The Coolidge, Asenath Carver 1830-1915 creator Coolidge, Cassius M. (Cassius Marcellus) 1844-1934 text utu 2012 monographic en 1 online resource : multiple file formats "The Independence Day Horror at Killsbury" by Asenath Carver Coolidge is a fictional novel written in the early 20th century. The work explores the darker side of Independence Day celebrations, focusing on the tragic consequences of reckless fireworks use, especially for children. The narrative centers around the Cornwallis family, particularly the beautiful young boy Laurens, whose life is irrevocably changed by a horrific accident during the festivities, highlighting the dangers lurking behind patriotic celebrations. At the start of the story, readers are introduced to the idyllic setting of Killsbury on Independence Day, where the joy of celebration quickly contrasts with the ominous dangers of fireworks. The Cornwallis family, particularly Laurens, experiences a bittersweet birthday filled with pomp and tradition, while the foreshadowing of potential tragedy looms in the background. As the day progresses, tensions mount as Laurens's safety becomes a concern, especially with the presence of Millionaire Schwarmer, who irresponsibly distributes dangerous explosives to children. The opening chapters set the stage for a poignant exploration of innocence lost and the urgent need for societal reform regarding holiday celebrations that endanger children, showcasing the author's critique of such customs. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Release date is 2012-04-19 Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive.) Original publication data not identified Didactic fiction Children -- Death -- Fiction Fourth of July -- Fiction Fireworks -- Fiction PS Original publication data not identified https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39479 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39479 UtSlPG 260607 20260610133914.0 39479