Litchfield enquirer., 1876-07-13
The Fourth in woIcottyilIe.


 of according to programme. and was creditable to the town. The old century was hustled ont of existence, and the new one ushered in, amid the roar of ar- tillery, the ''tintinnabulations of the bells" the "rockets red glare" general and 2 parade of the Conti- mental Centennial cadets; the whole inter- spersed with frantic expressions of de- light by the small boys. r~r-.s
 Early in the morning, our band gave us little fine music. as they took their departure for the nights of Goshen. About nine o'clock the Terryville band arrived and gave concert from the band stand till ten. In the mean time the children were gathering: those from the village, at the school building. those from outside districts, at the town nall. At 1O:30 o'clock the formation of the line was commenced. and soon after the pro- cession started for Valley Park in the fol. lowing order: Centennial Continental Ca- dets with drum corps; Terryyille band; Wolcottville schools; schools from the town; citizens. The line of 800 children, the girls dressed Tn white, and wearing tri-colored sashes, and the boys carrying small flags, was beautiful sight. On arriving at the grounds. all were soon seated under the grand old pines; and the exercises commenced. First there was the singing of Centennial hymn by the children, followed by an appropriate prayer by Rev. Mir. Smith. The presi- dent of the day, Mir. G. H. Welch. was unable to be present. and Mir. Lauren Wetmore performed the duties of that office in most acceptable manner. Af- ter singing of ''The Star Spangled Ban- ner" by full chorus, the Declaration of Independence was read by l.. Perrin D. D. followed by Whittier's Centennial Hymn. The Speech of Jobn Adams" delivered by Master Willard Coles. and the read ing of. Independence Bell," by Miss Helen Hayden. we'll deserved the hearty applause which they received, After an other song by the children, deliberate attack was made by the young people. up- on the tables which were over 400 feet in length, and loaded with tempting dis play of provisions. The charge was we'll sustained and produced great havoc among the eatables. but the forces were finally compelled to retire. The tables were soon re-provisioned and fortified at every possible point. The siege was re- newed with great vigor, the older people now being called to the front. The shock was terrific along the whole line, and many acts of individual daring and prow- ess might be recorded, not few reck- lessly exposing their precious lives to some of "the ills that flesh is heir to" Wherever any point showed signs of weakness, it was immediately strengthened from innumerable baskets, by the valiant garrison of young ladies, who heroically stood their ground behind the barricade. The slaughter was immense, but the forces were finally obliged to retire. which they dld in good order. An inspection of the tables after the conflict ceased, revealed the fact that longer attack could have been successfully resisted. Among the after-dinner speeches from the platform, the one by Lauren Wetmore. giving an account of the early settlement of the town and village, was of peculiar interest. Short addresses were made by Rev.. Dr. Perrin, Rev. MT. Ferguson of Torfingford, Rev. H. Q. Judd of Water town, and the exercises closed with sing ing the National hymn America" It was calculated that 2500 hundred people were on the grounds. A pleasant feature of the celebration was the freedom from drunkenness and rowdyism which some. times mar such gatherings.
 In the evening there was good dis play of fireworks; thus the Centennial celebration ended, but the memory of the day will finger in the minds of many for years to come. X
 The Rev. Henry M. Sherman of Tar -iffville, has received call to the rectorate of Trinity parish. We have not yet learn ed whether he has accepted.
 One of the handsome elms near the Granite Block, was cut down last week, to .allow.the others to spread, we suppose.
 Centennial tree planting is the order of the day.
 The Naugatuck river is very low.