Independence Day, 1907

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Take it away, Joy. Independence Day 1907. What a familiar photo this was to me as a child. Sherd and Laura Goff and all 10 children who survived into adulthood. But it wasn't until my grandmother Leora, the oldest daughter, died and left her handwritten memoirs that I learned the story behind the photo. Her memories even lured my sister and me to pay a visit to the county seat town of Audubon, Iowa. We always had a big celebration the Fourth of July, Leora wrote. Nearly every town or burg had something doing. We used to get up at daybreak, get our work done, farm chores, and get ready to go to town with a wagon or buggy to see the big parade and stay till the fireworks and then do farm chores when we got home.

We were all tired but glad to have a big day. The Fourth of July when I was 16 years old, she said, that would have been 1907. The citizens of Audubon were awakened that morning by firecrackers in the boom of the old cannon saluting the 45 states comprising our great republic. Ma was probably frying chicken and packing the picnic basket. While the older boys were helping Pa hitch up the horses, the older girls would have helped the four younger ones, button suspenders and high top shoes. Driving the eight miles over dirt roads across the Nishnabata River to Audubon, goths made it in time for the parade. They would have made arrangements for the horses, joining probably dozens of others along with their wagons and buggies. The old newspaper said that the Audubon Marshall Band met the train, which had steamed and chuffed into the station from the south along Market Street, which is now Highway 71. Off stepped families with their dinner baskets, members of the Atlantic Cornet Band, and the day's orator, Senator Shirley Gilliland of Glenwood, a handsome young man pictured with a large mustache.

At 945, the Atlantic Band gave a concert of high class music. A chorus sang patriotic songs an hour later, a reverend offered a prayer, and a schoolboy recited Lincoln's Gettysburg speech. Then, in a strong voice and with a commanding personality, according to the article, Senator Gilliland made a 40 minute address that held the attention of the crowd circumspect in character and conduct.

With the only criticism, the paper said that the speech was too short. Picnicking began at noon. Afterwards, the men would have checked on the horses, and the youngsters and the older folks probably napped on old quilts. While we were eating our dinner, wrote Leora at least 70 years later, the folks thought of having a family picture taken while we were all together. Pa was the only one of the men or boys who had a tie on, and Rolla wanted to go barefoot as he claimed his shoes hurt his feet. I expect they did, as he went barefoot most always. So we went to the picture studio for the picture, and Rolla's bare feet showed. It was the only family picture we ever had taken of us all. Her mother, Laura, was pregnant then with Virgil Cleon, who would only live one year.

In the photo, Laura is wearing her wedding ring on her middle finger, just as she did as an elderly woman. Sports contests began at 1.30. Races even won for fat men of at least 210 pounds. Shot put, tug of war, sack race, pole vault, wheelbarrow race, a drill team, and a baseball game between Audubon and Dedham were on the grounds near the electric light plant. Audubon won 7-1.

There were cash prizes, but no golfs were named among the winners. Although the sun was hot and the mercury ran up to 95 degrees in the government thermometer, there was a delightful breeze in that hilltop park, which is still a lovely area today. Well into her 80s or early 90s, Leora Goff remembered, the day ended with a rain shower in the late p.m. There were no paved roads so we came home in the mud.

Ruby wore white shoes and she got them muddy, but all seemed happy anyway. Is there any wonder that this old photograph taken Independence Day 1907 is one of my earthly treasures, and the story behind it made for a very pleasant day trip to the county seat town of Audubon, Iowa. And great job on that piece by Monty and a special thanks to Joy Neal Kidney for all she does here and just a treasure. By the way, what an idea for someone to be the memoirist in a family, too. I mean, Our American Stories hopefully prompts you to have your American Stories, your family's American Stories, and your town's American Stories. Send them to OurAmericanStories.com. That's OurAmericanStories.com. As you can tell, they're some of our favorites.

We say that, but we really mean it. By the way, he noted that in 1907 there were 45 states. Oklahoma had just missed the cut. They came in in 1907 in November. And of course, New Mexico in 1912, Arizona followed in 1912, Alaska in 1959, and Hawaii followed in August of 59, making it 50. But there was a time when it was 45, and there was a time when it was 13.

And there was a time when there was none. And the Declaration of Independence is what we're really celebrating here today on Independence Day. We should all read it together, by the way, and we read it together as a team every show, every Independence Day.

You should do it as a family. This is Our American Stories. More of our Independence Day special continues after these messages. Folks, if you love the stories we tell about this great country, and especially the stories of America's rich past, know that all of our stories about American history, from war to innovation, culture, and faith, are brought to us by the great folks at Hillsdale College, a place where students study all the things that are beautiful in life and all the things that are good in life. And if you can't get to Hillsdale, Hillsdale will come to you with their free and terrific online courses.

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