members to gather in the Centennial year and devote two days to missionary work.
As the Fourth approached, fireworks were also a concern. Palmyra Mayor Henry Drescher issued a proclamation after the National Board of Fire Underwriters warned of increased danger from the “extended celebration” of Centennial Independence Day. The proclamation ordered the marshal and police to caution against violations of a city ordinance prohibiting people within city
limits from setting off or discharging guns, pistols, firecrackers, rockets, torpedoes, squibs or fireworks.
Despite the cautions, celebrations were planned across the area.
Hannibal invited the Spectator to attend its celebration of the Centennial anniversary of American
independence. The paper thanked Messrs. Drescher, Gore and Drane and friends in Hannibal for the invitation, saying that if circumstances permitted, it would join the festivities and honor “our country’s birthday.”
Palmyra also had another attraction on the calendar. A large advertisement announced “The
Great Centennial Sensation” at Palmyra on July 7 — a European Zoological Association
and “World’s Fair on Wheels” managed by Sells Brothers. The show promised a museum, royal
colosseum, equestrian congress, trained animal department, double circus, balloon race, 100 men and horses, 50 cages of wild beasts and a grand procession with flags and music.
The event was promoted as the only “Big Show” to visit Palmyra that season.
The Fourth itself brought reports from nearby Marion County communities.
At Philadelphia, Mo., a July 4 letter to the Spectator said rain interfered “much,” but the town still had a good turnout and “a very nice celebration.” Squire Walker presided. Mr. Moore opened the
speaking, and Wm. R. Anderson and Mr. Kirtley, both candidates, also gave speeches. The
letter said there was “plenty of the best the land could furnish” and that all went away happy after a good time.
At Monroe City, the rain also came down hard. A July 5 letter said the rain poured until 9 or 10 a.m., and the mud was bad, but “there was no going back.” Decorated wagons and horses were brought out, including one car carrying 13 older residents and another representing 38 “new and old States,” illustrated by ladies and gentlemen.
The crowd drove and marched around town, sang songs and cheered for the Fourth of July. Col. McLelland of Lafayette County, a candidate for governor, read the Declaration of Independence
“very spiritedly” and delivered what the correspondent called a fine oration. Mr. McCabe of Palmyra also made two speeches, one in the morning and another after dinner.
“We had a grand time generally,” the Monroe City writer concluded, while also making clear
that the presidential campaign was already on people’s minds.
Hannibal’s celebration was larger and more elaborate. A report said the bustle on July 2 and 3 showed the city was preparing in earnest. Hannibal was filled with floating flags and star-spangled streamers while it waited for the nation’s birthday.
The morning of July 4 was “black and rainy,” but the day brightened.
At noon, sunshine appeared, and by 2 p.m. a procession was in full march. It was headed by the Hannibal State Guards and their band, followed by orders and officials, the Hannibal Cornet
Band, merchants, manufacturers and business men.
The procession stretched more than a mile and was decorated with flags and banners.
The report praised the bands, the business displays, the civic organizations and the work of George M. Harrison, the city marshal, for the orderly and efficient way he handled his duties.
For Palmyra and Marion County, the Centennial year was not confined to one day. It was a season
of national pride and local expression.
Newspapers followed events in Philadelphia, merchants used Centennial themes to sell goods, churches planned Centennial meetings, towns held patriotic gatherings, and public officials tried
to balance celebration with safety.
Rain dampened many of the Fourth of July observances, but it did not stop them. Philadelphia, Monroe City and Hannibal all carried on with speeches, food, music, flags and processions.
A century after the Declaration of Independence, Marion County residents found their own ways to join the national celebration — with courthouse meetings, church calls, patriotic letters, muddy
parades, political speeches and the determination to make “seventy-six” a year worth remembering.