Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-09-06
The Reading Centennial Celebra-
ton.
A COMPLETES SUCCESS.

OF the settlement OF thdL toWh. Inc uay
was very lavorabe-especially SO, when
compared with the usual number of
stormy and uniavorable days for such
gatherings this season-just cloudy
enough at times to prevent any uncom-
fortableness from the heat of the sun.
The exercises were held in large
meadow nearly opposite the hotel in
Felchville. The people began to gather
in the morning, and by 10l o'clock 1000
were assembled of whom over 5000 were
comfortably seated under the spacious
tent, on the east side of which was a
large platform upon which were the
officers, speakers, music, &c, Of the day.
The procession was formed at little
past ten o'clock in front of the hotel aud
marched through the street to the tent,
under the direction of Mr., l.. G. Cool
edge, the Chief Marshal, and led by the
Woodstock Cornet Band. DIR, w. S.
Robinson was president of the day, and
made an appropriate speech of welcome,
and Rev. j. S. Small of the Felchville
Baptist Church made prayer.
THE ADDRESSES.
These preliminaries over, the presi-
dent introduced Gilbert A. Davis, ESQ.,,
who delivered the historical address.
This address instead of being dry and
prosy, as the details of such essays must
often times necessarily be, was among the
finest and most interesting features OF
the day. Mr.. Davis gave sketch of
the history of the town from its first set
Element to the present time, including
anecdotes and mention of prominent in
dividuals. The address was of course
received with great favor and applause,
especially at the close, where the speak
er paid so handsome tribute to the
soldiers of old Reading who had fallen
while in the service of the country dur
ing the late rebellion.
This address was followed with excel
lent music by both the Choir and the
Band
Rev. T. j. Sawyer, D. d., of Tufts
College, Mass, then delivered the com
memorative address. He spoke without
notes in free, easy and very pleasant
manner. He was one of the natives, ?
and his address, too, proved one of the
best things of the day, and was received
with strong demonstrations of approba-
ton and satisfaction. We attempt no
abstracts of either Mr.. Davis or DR.
Sawyer's addresses, as we hope to see
them reported in full at future day.
DIR. Sawyer's address was followed with
music by the Band aud after an invoca.
ton by Rev, j. L. Smith of Weathers-
field, free collation. was furnished to
all present.
THE COLLATION..
This was very prominent and lead
ing as well as laborious feature of the
day. Tables were arranged around the
outside of the tent and ON three sides Of
a hollow square, and were not only most
beautifully supplied, but many of Them
were laid with cakes, and rich viands in
forms of beauty and skill And from
those tables the whole multitude were
served. 1t was the work of the fair
hands of the present generation of that
good old town, and in which every long
absent son and daughter of Reading
there present felt just pride. The au-
dience remained in their seats and the
table committee passed the refreshments
AN INCIDENT.
During the intermission, pleasing in
cident occurred, exciting the martha
spirit of the old, and the enthusiasm o.
the young. Maj. Abial Persons Of Clar
endon, Vermont, Sc years of age
native Of Reading and Drum Major
in the war OF 1872 came upon Tho
stand and heat the reveille, double drag
and the "long roll with the vigor anc
perfection of youth OF course he wa,
received with great cheering. During :
portion of the time he was accompanied
by fife and base drum the latter th,
first We ever saw, some thirty-fve or for
ty years ago. The fife was played b,
Mr.. Megrath, who must be toward sev
enty, and the latter by Mr.. Shervin o
about the same age. Later in the da,
this demonstration was repeated, anC
the house Cor teDD was brought dowl
when Mr.. Persons very innoeently re
quested the fifer to play some of the oil,
tunes of 1872, which were further bacI
than Mr.. Megrath's experience extend
, ed
AFTER DINNER.
: The audience were called to order il
a the afternoon with Hail Columbia
r by the Band, and singing by the Choir
D and followed by an historical poem b
5 Mrs. Frances (shedd) Baker of Chester
, We heard just enough of this to feel al
! exceedingly sharp appetite for it, and