Yesterday was Emancipation Day, and nowhere was it more evident than in Moberly, the Magic City. Excursions from all directions brought in thousands of visitors, with estimates ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 people.

The day’s main attractions were two big picnics, one at Miller’s Park and the other in Hogan’s Pasture. Rev. Bates and his team organized the event at Miller’s Park, while Parson Grimes led the activities at Hogan’s Pasture. Both locations saw large crowds.

At the fairgrounds, a baseball game between Moberly and Des Moines ended with a 10-6 victory for the locals. Despite some minor disturbances and a few scraps, the day was mostly peaceful given the size and nature of the crowd. Several bands provided music for the various attractions.