Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-04-29
CONCORD AND LEXINGTON.
Centennial Celebration Of the FirZS
Battles OF tho American Aevo>
luton.
AT CTconD.

echoes of patriotic cannon, beginning with
salute of 100 guns at sunrise, one for
each year Of American liberty. The day
opened cold and clear The sun shone
with an added brilliancy. People were
early abroad and the streets were bright
with gay uniforms and flags that over
spread them for miles. The town truly
presented q gala appearance. Many OF the
houses were most handsomely decorated.
The local company marched to the Fitch
burg depot ct half-past seven q. m. to re-
ceive those military organizations that
came by the early trains. People poured
in by every conceivable avenue, and the
town was soon fall.
The procession started about 1870
O'Clock and was about two miles long, about
5000 people participating. The process
sion passed down Main street to the
Square and thence over the historic road
to the battle ground, where French's
monument of the " Minute-man" was I'm
yelled amid the firing of guns. The pro-
ccssion was magnifcently brilliant and
was in five divisions.
On arriving at the grand tent the Presi-
dent and the other distinguished guests
entered, and an address was delivered by
Ralph Waldo Emerson.
A poem was contributed by James Rus.
sell Lowell and an Grafton by George Will
lam Curtis. Before the Grafton was con-
cluded the chilliest Of winds began to
blow, and during the extended remarks of
Curtis large portion of his audience dis
pcrsed, while the music of many bands
disputed with him for the peoples
attention. All the settees gave way under
the great pressure. The President left be-
fore the Grafton was concluded, and was
driven, at his own request, in private
carriage to Lexington, Gov CASTOR and
staff going by train. By the time the
people had crushed into the dinner-tent q
little before two o'clock, the air was ex-
cessively cold, with snow falling occa-
sionally.
Judge E.. r. Hoar was President Of the
Day, and was seated at the side of the great
tent On his right were Ralph Waldo
Emerson, the Rev. Grindale Reynolds,
Chaplain of the Day, and Gen. Hawley, of
Connecticut. On his left were George
William Curtis, the orator of the occasion,
Speaker Blaine and Senator Boutwell,
The Governors of the New England States
occupied the tables near by with their
stats. a
After dinner was disposed Of Judge Hoar
made an address and gave as the first reg
ular toast, "The 10Th of April, ITS" In
the absence of the President Speaker
Blaine responded in a patriotic speech.
" Paul Revere's Ride was toasted, and
a grandson of Revere was called out.
Senator Boutwell, responded to toast
and was followed by Cows. Ingersoll of
Connecticut Peck Of Vermont, and Ding
sponded for Rhode Island; Gen. Hawley
for Connecticut.
Judge Hoar made an address, and, to
close, read letter from Frederick Doug
lass, which breathed the true spirit of the
occasion. This brought the exercises to
close.
During the delivery Of the speeches the
day gradually grew colder, and the people
slowly deserted the pavilion, until, by the
end Of the after-dinner ceremonies, there
were not 100 present. During the after
noon all the visiting military companies
departed, 80 as to reach home early to-
morrow, and by five o'clock the village
had assumed somewhat deserted appear
ance when compared with the 30 900 with
in its limits at noon
The crushing and crowding at the cars
were simply indescribable.
In the evening grand ball was given in
Agricultural Hall, which was beautifully
decorated. The President and part Of his
party made their appearance about 1913 !
and were the center Of attraction. The
scene was a very brilliant one. A supper
was served at midnight, and the great day,
with its crowd and wealth of history, was
over.
AT LEXINGTON.
LEXINGTON, April 49,
With the thermometer at 20 deg, cloud
less sky ushered in the 10Th of April, that
glorious day for America 100 years ago.
At Eve O'Clock the old town was instinct
with life and hustle, and, with the ringing
of bells and the booming of cannon, the
imagination readily required to the dis
tant past when the embattled farmers
stood upon the green and resolved If there
must be war 1t would begin here. Long
before day carriages and wagons, well
filed, and pedestrians began pouring into
town. Booths and extemporized res
taurants went mp on every corner. At
nine O'Clock the whole town was alive
with moving, busting humanity; and
muster tents, with their gay decorations,
and flags and streamers huttering from
every house presented most cheering and
inspiring aspect. The arrangements in
every particular were complete. Promptly
at ten o'clock the ceremonies in the tent be-
gan, the immense pavilion being crowded
to overlooking, and thousands surging
about the entrance unable to gain admis-
sion. A raw, cold wind had prevailed from
the stsince nine o'clock, rendering 1t ex-
tremely uncomfortable, and testing the
patriotic enthusiasm Of the vast multitude
TO the utmost extent. At ten O'Clock the
of the Lowell Road tele-
graphed to Boston to sell no more tickets
for Concord, the single track being so
blocked UP with immense trains that it
was impossible to transport them beyond
To this fact Lexington is in
debted 70 several thousand who were COM
PEELED to remain here from want Of trans
portation.
The exercises In the tent embraced an
opening address by Thomas M. Stetson,
President of the Day; prayer by the Rev.
Mr.. Westcott; hymns by the Boylston
Club, and the unwilling Of the statues by
the Hon. Charles Hudson. The Hon.
Richard H. Dana, Jr., delivered the ora
ton. A benediction and military music
brought the tent exercises to q finale.
The procession was Immediately formed
and followed out the line of route as pre-
viously arranged. The President and
a