Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-30
PLAIN AND ORNAIENTAL PRINTING.
Pj,,sbUrgb Centennial Celebration.

The One Hundredth Anniversary of the oe-
cupation of Fort Dquesne by the British, was
celebrated at Pittsburgh on the 25th of Novem-
Der, 1858, with great pomp and circumstance.
1t was, says the Gazette, ''a grand centennial
ovation to the memory of great man as well
as of great event. Pitt, who succeeded Gren-
vile as Premier of Great Britain, has left his
impress upon the world. Under the former,
the colonies languished; by the defeat of Brad
dock, Western Pennsylvania in particular was
left at the mercy of bloody foe and no efficient
measures were taken to roll back the bloody
tide, Pitt took the helm, and from Far India
to the Mississippi the electric influence OF great
genius ran through the world. Pennsylvania
felt it, and in the overthrow of Fort Duquesne
and its subiugation to British use and behest,
a barrier was erected against Indian invasion,
in the whole valley of the Ohio and of the West.
1t was gallant day--thai of the 25th Novem-
Der, I75s.
The great feature of the Centennial Celebra-
ton was the Procession. There were from fif-
teen to twenty thousand persons in the line,
representing nearly every profession and oeeu-
patton of the industrious Pittsburghers, and the
regions round about for an hundred miles. Nine
military companies led the host. The next
division was composed of United States, State,
and City officials, Soldiers of 1912, and invited
guests Then came the Farmers, a grand pa
rade, followed by the pack horses of the olden
time when goods were thus brought over the
Alleghenies The type on which the first copies
of the Pittsburgh Gazette were printed, were
brought on pack saddle over the mountains in
l7s6. Theidentical saddle and bags used by Gen.
Joseph Markle in packing salt in 1892, were in
the procession, several men acting as scouts, to-
gether with many other curious relics. A wag-
on with huge wooden wheels, the style most in
vogue less than century ago, followed the pack
horses. a movers family occupied the wag-
on. Then came a wagon with a plow OF
fifty yeaIs ago and another of to day. The
Farmers division attracted much attention. :
The Fire Companies, nine in number COM
posed the next division; and the next of about
twenty delegations from the Rolling Mills aud
Steel Works, made most magnificent display.
The Glass Blowers made an unique turnout
The standard bearers bore aloft glass vases,
pitchers and goblets, while each man had on his
head glass helmet, beautiful and wonderfully
executed The various trades of the city were
appropriately represented, and the coal miners
turned out several hundred strong, with the
implements Of labor in motion. The Conesto-
ga wagons and teamsters which succeeded the
pack horses between Philadelphia and Pitts
burph were feature of the exhibition. The
procession closed with an immense throng of
Societies, American, Protestant, and Catholic,
and the grand spectacle was two hours and
twenty minutes in passing given point.
The procession proceeded to Duquesne De-
pot, building 666 feet in length by l3O in
width, the floor unbroken by post or pillar. 1t
was adorned with evergreens and brilliantly
lighted with gas. The venerable Judge Viii
kins presided, and prayer was offered by the
venerable DR.. Heron, one of the earliest minis
tiers of the West Letters were read from
President Buchanan, Senator Seward, Senator
Cameron, Gov. Packer, etc, and an eloquent
Grafton was pronounced by the Hon. a. W
Loomis. At about P NJ. cannon fired part
ing salute, and the grand pageant was over.