Valley Girl Views: 4th Of July In Turbotville, 1907-1917

The July 4th Independence Day Parade In Turbotville, 1907

Looking through old newspapers at the early 4th of July celebrations, they all appeared to have several things each year: Two baseball games (one morning, one afternoon, against a neighboring town) a local band, and Mummers.

In Turbotville in 1907, there was a 5 buggy pile up when firecrackers scared a horse after the festivities. (Read More About It Below)

1907

Following the Turbotville Fourth of July festivities in 1907, there was a five buggy collision on the Turbotville Highway leading to McKees Heights.

A number of buggies were following closely after one another on their way home, "When at a dangerous point in the road, one of the horses took fright at a firecracker and ran away, colliding with another buggy. This caused the other horses to take fright, and in a few seconds time there was a dreadful mix up with five buggies, and as many horses along with the occupants of all the carriages in one mass."

Passengers were thrown from buggies, and frightened horses ran off, with the broken buggies, or what remained of them, still attached. Carriage spokes an other fragments were found scattered over two miles, and one of the horses was still missing a day later.

Ralph Rider and Paul Litchard both had broken collar bones, and Mrs Amos Albeck was reported to be badly bruised with possible internal injuries. "No one wholly escaped injury in some form, but with the exception of the above named persons, no one was seriously hurt."

In 1907, The Exchange Band Attended The Parade

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1912

The West Milton Band in the 1912 Turbotville Fourth Of July Parade

"The Fourth was a red letter day in Turbotville and from early dawn until night people arrive at that place to enjoy some part of the interesting program" The Miltonian, July 1912

There were two games of baseball played, both against Muncy. In the morning Turbotville won, in the afternoon game, Muncy won.

"The parade in the afternoon was the best ever held". The West Milton Band furnished the music, and everyone participating in the parade was "dressed in some fancy or comic costume"

There were 30 horseman with riders dressed in every kind of costume from medieval knights to modern circus clowns.

Mummers Ed Wagner & Scott Frymire in the 1912 parade

The Exchange Band gave a concert at the end of the parade.

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1917

The United States had just joined World War 1 in April of 1917, and the local newspapers were full of articles on who was leaving to serve. I could find no mention of the 4th of July festivities in Turbotville that year, although they obviously occurred.