Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-08-01

4
and dusty, bnt with slight Indications
OF rain. The clouds, however, passed
of, and mp to ten O'Clock every promise
was had OF 3 fair day, though still hot
u the extreme. Previous to this hour
.he town WAS fast filling up, and all the
streets, squares, and vacant places were
He'd with 8 living mass OF human be-
ngs, and IS the crowd was a peculiarly
diversified one, being largely intermixed
with various gay uniforms of the fire.
men and the bands, the scene presented
IA particularly attractive appearance.
The trains OF the various roads, as soon
IS they began to arrive were filed to
overaoving, and though extra trains
were rup, and extra cars employed on
Ill of them, every train was densely
packed, so that, exclusive OF the fremen
present who participated in the celebra.
ltion, land there were fully fifteen hun
!dred OF them, it was estimated by good
Judges, that the number of visitors
present from abroad, exceeded ten thou
iand.
In consequence Of the late arrival OF
ZONE of the companies, the procession
vas not formed till about half.psst
eleven o'clock, when a second change
had come over the appearance of the
weather.. Immense black clouds came
Up in the west, and just as the process
ion WAS ready to move the rain came
own in torrents, compelling the men to
eek shelter where they could most con-
eniently find 1T, With this Interrupt
ion, the idea Of the procession was
iven up, thus the multitude lost sight
# what would, doubtless, have been one
If the finest displays of its kind ever
Witnessed in New England, out of the
dties, there being in it nearly two thou
and uniformed men, with sixteen fire
ngines, beautifully trimmed and decor.
tied, FIVE excellent bands and drum
orps of twenty members, as well as
sveral carriages bearing prominent per-
onages. Doubtless, many felt sorry in
heir hearts that the procession was I'M
Ible to complete its allotted line of
march, but | believe the aremen were
veil pleased with this portion of the
celebration.
At two o'clock commenced the contest
or the prizes offered to fire engines, the
ioremen of the several companies having
previously drawn for position.
The contest did not terminate until
about half-past seven o'clock In the even
ing, when Col. Geo. A. Merrill, in 3 few
appropriate remarks awarded the premi-
ums as follows: To Fountain No. of
Brattleboro, the first prize of $500. To
Mazeppa No. 2 Of Fitchburg, the second
prize of 5000. To Geyser No. of Ash
Durham, the third prize of 800. After
the premiums were awarded, our worthy
Foremen with the Engineers Of the Fire
Department, and the Judges in the trial
of machines, partook of an excellent sup
per got up at the Bardwell House ex-
pressly for the occasion. During the
evening the company proceeded to the
residences of several Of the leading citi-
zens Of the place, when the band played
some of their best pieces, which was res
ponded to by several Of the gentlemen
serenaded, among whom were Col. Geo.
A. Merrill, Chief Engineer N. F. Page,
n. L. Davis, Esq, master mechanic Of
the R. g. B. R. R., and Mr.. Ben K.
Chase. Returning to the Bardwell
House, preparations were soon completed
for returning home, which we did on
the train leaving Rutland at twenty five
minutes past one o'clock. Arriving at
FitChburg about eight o'clock, the COM
pany was formed, and marching up Main
street to their engine house, prepared
collation. and partook thereof, after
which the company was dismissed, all
feeling that they had had delightful
trip, and fine time. Every man seemed
to try to do his best, and the gentle
manly manner in which they conducted
Themselves throughout, is worthy of
much credit. Thus passed with US the
ninety-frst anniversary Of our nations
Independence, time, Mr.. Editor, me-
thinks, that will long live in the men,
ory of the "Mazeppa boys"
The following cards also appear in the
same number of the Sentinel as the above,
duly signed by the officers Of Mazeppa
company:
A CARD.-The officers and members of
Mazeppa Engine Co. No. 3 OF Fitchburg,
desire to express their heartfelt thanks
to the Superintendent OF the Rutland
and Burlington and Cheshire Railroads,
also to the gentlemanly conductors who
treated them so handsomely while going
to and returning from the Firemen's
Muster at Rutland on the 4th of July,
1867. Gentlemen, We owe you one
G. E. LOCKE, Foreman.
l. JOHNSON, Clerk.