The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-03-07


Mr.. Editor February 20, and 81 q,
will long be remembered by the citizens
of Washington, and those who visited
Washington at that time, for upon those
days they celebrated the laying of the
first wooden pavement ever laid down in
this city, and inaugurated an annual fes-
tival to be carried out each coming year.
Before proceeding to describe the festiy-
ties which frightened the dull routine Of
every day life here at the Capitol of the
Nation, it may be well to say word or
two in regard to the origin and meaning
of the celebration. When the work Of
replacing the cobble stones with new
and improved wooden pavement on Penn
sylvania avenue was commenced, it was
suggested that when the work was COM
peted it would be well to have holiday
in which all could participate, the sug-
gestion was well received, and the above
days agreed upon to hold the celebration,
or as it was called here, the Carnival
The committees who had charge Of the
various duties assigned them, worked
late and early to make everything pleas
ant they made arrangements with number
OF railroads too carry passengers for half
fare, and for week before the time set
for the "Carniva' strangers poured into
the city from every quarter, until the
hotels were filled to overhowing, among
the arrivals we noticed number from
Vermont, and from old Midd. we had our
old friend DIR. Nat Harris, and from Bur-
lington DR.. VIM. S. Harris who took
rooms at the st. Marc Hotel, they had q
large front room, which was designated
Vermont headquarters, where they enter.
tanned their Vermont fricnds-and by the
way they have host Of thcm-and gave
them good view of the Carnival" with
out paying the enormous sum which was
paid for windows along the avenue.
The first day was set apart for horse
trottng, goat-racing foot-racing and a
grand procession of the different societies
Of the city, including the butchers, base
ballers, fircmcn, &C., and in the evening
fireworks, which closed the first days
fun.
The second day of the Carnival" was
the day, for fun and sport, on this day
they had some trials Of speed, and then
the avenue was open to all who wished to
show their equipagcs, from the five in
hand, down to the common lumber-box
wagon. DR.. Hclmbold the great Buchu
medicine man was here with his splendid
bays, five in hand, and five splendid hors-
es they were, well matched, and could
trot in 2,40; then the tournament came
next, this shows good riding and consists
of taking rings suspended in mid air,while
their horses are on full gallon, this is a
very difficult feat, and requires good
danl of Invto~;.y, -r..l this came the
Masqueraders, and there was long process
sion, reaching from one end of the avenue
to the other, while large numbers walked
with the crowd down the sidewalks, after
which they appeared with transparancies
and torches, and along the whole line ro-
man candles and skyrockets were being
continually fired, it was grand scene;
space forbids to mention many of the car
ricatuses, but we cannot let the division
known as the ''Womans Rights" 90 by
without mention, this consisted of men
at work, some doing house work, taking
care of babies, and running sewing mach
ines, &C., then came the first female Pre-
sident with her court around her, female
artillery, firemen, military companies &c.
&c., after which came wagon drawn by
small donkey on which sat Reavis draw
ing off the Capitol, with the words on
each side Of the vehicle, "For St. Louis,
via Duluth, and Zubee Dam," "For Soot-
vile, via Foolstown.' In the evening
masqucrades, balls,a and fireworks conclud-
ed the festivities of the occasion. The
avenue a. was brilliantly illuminated, and
ilR'i nfRiaen, formerly of Middlebury.
Among those from Middlebury who
enjoyed the pleasure of witnessing the
Carnival from DR.. Harris room were -
Sat" Phelps and family, Miss Hattie
Phelps, Mr.. w. Tilden and wife, Fletcher
Chapman, Willie Sheldon, Daniel Bar
rett, II. G. Ellis and wife, Miss Vile
Langworthy, Mr.. j. F. Bolton and wife,
and from Burlington, Col, D. b. Peck
and wife A. D. Adams and wife, Mrs. b.
H. Dewey, Mrs. Riley Adams and
2. II. Hogan. You see Vermont was
pretty well represented, and especially
Middlebury and Burlington.
1t was estimated that there were 50,-
900 strangers in the city during the two
days. And take it all in ALL the affair
was well conducted, and reflects great
credit on its managers. "E."