Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-06
Dall0mell l0cal Nems.

The Centennial Fourth" was ushered in on
Tuesday morning in this city, just as the city
clocks struck the hour of tweve-the closing vi
bration of past century-by the ringing of our
church bells, the firing of cannon, the cracking
of pistols and fireworks generally, together with
the footing Of tin horns and accompanying har-
monies; conglomeration of sounds, concordant
and otherwise, calculated to arouse the slumbers
if not the patriotism of the average citizen, and
excite the enthusiasm of young America" to an
unbounded extent. During the small hours of
the morning, and in fact with short intermissions,
during the day and evening, the tumult continued,
though not OF boisterous or dssipated character.
Many of our citizens participated in the various
excursions of the day, either to Lewiston, SPUR
rel Island, Swan Island or elsewhere and returned
at late hour to their once more quiet homes for
rest and repose after the exctements, and perhaps
enjoyments of the occasion. A heavy shower in
the afternoon with one of less severity at later
hour, served to give variety to the general pro-
gramme, and somewhat interfere with pyrotechni-
cal displays OF the evening; though on the whole,
the exhibition in different parts of the city was by
no means a failure. But little drunkenness or
rowdyism manifested during the day in this
locality. We doubt not the anniversary was one
of more than average enjoyment to the millions
participating in all parts OF our land, it mani
testify in our city and State. As we enter upon
new century of national existence, we trust
it may also be one of religious, moral and politi
cal prosperity and true greatness. From the
earlier days of our national existence along
through the century our progress has been rapid
and marked by many of the noblest and most
brilliant achievements of all past time and, as
we enter upon new era of national expansion,
the imagination utterly fails to furn adequate
date from which to estimate the attainments of
another completed century. Let the pen of 1876
furnish the brilliant record
We learn that man belonging in Augusta fell
from the excursion train from Lewiston on its re-
turn at about three O'Clock Wednesday morn
ing. The accident secured between Gardiner
and this city. No great damage to the victim, and
none to the train.
Our Torrent Boys won the second prize,
beautiful silver trumpet, at the fremans contest
at Lewiston on the Fourth, playing over two hun
dred feet 1t takes an unusually smart tub to
contend successfully with our Torrent Our first
men pride themselves on their trumpet achieve
ments, and they will soon have enough to supply
not only all the officers but also a large fraction
of the company members.
Several signs were mysterlously changed dur
ing Monday night, and it was difficult to deter
nine whether the City Agency was still on Wa
ter street. or had been removed to Central street;
or whether Sawtelle still continued to deal in
wool had transferred his business to one of our
leading druggist firms. The conspicuous leash"
store of the "Sovereigns of Industry" was most
uncereplonousy turned into a hash mill. There
were other transformation of lesser note in vari-
ouf parts of the city, all intended doubt to be
more or less significant. and might be explained
possibly if one could only fathom the profound
minds of the particpators in the delightful exer-
else.
The excursionists to Squirrel Island on the
Fourth did not arrive home till near midnight.
The storm interiered some what with the pleasure
of the OCCASION